The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-01-29

pace. cavorting and iunging UP the
rises and pulling hard on the reins
on the levels. showing a desire 10
run. She held II In. though. realizing
that during the forty mile ride the
animal would have plenty Of oppor-
tunity 70 prove It's mettle.
She reached and passed the quick
sand crossing from which she had
been pulled by Dakota, the pony run
ming with the sure regularity Of a
machine. and was on q level which
led into some hills directly ahead,
when the pony stumbled.
She tried TO Jerk II erect with the
reins, but IN spite Of the effort she
felt II sink under her. and with "a
sensation Of disnay clutching at her
heart she slid out Of tho saddle.
A swift examination showed her
that the pony's right fore-leg was
deep In the sand Of the trail. and she
surmised instantly that II had stepped
into = prairie dog hole. When she
went to It and raised its head II
looked appealingly at her, and she
stifled a groan Of sympathy and be-
gan looking about for some means to
extricate II.
She found this no easy task. for the
pony'0 leg was deep In the sand, and
when she finally dug q space around
It with . branch Of tree which abe
procured from Q nearby grove, the
animal struggled out. only to limp
badly. The leg. Sheila decided after
n quick examination, was not broken.
but badly sprained, and she knew
enough about horses to be certain
that the injured pony would never
be able to carry her 10 LAyotte.
aha vv0sSld m SnrcaA An 40 ~
Double II now. there was nothing else
that she could do. Standing beside
the pony. debating whether she had
not better wink than try to ride hun.
even TO the Double X. she heard clat-
ter Of hoofs and turned to see Dakota
riding the trail toward her. He was
travelling In the direction she had been
travelling when the accident had hap
pened. and apparently had left the
trail somewhere back In the distance
or she would have seen him. Perhaps
she specialized. with. . fash OF dull
anger. he had followed her near "a
Doubler's cabin. perhaps had been
near when she had dragged the wound.
ed hester into II.
His frst word showed her that there
was ground for this suspicion. He
draw. up. beside her and looked ut. hei
with queer smile, and she. aware Of
his guilt, wondered at his composuro
you didn't stay long at Doubler'l
shack" no sud. II was on ridge
back on the trail o ways. and I saw
you hitting the breeze away from there
some rapid. was thinking TO inter-
cept you. but you went tearing by
20 fast that didn't get q chance
You're in an awful hurry. What's
wrong"
'You ought to know that" she said
bitterly angry because Of his pretend
ed serenity. "You-you murderer"
His face paled instantly, but his
voice was clear and sharp.
Murderer he said sternly. who
has been murderedr
You don't know. of COURSE" she
eyes allght with loathing and con-
tempt "Y0u shot HIN and then Lot
me ride on alone--to find him shot
shot In the back! OH" Be-
She shuddered at tho recollection.
held her hands over her eyes for an
instant to keep from looking at the
expression Of amusement In his eyes.
and while she stood thus she heard
movement. and withdrew her
hands from her eyes TO see him
standing beside her. so close that hts
body touched hers. his eyes ablaxe
with curiosity and interest snd ro-
pressed anxiety. She cHtnged and
cried with pain ~ he seixed her arm
and twisted her forcibly around so
that she faced him.
stop this foolins ANA tell mo what
has happeied" he said, with short,
incisive accents. who did you md
shot? Who has been murdered?"
oh n Rsaa ahr, hln artiu0 ~
told herself as she tore herself away
from him and stood back little, her
eyes flashing with scorn and horror.
you don't know. Of course" she
hared. you shot him--shot him In
the back and sent mo on to find him
You gloried In the thought " me
finding him dead. But he isn't dead.
thank God, and will live. II can get
q doctor. to accuse you!" She point
ed a finger at him, but he ignored
1t and took step toward her, his
eyes cold and boring into hers.
"Who?" no demanded. "Who?"
Ben Doubler OH" she cried, In
an excess OF rage and horror. ITO
think that l should have to toll you"
But II he heard her last words he
paid no attention to them. for he was
suddenly at his pony's side, buckling
ti8utcTs DUG WdtcJeu
him., fascinated at the repressed
energy Of his movements. and be-
came SO interested that she started
when he suddenly looked up at her.
He Isn't dead. then" he said
rapidly. sharply. the words coming
with short. metallic snaps. you
we're going to Lazette for a doctor
I'm glad happened along-glad
saw YOU"
I'm DO able to mako better time
than you.
where are you going?" she de-
manded. scarcely having heard his
words. though aware that he was pre- =
pairing 20 leave. She took a step for
ward and seized his pony's bride
rein. her eyes blazing with wrath
over the thought that he should at
tempt TO deceive her with 50 bald a
ruEe.
For the doctor" he said shortly
This 10 no time for melodramaticb
ma'am. II Doubler is badly hurt. VIII
you please let 20 of that bridle?"
DO You think" she demanded. her
cheeks aflame, her hair. loosened
from the long ride, struggling over
her temples and giving her q singu-
larry. disheveilsd appearance. "that
am going 10 let you 60 for the doc
tor? You'll"
This isn't Q case where your feel
inRJ nhould h connidaraA ua,a m u