The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-01-27


some Of them knew something Of the
calf deal. and there was that In Da-
kotA's greeting to Blanca which
warned them OF impending trouble.
Blanca" said Dakota quietly, you
can pay for those caves now"
1t pleased Blanca to dissemble. But
II was plain to Moulin-as II must
have been plain to everybody who
watched Blanca-thAt . shadow
crossed his face q, Dakota's words.
evidently he had entertained . hope
s sox, eac oop'''''' mad not 'ssn DIS
"Calvss1" he said. what calves.
my frien'1" lie dropped his cards to
the table and turned his chair
around. leaning far back In Il and
hooking his right thumb in his car
fridge belt, Just above the holster of
;, HE T. pistol Il thssns II mus b mis-
yes" returned Dakota. . allow.
grimly humorous smile reaching his
face. 1T was . mistake. You made II,
took the calves-they belonged to
him. You're going - pay for them"
II pay for hesmf" The bland smile
on Blanca's face had slowly faded
with the realisation that his victim
was not 70 b further misled By
him. In place Of the smile his face
now wore an oppression OF sneoring
contempt, and his black eyes had
taken on . watchful glitter. He
spoke slcwly' Il pay for no calves.
you'll pay" said Dakota, an ON.
inousiy quiet drawi In his voice.
"Or .whatf" Blanca showed his
white teeth In . tigsrish smirk.
This town amt big enough for
both of U.S." said Dakota, his eyes
cold and alert ~ they watched Blan-
cas- hand at his cartridge belt. "Ons
Of us viii leave It by shutdown. I
He deliberately turned his bssk on
Blanca and walked TO the door. stop
ping down into the street. Blanca
looked after him. sneerins. An tn
1t his companions at the table.
1T amt my funeral" said one OF
the card players. but II was in
your place I'd begin to think that
me stayin' here was crowdin' the
population Of this town by one"
Blanca's teeth cleaned. my frien', y
no said insinuatingiy. ITS your deal. "
His smile grew. "Thees In a nixe coun.
try" he continued. II like Il YER
much. i come back here to stay. Da-
kota-hees got the star too cheap"
ly. Tonight Dakota hoes 70 some-
where else. Tomorrow who takes
the Starr Your" He pointed TO each
Of the card players in turn. "You?''
he questioned. you take N?" Hs
smiled at their negative signs. well
then Blanca take II. Peste! Dakota
give himself till sundown!"
The six o'clock was an hour and
thirty minutes late. For two hours
sheila IAngford had been on the sta.
ton platform awaiting its coming.
A brakeman descended the conduc.
window. two trunks came out Of tho
baggage car. and a tall man OF nifty
alighted and was folded into sheila'a
welcoming arms. For q moment the
two stood thus, while the passengers
smiled alphabetically. Then the man
held Sheila OF at arms length and
looked searchingly at her.
"CryingT he said. what . wei,
"Oh. daddy" said sheiia. In this
moment she was very near to tellina
him what had happened to her on the
day Of her arrival at Laxette. but she
looking Mt her.
Then nothing happened to you
after ALL" he laughed. patting her
cheeks. Nothing. In spite OF my
croaking."
Nothing" she answered. Tho OPP
portuntty was ~gOne now. she was
committed irrevOcably to her secret
You like II here? Duncan has
made himself agreeablew
1T Is q beautiful country. though
little lonesome after-after Albany.
Duncan's sister has done her best.
and I have bean able 70 get along"
The engine bell changed and they
stood side by side a. tho train pulled
slowly away from the platform.
Langford solemnly waved q farewell
TO II.
This II the moment for which
have been looking for months" he
said. with what. It seemed to Sheila.
was almost q sigh OF relief. He
turned to her with q smile. II will
look after the baggage" he said.
and leaving her he approached the
amined the trunks which had como
out Of the baggage car.
She saw tho station agent now.
beckoning to the driver Of the wagon.
and she went over to tho edge Of
the station platform and watched
while the trunks were tumbled into
the wagon.
The trunks were In: tho station
agent held the horses by the brides.
Quieting them; tho driver took up tho
reins; Sheila was helped TO the seat
by her father. he Jumped in himself.
ana they were OF down the street,
toward Q dim trail that led up .
slope that began at tho edge Of town
ana melted into space.
The town seemed deserted. Sheila
saw . man standing near the front
door Of . saloon, his hands on his
hips. He did not appear interested
In either the wagon or Its occu-
pants: his gaxe roved up and down
the street and no nervously nm
gered his cartridge belt. lie was .
brown skinned man. almost olive,
Sheila thought as her gaze rested on
him, attired after the manner Of the
country. with leathern chaps. felt
hat, boots. spurs. neckerchief.
why, II II shutdown already"
Sheila heard her father say. What
a sudden change! A moment ago the
light was perfect"
.uhcopsc,ou. sepsa onIv nermitted