The evening world., 1914-01-26

lighter about her shoulders ana clun8
to the saddle. listening
10 the whining Of the wind through
he trees that thanked her. keeping .
distinct figure Of her guide.
After riding for o Quarter OF an
hour they reached q little clearing
noar the river and Sheila saw her
guide halt his pony and dismount. a
SQUAT, black shape doomed out Of the
darkness near her and, riding closer,
she saw small cabin Of the leAn-to
type, constructed Of adobe bricks. a
dog barked In front OF her and she
heard the stranger speak sharply 70
Il. He silently approached and helped
her down from the saddle. Then no
led both horses away into the dark
ness on the other side of the cabin.
During his absence she found time to
glance about her. It was q dosolato
place. Ind he live here alone?
The silence brought no answer to
this question, and while she conttnuo6
to search out objects In the darkness
she saw the stranger reappear around
the corner Of the cabin and approach
the door. He fumbled at It Tor a
moment and threw II open. He ais
appeared within and an instant later
Shetla heard the scratch OF a match
nnd saw a feeble glimmer OF light
shoot out through the doorway. Then
the strangers voice:
"Come tn"
He had lighted a candle that stood
on a table in the centre OF tho
room. and in its glaring flicker al she
stepped inside Shella caught her first
good view OF the strangers face. Sh0
felt treasured instantly. for It was
GOOD face, with lines denotinR
80 ~, drnnninK
rrlustache did not quite conceal bis
lbs, which were straight and firm.
Sheila was a little disturbed over tho
hard expression In them. however.
though she had heard that tho men
ot tho West lived rather hazardous
lives and she supposed that IN tino
their faces showed II. 1t was his eyes.
though. that gave her q fieeting
glimpse of his character. They were
hlue--a steely. fathomless blue: bat
fling, hooking: swimming- as she
looked into them now-wtth an ex.
preston that she could not attempt
10 analyEe. Ono thing she saw In
them only - recklessness - ana shc
drew a slow. deep breath.
They were standing very close to-
rether. He caught tho deep drawn
breath and looked quickly at her. his
eyes alight and narrowed with an eX-
preston which was a curious ming
ling OF quizzical humor and grim
enjoyment. Her own eyes did not
waver, though his were boring into
hers steadily. as though he were
trying to read her thoughts.
'Afraid?" he questioned with Z
suggestion Of sarcasm In tho curl OF
his lips.
defiance. She studied him steadily.
her spirit battling his over the few
feet that separated them. Then she
~, .peks ,, Ss,in b; S"M evsn'y' Il am
THAT'S right" A gratified smile
broke on the straight. hard lips. A
new expression came into his eyes
admiration. you've got nerve.
ma'am. I'm some pleased that you've
got that much trust In mo. You
don't need to bs scared. You're as
aafo here al you'd be out there" He
nodded toward tho open door.
SAFER" no added with gravs
smile; you might get hurt out
there"
He turned abruptly and went te
the door. where he stood for o Iona
time looking out into the darkness
She watched him for q moment and
thon removed the tarpaulin ant
hung II from q nail in the wall OF
the cabin. Standing near the table
she glanced about her. There wal
only one room In the cabin. but Il
was large-about twenty by twenty
she estimated. Beside an open IRE
place in q corner were several pot
and pans-his cooking utensils. o.
q shelf were some dishes. A guital
swung from q gaudy string sus
pended from the wall. A tin OF to-
bacco and q pipe reposed on anothe
shelf beside . box OF matches. !
bunk filled q corner and she wen
and the bed clothing fresh and sh
smiled q little as she continued he
examination.
The latter finished. she went to
small window above the bunk. look
ing out into the night. The rain cam
against tho glass In singing slants
and watching It she found hersel
feeling very grateful to the man VIII
.. stood In the doorway. Turning alb
ruptly. she caught him watching hel
an appraisinR smile on his race.
"You ought to he hungry by now.
he said. "There's fireplace an
. some wood. DO you want a flre?"
. In response to her nod he kindled
r fire, she standing beside tho winoD'
watching him. noting his 1.-the. cas-
. movements. She could not mistnk
: tho strength and virility of his fig
: vre, even with his back turned
+ her. but II seemed to her that thei
I WAS q certain recklessness In his nc
b tiOns-as though his every movemeT
4 advertised q careless regard for cor
: acquences. She held her breath whe
= he split short log into slender spin
e terra, for he swung the short handle
nxo with q loose grasp. a. though h
4 cared very little where its sharp bla'l
n lnnded. But she noted that he struc
with precision despite hiR apparer
= carelessness. every blow Ulling tru
q Ills manner OF handling the axe RI
d elected the spirit that shone In 81
. ayes when, after kindling the nre. b
}. Htood UP and looked et her; 49,
= n stated sHaElis sThiss' soas M