The Meeker herald., 1914-12-05

0fDs bo MAO really DtHeseo .~S
guilty. There had been ynch'ns
stopped at the critical instant by news
Of the capture Of the guilty man. and
Roger had been set free. but bis stern
attitude toward his accusers bad tolo
them that he had not forgotten the IN
salt and injury their unjust aecusa-
tions had brought upon him.
James Barton had made handsome
apology for the injustice. and In more
ways than one had be been Of service
to the young rancher. but quite un-
known to Roger. for 1t Is probable that
that stern young man might have re-
fused the aid that came from un-
known sources. Then Barton's contri-
ton had an added bitterness. APr Rog-
or had fallen promptly In lowe with
Nancy, and there might have been
romance there ON the Texas plaip had
not the unfortunate AFFAIR come )lp to
blight II In the bud y
Now. this very evening Barton had
discovered something In Nancy's tone
that betrayed her secret She loved
Roger after all. That was what had
worn upon her during the past year.
although she had maintained her cheer
full demeanor. He swore softly under
his breath a. he thought Of how BE-
had failed after all to make his moth
erless daughter entirely happy. and
that was all he lived for.
80 James Barton waited for the en-
emy to come and burn his home. II
they could, but his thoughts Travelled
side BY side with the gallant young
form speeding through the night sur
rounded by unseen dangers.
The lower trail led away from the
chestnut grove and its concealed plot
ters. The trnil skirted the foot Of q
hill and then followed the dry bed Of
Cinder creek. plunged through the
narrow confines Of Cinder canyon and
emerged on Roger Dare's north range.
Nancy Barton. leaning low in the
saddle, rode the miles unninchingly.
Her pride must suffer In going to Rog-
er Dare for help. But what mattered7
She thought of her brave. gray haired
father standing on the crowd Of des-
peradoes single handed. and she spur
red Judy to greater effort.
The stones ratified In the dry bed Of
the creek. and then the dark plunge
through the little canyon was accom-
plished with heaven only knows what
hairbreadth escapes from death or dis
aster. and then Judy's feet pounded
over the grass of Roger Dare's land.
A dog barked In the distance. q
light nared In a window. other lights
sprang out around the house. and
when Nancy arrived on the almost
winded mare she was at once sur
rounded by q circle Of excited men.
with Roger Dare in their midst.
what has happened?" asked Roger.
his hand ON Judy's neck.
In few broken words Nancy told
him. and then. reellng In the saddle.
shs nurmured: .-,s6
Tim mot going to faint I never
fairted In my life." And she straight
way proceeded to drop into Rogers
outstretched arms.
"Shs has tainted away" said Roger
a. be laid her on sofa In the sitting
room. Eliza" turning to his grim
featured housekeeper. "there 10 trouble
at the Barton ranch. and must go.
but watch over Nancy. You will know
what to do, and guard her as You
would your own child. Ben and Gal
lagher will remain with you"
With last glance at the sweet. pale
face ON the pillow. Roger turned and
rushed out into the yard. where his
nil tn hat hnH
In moment twenty of them were ny-
Ing toward Cinder canyon. and the dis
gruntled Gallagher and his companion
were left behind.
Long afterward old Hepsy tried to
describe the battle of Barton's ranch.
but words were inadequate.
"Lawsy, chile" she told her listener,
II Jest wish you could hev been dere
and seen how Marse Barton pinged
dem snakes wild his gun. and right in
de midst Of 1t dere was rarin' shout
from de lower gate. and declar' II
Marse Roger nare and his men didn't
come skyhoutir' erlong. and-well. de
war ended right of! Marse Roger and
de rest Of 'em jes driv dat Singsong
Pete and de odder snakes clean Of de
place. and heahs dey went ovah de
bo'der inter Mex'co. and good place
for EN-. too. wild de greasers! Oh.
huh! MaFse Roger am sure a brave
man. but he amt no braver den Marse
Barton-no. subj
|. Roger Dare. coming back from that
wild chase over the border In pursuit
OF SIngsong Pete and his band. rode
into the Barton yard and met BartOn's
hearty hand clasp with one equally
warm. No one heard the few words
ehey uttered as they stood there side
BY side. but that very instant the feud
between them died.
There was light patter of hoofs at
the gate. and Nancy came riding in on
Judy The girl her face now male n nd