The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-01-30

a
which stood kerosene lamp, lifted
the chimney and applied . match to
the wick. For an instant after re-
placing the chimney he stood full in
the glare OF light. his face contorted
with rage. his eyes cleaning with
venom.
NOW you know exactly whore I
stand. you-you .hussy." he said. grim
ming satiricslly As she WINGED under
the insult. I'm your fatheri Your
father-do you hear? And I'll not
gossip about mo. You'll stay here.
and you'll bear witness against Da-
kota, and you'll keep quiet about mel"
HDwas trembling horribly n he came
eseoo 10 her, ana hts breath WS6
coughing In his throat shrilly. ...-
II won't do anything Of the kind!''
Shells got TO her feet, and stood,
rigid with anger. her eyes flaming do
iiance.s II am going to Doubler'a
cabin this minute. and II you modest
mo again shall 60 to the sheriff with
my story!"
He seemed about to attack hef
again, and hts hands were raised N
though to grasp her throat, when
there came q sound at the door. II
swung open. and Dakota stepped In,
closing the door behind him.
Dakota's face was white-whito M
II had been that other day at the
= auicksand crossing when Sheila had
looked UP to see him sitting on his
pony, watching her. There was an
entire absence of excitement In his
manner. though; no visible sign to
tell that what he had seen on enter
ing the cabin disturbed him in the
least. Yet the Wilderness OF hts face
belied this apparent composure. II
seemed to Sheila that his eyes be-
trayed the strong emotion that wa
She retreated to the chair beside
the desk and sank into Il. Langford
had wheeled and was now facing Da'
kota, O shallow smile on MS race.
There was a smile on Dakoth
face, too; q mysterious. cold. pre-
pared grin that fascinated Sheila az
Ana watched him. The smile faded
a little when he spoke to Lanyford
his voice vibrating. as though he had
been running.
"When you're fighting Q woman
LanRford, you ought 10 make sure
there isn't a man around!'
MinRling with Sheiia's recognition
of the obvious and admirable phil
osophy of this statement was q
realization that Dakota must have
been riding hard. There was much
dust on his clothing. the scarf at his
neck was thick with II: 1t streaked
his face, his voice was husky. his lips
dry. 49,.
Langford did not answer him.
stepping back against the desk and
regarding him with a mirthless,
forced smile which, Sheila was GER
tain, he had assumed In order to con-
-. A( hA Qtn06
before him.
$50 you haven't got any thoughts
just at this minute" said Dakota
with cold insinuation. "You are one
Of those men who can talk bravely
enough to women, but who can't
think Of anything exactly proper for
a man to hear. Well. youn do your
talking later" He looked at Shelia,
ignoring Langford completely.
IT expect you've been wondering
ma am, why I'm here when I ought
to be over at Two Forks trying to dt
something for Doubler. But the doc
tors there, taking care OF him. The
reason I've come Is that I've found
this In Doubler's cabin" He drew out
the memoranda which Shcila hat
Ing It up 30 that she might see.
You took my vest" he went on
"And i was looking for It, I FOUND
It all right. but something was miss
ing. You're the only ono who hai
been to Doubler's cabin since lef
there, / expect. and It must have beer
you who opened this book. 1t isn't II
tho same shape u was when yoi
pulled It of me when was talkint
to you down there on the river trail
something has been taken out of it
q paper. That's why rode over here
to see II you'd got It. Have you
ma'am?"
Sheila pointed mutely to the floor
whore bit OF thin. crinkled ash wal
AZ that remained Of the signed agree
J msnt.
"susnsai" ssid Dakota, sharply.