Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-26


ange ball against the background OF
copper red sky.
Nancy Barton watched it slowly sink
below the fat Texas plain until all at
once it was gone and the weird twf-
light was about her.
With a little sigh she turned her
horse to the low hills that, bounded
the northeast. Her black Judy skim.
med over the ground with velvet feet,
and the passage of the graceful girl
and the beautiful animal were almost
like shadows fleeing before the light
western breeze.
Then as they passed into the deep
gloom of a walnut grove Nancy heard
rough voices in discussion. For mo-
ment her heart thrilled with terror,
for the Barton ranch was very near
the Mexican border. and In these I'M
certain days there was a growing
spirit of lawlessness among the rough
characters that invested the neighbor-
hood.
The voices came from a little hollow
on the left of the trail. and Nancy was
glad of the protection afforded by the
great trees that surrounded her.
She pulled Judy to standstill and
listened sharply.
Five minutes afterward she had
emerged from the grove and was tear
ing down the trail toward home
Her appearance in the yard brought
her father into the porch and the cook
into the doorway of the bunk house.
''That you, Nan?" cried her father
relievedly. 1--WE been wild about you
take care of yourself, but remember
what I told you about staying out
after dark. Why, what is it. child?
You are trembling" Mr.. Barton lifted
the girl from the saddle, and she sank
Imply on to the steps.
"You no see men, Miss Nancy?"
shrilled Hep Loo across the yard. He
waved a spoon toward his waiting sup
per table in the bunk house.
They will come later. Hep Loo.
said Nancy family, and as the China
man returned muttering to his kitchen
she said to her father: Dad, what
shall we do? 1 came home through
the grove, and overheard our men
here plotting to burn the ranch and
run the cattle across the border"
You are sure. daughter" demanded
Barton sharply, for he had trusted his
cowboys to a man.
Eyes. / heard all their voices. Sing
song Pete seemed to be the leader. It
is planned for tonight
CT wonder il they are coming back to
unused Barton.
mo. They planned the raid, and
after it is accomplished they are to
rush in and appear to rescue me. oh,
dad, they said they would finish you.
and you know what that means
and Nancy's voice broke little, and
her father knew that when his brave
courage wavered there was
danger indeed, and he guessed that she
had not told him all she had over
heard
1--WE need help. How shall we get
he muttered.
Let me go. father. / am safer rid
ing than / am here" she shuddered.
where will you go. child? You
could never ride to Fenby's in time.
and
'1 will go and get Roger Dare" said
Nancy.
Mr.. Barton started.
"Roger Dare?" he repeated. "He
would never come after the way L
.reated him. I can't expect it. No
nan with red blood in him would do
t."
Roger would do 1t. dad" said Nancy
quietly. "Just because he has got red |
blood in his veins would he forgive |
IN injury and help. He's a man.
Barton stared down at the girl.
Nancy. believe-I believe you
'eally did care He stopped short |
IS Nan lifted her gloved hand.
dad. you can believe almost any. |
hing of a foolish girl she whispered. |
Give me cup OF tea and let me 60 |
They are towards, and they will not |
hoot me il 1 run across the gang. but |
will go the lower trail If it will lessen |
-our anxiety. You and Hep Loo re-
main in the house and protect the /
,lace." Nancy arose and ran into the /
house, where Aunt Hepsy. the stout /
legress, was waiting impatientIy to /
erve supper
Nancy drank cup OF tea and ate a
ew mouthfuls Of food: then. with a
asst close embrace from her father.
Who had protested even while he saw
hat her pistols were loaded and that
udy was ready at the door. she swung
nto the saddle and vanished into the
light.
Then James Barton. worked swiftly.
Within an hour the house was closely
huttered and loaded weapons placed
I all the upper windows.
Silence fell over the ranch. Hepsy
-
While Barton, kneeling in ,an upper
Window. watched the entrances by !
7hich the enemy might be expected.
While he waited he thought of Nancy
ying for help and asking Roger Dare.
T all men,
In the darkness Barton blushed
When Roger Dare had first come TO
he cattle country the finger OF sus-
icion had pointed heavily at him In
By this time Julia had been admitted
In the har Tho FIRST probiarn fhaf