The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-01-16

Ii clear across the mesa, emblem OF his
thirst symbol Of bis undying desire
For the moment ne did not know what
to answer. Then be recovered himself
and said quietly. IL was going to- He
paused a moment and locked straight
into the eyes Of the man opposite him
Il was going to save all | had"
IF that's all you bad Matias did not
get much. end he Is considered a pref
ty smart fellow" was the curt re-
Spouse. Here comes the sheriff"
In the west their ordinary speech II
deeds. not words Appeared other men
and then the bulky figure of the sher
III THIS man wasted no time In pre-
liminaries. but quickly roared. (which
way r.
EAT the foot Of San Jacinto noun
tain. on the upper level" Gallon STAN
mered
Get your horses. boys" ordered the
sheriff
1t was not but a few minutes until
the posse. Gallon riding stolidly on an
extra horse. was scampering through
the streets toward the mountains. now
absolutely dark. as the moon bad set
Sheriff Hawkins was not aware that
as they crossed a wash a painting
grooming man was crawling on his
belly toward the solitary light which
marked Vale Vista. Nor did Gallon
dumbiy riding toward the darkness
which hid the scene Of bis crime. real.
lie that Wukerson was within ten
| yards OF him as they splsshed through
| the stream.
Then suddenly appeared in the sky q
| spot of white. which spread until the
murk OF the night had turned to dusk
"Vyell. thank God it's daylight" said
| the sheriff TO Gallon. II guess we can
get your partner all right now" And
even as be spoke the dusk suddenly be
came enriched by the light OF the sun
rising I'm the east The moment II
struck the brass on his pony's bride
Gallon in~voluntarily refined In Through
his bllstered lips he muttered: Gold
RUTH"
Inquirlng eyes were turned on him
The sheriff showed his horse over and
asked. What gold?"
At the same instant came the deputy
on the other side Of him
Say. chief. be says there was no
gold
A sinewy arm reached out and took
Gallons gun away from him. Il think
/ better keep this" said the sheriff, his
dark countenance growing stern
So this cayalcade made Its way
through the fresh California dawn
until there was a sudden break In the
mesa. The deputy threw out his hand
There are a hundred gulches in these
mountains. Which one Is IL. pardnerr
At the word "pardner" Gallon pulled
himself together The glitter of the
brass on the horses headstall and that
word Should be tell them the location
OF that gulchf The stroke OF one
horses hoof might disclose the mother
lode. and yet he had told them the out.
laws had killed Wilkerson.
His horse stumbled and threw him
When he got up he gropingly pointed
bis hands toward the hills and mat
lefeu. lnat way. DoyS-Ihats wuere
they got him"
Half an hour later the posse was
grouped about the dead fire. and the
sheriff was staring at q blood stained
blanket
There has been trouble" he said
abruptly Then he turned on Gallon.
"Why Is this coffee hot2" he said
lifting up the pot The brusque tones
OF the sheriff cut the silence that fol.
lowed
Il don't see your man | don't under.
stand this You are under arrest-for
the murder or He looked at Gallon,
and the old man ~involuntarily said
"Wilkerson"
(To be continued