The Press., 1915-03-03
SINGSONG
 PETE He Proves a Blessing
 In Disguise
By cLARISSA MACKIE

The lower rim of the sun rested on the edge of the horizon, huge or ange ball against the background of copper red sky.
 Nancy Barton watched it slowly sink below the flat Texas plain until all at once it was gone and the weird twi- light was about her.
 With a little sigh sine 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 un- certain days there was growing spirit of lawlesSness among the rough characters that invested the neighbor- hood
 The voices came from 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 a standstil 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. Eve been wild about you for the last hour, know you can take care of yourself, but remember what I told you about staying out after dark. Why, what is it, child l You are trembling Mir. Barton lifted the girl from the saddle, and she sank l Imply on to the steps. | "You no see men. Miss Nancyw shrilled Hep Loo across the yard. He waved Il spoon toward his waiting sup per table in the bunk house.
 "They will come later. Hep Loo,' said Nancy faintly 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 I 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 man.
 "Yes. I heard all their voices. Sing song Pete seemed to be the leader. It is planned for tonight.''
 T wonder if they are coming back to supper" unused Barton. | "No. 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 daughters courage wavered there was danger indeed, and he guessed that she had not told him all she had over heard
 i We need help. How shall we get itY' he muttered. l ''Let me go, father. I am safer rid ing than l am here," she shuddered.
 "Where will you go. child? You could never ride to Fenby's in tune, and''-
 Il will go and get Roger Dare," said Nancy.
 MT. Barton started.
 Roger Dare" he repeated. "He would never come after the way I treated him. I can't expect it. No | man with red blood in hin. would do | it."
 Roger would do it, dad," said Nancy quietly. "Just because he has got red blood in his veins would he forgive an injury and help. He's a manw Barton stared down at the girl. "Nancy! I believe-I believe you really did care"- He stopped short as Nan lifted her gloved hand. "Dad, you can believe almost any, thing of foolish girl,'' she whispered. "Give me cup of tea and let me go. They are towards, and they will not shoot me if run across the gang, but will go the lower trail if it will lessen your anxiety. You and Hep Loo re- main in the house and protect the place" Nancy arose and ran into the house, where Aunt Hepsy, the stout negress, was waiting impatiently to serve supper
 Nancy drank cup of tea and ate few mouthfuls of food; then, with last close embrace from her father. who had protested even while he saw that her pistols were loaded and that of fha Ho Into the saddle and vanished into the night.
 Then James Barton worked swiftly. Within an hour the house was closely shuttered and loaded weapons placed at all the upper windows.
 Silence fell over the ranch. Hepsy numbered uneasily about her room. while Barton, kneeling in an upper window, watched the entrances by which the enemy might be expected. While he waited he thought of Nancy flying for help and asking Roger Dare. of all men!
 In the darkness Barton blushed. When Roger Dare had first come to the cattle country the finger of sus- picion had pointed heavily at him in a very dubious transaction. Barton mad been one of his most relentless accus- CTS; he had really believed the man guilty. There had been lynching stopped at the critical instant by news of the capture of the guilty man, and Roger had been set free, but his stern attitude toward his accusers had told them that he had not forgotten the in- suit and injury their unjust accusa- tions had brought upon him.
 James Barton had made handsome apology for the injustice. and in more ways than one had he been of service to the young rancher, but quite un- known to Roger, for it is probable that that stern young man might have re- fused the aid that came from un- known sources. Then Barton's contri- tion had an added bitterness, for Rog-