Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-05-13

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smiling sweet insolence into the exas-
perated countenance of Marrophat.
Incidentally the fugitives disap-
peared round bend In the road that
led directly into the wild and barren
heart OF the Painted hills.
In the brief interval that elapsed be-
fore his return with Hopi Jim. Mario
phat contrived to persuade the bandit
that Judith had been. at least indi-
rectly, responsible for the catastrophe.
with the upshot that, temporarily
blinded to her destinations by the gilt
ter of nineteen thousand dollars In the
near distance, Mr.. Slade maintained
his distance and deaf ear to her
Establishments. The only information
as to their purpose that she was able
to extract from either man. when the
pursuing party turned aside from the
main trail. some distance from Mesa.
was that Hopi Jim knew short cut
through the range. via what he termed
the upper trail. by which they hoped
to be able 20 head the fugitlves of be-
fore they could gain the desert on the
far side OF the hills.
Only at long intervals did they draw
rein to permit Hopi Jim to make re-
threaded the valley on the far side Of
the ridge.
Toward noon he returned In haste
| from the last OF these surveys
scrambling recklessly down the noun
tain-side and throwing himself upon
his horse with the advice:
We've headed 'em-can make It
now II we ride like all get-outl"
For half an hour more they pushed
on at the best speed to be obtained
from their weary animals, at length
drawing rein at point where the trail
upon a long. broad ledge that over.
hung the valley Of the lower trail. with
clear drop to the latter from the
brink Of good two hundred feet
One hasty look back and down into
the valley evoked grunt OF satisfac-
ton from Hopi Jim.
Just in time" he asseverated. Here
they come! Ten minutes more :"
His smile answered Marrophat's
with unspeakable cruel significance.
Texas will sleep better tonight
when he knows how I've squared the
deal for himi" the bandit declared.
What are you going to dor" Judith
demanded, refining her horse in beside
Marrophat as the latter dismounted
gesture drew her attention to a
huge boulder poised insecurity on the
very lip OF the chasm.
We're going to tip that over on
your friends. Miss Judith" Marrophat
replied. with smack OF relish In his
voice. at-efficient-eh!
What more can you ask?"
She answered only with an irrepress-
iole gesture OF horror Marrophat's
laugh followed her as she turned away.
For some moments she strained her
vision vainly. endeavoring to pene-
trate the turbulent currents OF super
heated air that filled the valley. Then
she made out indistinctly the family
marked line OF the lower trail: and
immediately she caught a glimpse OF |
three small figures, mounted. toilIns
painfully toward the point where death
awaited them like bolt from the blue
Hastily she glanced over-shoulder.
Hopi Jim and Marrophat. ignoring her.
were straining themselves against the |
boulder without budging 1t an inch.
LOT all It's apparent nicely OF poIse. For
an instant wild hope flashed through |
ner mind, but 1t was immediately er-
orciseo when Hopi Jim stepped back
and uttered a few words OF which univ
two-"dynamite" and "fuse"-reacbeI |
her ears.
kneeling beside the boulder bs dug
DUSTY Tor an instant, then lodged the
SUCK 10 MS satisfaction, attached the
use and breaking on. edged on his
oeiiy 10 the edge OF the cliff ana
,ooheo down, carefully calculating tbe
length OF the fuse by the distance .,
the party down below from the sno,
"nere the rock must fall.
But while he was so engaged and
marrophat aided him. all eager inter.
est, Judith was taking advantage Of
their disregard OF her.
Hurriedly unbuttoninS her tacta,
sne whipped playing card from her
pocket. trey O. hearts, and with the
SUP OF a pencil scrubbed three words
on i's Danger! Go backl"
men nnding a small, fiattisb bit y,
ROCK. she bound the card to Il Win
DIT OF string; and with one no.
backward glance to make sure shs
was Was not watched. approached the
IN no ,po Jim was meticulously shorten.
IN, the fuse. Marrophat kneelInx nv
IA tne canyon below the three war.
point. 'ne Danger
~ was no trick at all TO dron ,h
stone STONE so that 1t fell .yithin . So. .ne
'ee &C. OF the leading horseman. " !
one saw him rein in suddar,u ~.
mot cast look aloft, then dI,mo u
anu PICK up the warning.