The Press., 1915-03-03

his breath as he thought of how he
 had failed after all to make his moth erlcss daughter entirely happy, and l that was all he lived for.
 So James Barton waited for the en-
 elny to come and burn his home, if
 they could, but his thoughts travelled
 side by side with the gallant young
 form speeding through the night sur 1 rounded by unseen dangers.
  The lower trail led away from the | chestnut grove and it's concealed plot | ters. The trail skirted the foot of a l bill and then followed the dry bed of
 Cinder creek, plunged through the narrow confines of Cinder canyon and emerged on Roger Dare's north range. Nancy Barton, leaning low in the saddle, rode the miles unfiinchingly. Her pride must suffer in going to Rog- CT Dare for help. But what mattered
 She thought of her brave, gray haired father standing off the crowd of des-
 peradoes single handed, and she spur
 red Judy to greater effort
 The stones rattled in the dry bed of the creek. and then the dark plunge through the little canyon was accom- plished with heaven only knows what
 hairbreadth escapes from death or dis aster, and then Judy's feet pounded over the grass of Roger Dare's land. A dog parked in the distance, light fiared in window, other lights sprang out around the house, and when Nancy arrived on the almost winded mare she was at once sur
 rounded by circle of excited men. with Roger Dare in their midst.
 What has happened?" asked Roger, his hand on Judy's neck.
 In a few broken words Nancy told him. and then, reeling in the saddle, she murmured:
 ''Im not going to faint. I never faiEted in my life." And she straight way proceeded to drop into Rogers outstretched arms.
 'She has tainted away" said Roger as he laid her on sofa in the sitting room. "Eliza." turning to his grim featured housekeeper, there is trouble at the Barton ranch. and l must go. .. but watch over Nancy. You will know what to do, and guard her as you would your own child. Ben and Gal Iagher will remain with yOu." With d last glance at the sweet, pale face on the pillow, Roger turned and rushed out into the yard, where his men were piling on to their horses. In moment twenty of them were fly ing toward Cinder canyon. and the dis were left behind.
 Long afterward old Hepsy tried to describe the battle of Barton's ranch,
 but words were inadequate. "Lawsy, chile," she told her listener. II jest wish you could hev been dere and seen how Marse Barton pinged dem snakes wid his gun, and right in de midst of it dere was rarin' shout from de lower gate, and I declar' if Marse Roger Dare and his men didn't come skyhootin' erlong, apd-well, de war ended right off! Marse Roger and de rest of 'em jes driv dat sipgsong Pete and de Odder snakes clean off de place. aud l heahs dey went ovah de Do der inter Mex'co. and good place for 'en, too, wid de greasers! Uh, huh. Marse Roger am sure brave man. but he ain't no braver den Marse
 Bartnn-Io, sul.'
 Roger Dare. coming back from that
 wild chase over the border in pursuit of singsong Pete and his band, rode into the Barton yard and met Barton's
 hearty hand clasp with one equally
 warm. No ope heard the few words they uttered as they stood there side
 by side. but that very instant the feud
 between them died.
 TheSe was light batter of hoofs at
 the gate. and Nancy came riding in on
 rosy. slipped from the saddle and
 looked from her father to Roger Dare.
 'I am so glad you are safe-safe.
 fnther.' she sobbed. clinging to Bar
 ton. II tod you he would come"-
 Yes. darling" smiled Barton over her sunny head. "He has come, in deed, and he tells me that he has come
 to stay!'
 Nancy was silent for awhile. and then she timidly put hand toward Roger. her eyes still hidden on her fathers sleeve. And when she lifted hor eyes at last and looked shyly around she found herself standing hand in hand with her father and Roger Dare
 And Aunt Hepsy, who was an inter- ested observer of this scene, was scan-
 J.11iyed tO hear hnr maStar ayclaim:
 "Well. we can thank Singsang Pete for this.'' and Rogers happy answer:
 Heaven bless Singsong Pete!"
 But on the wedding day Nancy ex. plained what they meant.