Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-30

a very little inSiStencc induced La
homa to comply, and both the young
man and the former h~ighwayman saw
her go with disappointment. Kimball
and his friends went into the dining
hall" to gulp down a hasty meal, and
Wilfrcl entered with them. He re-
manned only Il moment, however, just
long enough to purchase Il number Of
sand iches, which he stored away, as
if meaning to eat them in the coach.
AS soon as he was in the single street
darted toward the stage barn and by
means of a handsome deposit obtained
two horses. S%pringing upon one, he
rode rapidly from the settlement, lead
ing the other, and in a short time came
in sight Of 4 cabin, which, with its out
houses, was the only building in all
the wide eXpanse. From its appear
ance he knew it to be the one described
to Lahoma, and he galloped up to the
door with the certainty of finding her
within.
ooh, Wilfred." she %reproachcd him,
they'll miss you and know you've
come to consult with me about warn
ing Brick"
"Quick, Lahoma." said Wilfred, as
If she had not spoken. You can ride
4 horse, l suppose?" He smiled. but
his eyes We're sparkling with impa-
tience.
In Il flash Lahoma's face was glow
jrr with ~r{I,,rSo.,, CJ,~ I@oJ-oI 1>..Jx
into the room and cried, "Goodby!"
Then Wilfred swung her to the back
Of the led horse. We'll beat 'em!'
cried Lahoma as he sprang upon his
horse. Fast as you please. I've new
er been left behind yet"
The young man noted with sudden
relief that she was dressed for the
h%ardships of the prairie.
up there" she said, nodding her
head toward the east, 81 dressed for
people, but out here for wind and
sand"
Looking back, she saw the family
running out Of the cottage, waving
handkerchiefs and bonnets as In the
mad joy Of cong~ratulation.
"They think we're running away to-
gether!!" shouted Wilfred, with exulta-
ton. How happy they are at the
idea"
"They don't know there's nobody to
object If we don't" returned Lahoma
gayly as she urged on her stced. "Come
along, Wilfred," she tainted US his
horse fell q neck behind hers. "What
are you staying back there for? Tired?
If we get into the trail before that
coach starts We'll have to put on all
can right. Goodby! But suppose !
hadn't Gomez"
ooh, l could have done without you,"
said Lahoma, cor l think I could!"
"You could never have done without
me" Wilfred declared decidedly.
II car right now" She drew away.
I'll get into the stage. Don't follow
too soon"
There were three stagecoaches drawn
up at a short distance from the plat
form, and Lahoma went swiftly to the
n bound for her part Of the country.
She was the first to enter. She was
seated quietly in a corne when the
two long seats that faced each other
began filling up. The last to come
We're four men-one, tall, slender, red
faced and red haired; two others Of
dark and lowering faces, who looked
upon the former as their leader, and
the last Wilfred Compton. who had
unobtrusively Joined himself to this
remnant Of Rcd Kimball's gang.
The stage, which was built after the
manner 0? the old fashioned omnibus,
afforded no opportunity Of moving to
and fro in the selection OF seats; hence
when Red @9nball discovered Laho-
mas identity-the exact moment Of the
discovery was marked by his violent
start-she was safeguarded from his
approach by her proximity to & very
large woman 1ankcd by Il thin spin
Ster. These We're Two sisters, going to
the evenings station where the coach
would stop for supper, and Lahoma
discussed with them their plans and
hopes with bright cheerfulness and
ready friendship.
Wilfred watched Red Kimball as he
glared in that direction and guessed
his thoughts. Although Kimball knew
Lahoma, he was not sure that she
knew him, and, though he was con-
yinced at once that she was on q mis-
sion Of warning, that might be true
without her knowing that he had left
Kansas City. Red Kimball was burn
ing to find out if he were a stranger to
her, but at the same time fearful Of
disclosing himself. He muttered to his
companions hoarsely, careful that Will
fred, whom he regarded askance,
should oyerhear nothing that he said.
And he continued to stare at Lahoma,
his face brooding, his half yelled eyes
red and threatening.
What would happen in the night
time as the stage pursued its lonely
way across the bleak prairie? Since
Red Kimball meant to appeal to the
law in his revenge against Brick, there