The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-12-23
copyright, 1915, by OTIS y. Woody

common and those Of the company
who noticed at all, merely laughed at
the girls futile struggles. Jose's arm
was already raised with the knife In
his hand, when q sudden blow brought
q yell OF pain TO his lips. The knife
fell Gathering to the floor. He sprang
up, his eyes red with fury. A man
had entered the door from behind
and was standing within a few feet
of him, a nan with long. rsle face,
dark eyes, travei-stained, and with the
air of q fugitive. A flood of incoherent
abuse streamed from Jose's lips. He
stopped for the knife. Marta threw
herself upon him. The two cowboys
who had been dancing suddenly inter.
vened. The girl screamed.
"It was Josc's fault" she cried.
Jose was mad. He would have killed
mel"
Craig faced them all with sudden
courage.
"As l came in," he explained,
that man had his knife raised to stab
the girl. You don't allow that sort
of thing, do you. here?"
The two cowboys linked their arms
through Jose's and led him of toward
the door,
"The strangers right, Jose" one Of
them insisted. You can't carve a girl
up In company"
The girl clutched at Craig's arm.
sit down here, please she begged.
Wait"
She disappeared for a moment and
came back with a glass full or wine,
which she set down on the table.
Drink this" she invited. and
thank you for saving me-"
/ Craig emptied the glass eagerly.
~ just happened to be the first to
see him. he said. "They aren't quite
wild enough to allow that here, are
theyY'
"Quisn sabe? The girls do not like
me! The men do not care" she de-
clared. Jose took me by surprise,
though. or [ woald have killed him.
But who are you, and where did you
come from?'
9" have just crossed the border h
replied.
She nodded undsrstandingly.
Were they after yous
Eyes! with q warrant for my ar.
rest!"
She patted his hand.
You are safe now" she whispered.
I'VE care that much for a United
l CAatA, Il, a~I she oDanrnd har
slim fingers. you shall stay with US
for a time. We will take care Of you."
He sighed YEARLY.
Back in the camp, y spirit Of de+ilry
had entered into Long Jim and his
mates. A tactless remark on the part
Of one OF the deputies had set aiight
the s~moldering fire Of resentment
which the cowboys had all the time
felt against them. At a word from
Long Jim they were taken by surprise
and tied to the wagon.
The deputies spluttered with rags
and fear. Shot rained about them and
the canvas of the wagon was riddled
Suddenly they ell paused to listen
The sound Of q horses slow football
was heard close at hand. Presently
Quest appeared out of the shadows
carrying Lenora In his arms. Laura
rushed forward.
"Lenora!" she cried. as she hurt?'
Quest laid her tenderiy upon the
ground.
I'VE had q spill ut the bridge" he
explained, quickly. II don't know
whether Craig loosened the supports
He got cyer ell right, but II vent down
under Lenora, who was following, and
l had to get her out Of the river
Where's the professor"
The professor came ambling from
the tent where he had been lying. He
stopped at once rel Lenora's still I'm
conscious form.
"Dear mel" he exclaimed. IDEAL
me! Come. comet"
He passed his hand over her side
and made q brief examination.
-Four ribs broken" he pronounced
1T will be . week, at any rate. before
we are able to move her. Nothing
moro serious, 90 far - / can see. Mr.
Quest. hut she'll need rest and all the
comfort we can give her."
Say, that's too bad!" Long Jim de
clared. "If you've got to stay around
for a time. though, you a have the
tents. We boys can double up any
where. or bunk on the ground. That's
right, amt IT," he added, turning
around to the cowboys.
There was : little grunt Of acQuies
cence. They carried Lenora to the
largest of the tents and made her a.
comfortable IS. possible.
CHAPTER xxx.