The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-04
BY KATE AND VIRGIL BOYLEs
Copyright,
A. g. Mcclure n Co.
CHAPTER I.
The Island With a Mystery.

l lhO lsiauu WIN pAybtChys
George Williston urged his
pony to one more effort before
(, giving up for this day at least
the locating of a small bunch Of
cattle, branded q Lazy S. missing
these three days.
What might never have been
missed from the vast herds OF
Langford, his neighbor of the
plains country, was of more seri-
GUS import to Williston than the
actual present loss. The existence
of the small ranchman was be-
coming precarious. He was being
bounded by two prolific sources of
trouble. On the one hand was the
wealthy cattle owner; on the 9TH
er, the vicious greed of the cattle
rustlers.
Williston was chatting under his
helplessness as the faded pony
climbed doggedly this last bluff.
Williston had struck the river at a
point absolutely new to him. 1t
was the time of low water, and a
little to the north lay what would
have been an island in high water.
thickly wooded with willows and
cottonwoods. Now long stretch
of sand reached between bluff and
island.
Dismounting, with the quick
thought that yonder island might
hold the secret of his lost cattle,
he crept down the bank and across
the sand.
What was that? Coyotes bark
ing over yonder across the river?
That alien sound! A mans laugh,
a curse, heart-breaking below
of pain. Williston parted ever SO
slightly the thick foliage of under
brush that separated him from the
all too familiar sounds and peered
within.
In the midst of small clearing
two men we're engaged In unrop-
ing and releasing a red steer, sim
liar in all essential respects to a
bunch of three or four huddled to-
gether little to one side. The
situation was conclusive.
Williston turned noiselessly
away from the scene. Once more
he crossed the sand and found
his horse. - He vaulted into the
saddle and galloped away into the
quiet night.
i Williston himself came to the
door.
"I'm glad to see you, Langford'
he said. 1T was good Of you to
come. Leave your horse for Mary
She'll give her water when she's
cooled off bit" A%#y
you sent for me. Williston?
asked the young man.
81 did"
At that moment, Mary Williston
came into the open doorway of the
rude claim shanty set down in the
very heart of the sun-seared plain
Her auburn hair, more reddish or
the edges from sunburn, was fine
and soft. She looked strangely
grown-up despite her short, rough
skirt and badly scuffed leather
riding-leggings. Langford stared
at her with startled look o.
mingled admiration and astonish
ment. She came forward and pur
her hand on the mares bride. She
was not embarrassed in the least
But color came into the strangers
face. He swept his wide hat from
his head quickly.
mo indeed, Miss Williston; III
water Sadie myself"
But you waited for me to dc
it," said the girl, looking up al
him curiously.
did II" didn't mean to. Yes
did. too. But beg your pardon
You see-say, look here; are you
the little girl who left word for
me this morning."
Eyes. Why not?"
well, you see," smiling, but
apologetic, zone of the boys said
her father wanted to see me as
soon as / could come. So, you
see. / thought"
dad always calls me that, so
most Of the people around here
do, too. It is very silly"
II don't think so at all. I only
wonder why I have not known
about you BEFORE" with a frank
smile. 1T must be because I've
been away SO much of the time
lately. Why didn't you wait for
me?" he asked suddenly. "Ten
miles is a sort of a lonesome run
for a girl.
II did wait a WHILE" said Mary
honestly, "but you didn't seem in
any hurry. / expect you didn't
care to be bored that long way
with the silly chatter Of a little
girl"
Well" said Langford, rueful-
1y, I'm afraid / did feel little
relieved when I found you had
not waited. I never will again. /
do beg your pardon" he called,
laughingly, over his shoulder, as
khe galloped away to the spring.
When he returned there was
no one to receive him but Willis
ton.
Laconically wiIliston told his
! story. In the presence of the
man whose big success made HIS
own lpitifuI failures fnconRruous