The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-07-06

the possession of her lovers rights.
Molly frowned as she thought all
these things over, and every now and
then she turned and looked back along
the trail for some sign Of the approach
Of Pete Clarkson. If he returned to
the cabin, as he had intended doing, he
would find her note.
With heart beating in time to the
mufled thud Of Daisy's hoofs, she drew
rein on the crest of the ledge and
looked about for Dave Lumly, but he
was not in sight, and with resumed
confidence she cantered along the mar
row, uneven trail to Crow rock.
When she rounded the rock the sor-
rel was nipping the parched turf and
Lumly, on his knees, was stuffing a
| piece Of white paper into his pocket.
His back was toward her, and he had
J doubtless mistaken the tread Of her
horse for the trampling of his own
beast.
Look here, Dave Lumly!'
Lumly jumped to his feet and look
ed into the barrel of revolver leveled
with cool precision.
you git outer my way, young lady"
he snarled detantly, making move
ment to grasp her bride rein
"Stop there or I'll fire." she said
calmly.
What do you want?' he growled
looking at her out of stealthy red eyes
Il want you to put that paper back
in the hole" she commanded sharply.
"And if l don't?' he grinned saw
agely.
why. if you don't" she said, with
calculating glance II believe I'll just
bore your right arm"
'The devil you will! 1t seems to me
you are pretty highly tightly, miss"
Are you going to do it?" she
asked
"Oh, sure; Of course couldn't refuse
lady," he said taking the paper from
his pocket with his right hand and fur
lively reaching with his left around to
his hip.
"Your left hand upw she command
ed again.
With muttered oath he swung his
arm aloft. The sorrel horse drew near
and thrust an inquiring nose toward
his master With quick movement
Lumly held out the paper the sorrel
caught It between his lips, and In an
other instant 1t fell to the ground a
mass Of pulp. Lumly laughed exult-
antly.
Molly Gray whitened about the lips.
Hnthar hand n oh M 1nI
shortly.
The man obeyed,
Turn your back and walk toward
me- Then, as he hesitated, she added
contemptuously, Don't be afraid. I'm
not going to shoot you in the back"
He turned sullenly and backed slow
ly up to the mares side. With muzzle
pressed close to his shock of rough hair
she abstracted the six shooter from his
belt and ascertaincd that there was nc
other weapon. The man trembled
slightly. 1t was a pesky dangerous
thing to have woman fOoling with a
revolver One never knew what
"Now walk forward twenty steps
and don't turn; if you do it will be for
, the last timer' Molly did not recognize
her own sweet voice in the firm tones
that cut the air like the lash Of a whip
The man obeyed. When. at her word
Of command, he faced about, the feet
Of the little mare were gathered in the
hole in the ground, and her rider, with
shining eyes and bright, glad smile
looked at him down the length Of his
own six shooter.
"In fifteen minutes at the latest
, Pete Clarkson Mill Hodges and the
sheriff will strike this ledge. | advise
you, Dave Lumly, if you value your
, life, to prospect around Cartertowr
, way for a few years. The trail Il
plain; there's your horse, and I'm Civ
ing you chance"
, Lumly looked back down the trail
! Several horsemen We're riding rapidly
{ up Crow creek bottom. There was Il
. fash of sunlight on metal.
With a muttered curse he turned to
ward his horse You'll pay for this
, holdup, girl" he said threateningly.
Its not a holdup; it's hold down,
: retorted Molly saucily.
AS Lumly disappeared among the
/ distant western slopes three men rode
madly down the trail and rounded
| Crow rock in a cloud Of dust and 9
scatter OF flying stones. Molly Gray
with trembling lips, smiled upon them
Where is he?' demanded Pete, while
! the other men looked mingled disap
pointment and admiration upon pretty
Molly.
She pointed toward the west. where
, solitary horseman was silhouettet
/ against the amber sunset sky ere il
? dropped behind distant hill
$50 you let the critter go" uttered
the sheriff ruefully.
Pete looked at her questioningly.
II didn't want bloodshed on Grow
rock. Pete" she explained in a low tone
> A light of understanding came int
his eyes. He nodded his head. That
all right, sheriff | guess that coyote
won't Jump any more claims here