Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1917-09-07
SIXTH EPISODE
Major Brent's Perfidy.

AQhmb neSlldleu Il muluehts ANN
he removed the belt from his waist
and fastened it on Pearl.
ats yours by r-rights, anyhow.
Promise me t-that you'll do nuthin' un-
I'll you see NINE again, II / ever show
up. And II / DIDN'T ever see you
again, wal, Jest keep it. DIDO you
promise that, g-girlT"
II promise"
He gave the horses bride a twist,
crying: Cor
In a second she was out Of sight and
he leaped into a clump Of bushes. A
bullet tipped close to his ears. He took
deliberate aim at the moving shadows
among the trees and discharged his
carblne three times. An uncertain sus-
pense ensued. Then he attempted to
cross the open space to steal after
Pearl.
He ran a little forward, firing re-
peatediy and successfully with each
shot at horsemen ~galloplng up and re-
treated to the edge OF the decllvity
with a downward glance at the appar-
emily sheer drop.
OnG AOuhNh GhNA ANAAulANh III NAt
carbine. He bided his moment, fred
and tossing the now useless weapon
at his pursuers leaped into the air.
He fell upon a slightly %protruding
rocky shelf and drew his body into a
natural groove, where he was COM
pletely hidden from sight.
II heard no fall !" presently exclaim-
ed a G~ranadien voice at the top Of
the preciplcs.
"YOu fooll Who could hear? The
depth is at least one thousand feet.
Comet 1 have no desire to see an
other dead grinGo tonight"
1t was Bolero who spoke.
Adams waited q long time In the ST.
lence after their departure. Then with
difficulty he began the ascent. He
was out Of breath when he regained
the summit and began to pick up the
threads OF Pearls trail.
Several hours later he came upon
the horse tethered in a thicketI In the
secluded bottom OF the ravine and
found Pearl not far away seated under
a jutting ledge of sandstone. She was
wrapped in the troopers blanket.
She gave a little cry OF Joy, holding
out both hands impulslvely. II knew
you would comet"
He returned her hand clasp and In
spected her. 'Im going tito build you
a hre and het you up. You'll be get.
ting pneumony, II ! amt careful OF
you"
She laughed artlessly. "Why, I'm
almost dry and" feeling his clothing
so are you"
Its 1.-THE climate" was his simple
comment and he started to build the
fire.
She watched every movement OF
this mysterious man. He seemed tC
be able to accomplish anything he at.
tempted to do. In a twlnkling q warm
are. It's blaze prudently concealed, was
burning In a c%reyice.
"Het yourself up. g-girl while l RIG
your tent" he urged Iva his homely
way; and Pearl obedlertiy sat down
close TO the FIRE for which she was
truly thankful.
He set up the tent and, indicating
that she might retire at any time. as
sumed a squattlng position before the
IRE.
"Who really are your" she asked ar
ter a long silence.
"Tm not m-Inuch OF nuthin', girl.
he ruminated. I'm as ignorant as q
c-cOw."
"You are and you aren't" she quail
hed. shrewdly. you're a genuine puz-
Gle. For eXample-this belt" She
stopped, watching him %covertly.
"Yes'm7"
Explain what you meant by saying
that this belt properly belongs to me-"
THAT b-belt. NAM" he replied, soft
y, after a long pause, was the p-prOp-
eity OF the-of Captain Payne"
She was greatly impressed. $50
that's the secret :" she murmured,
touching the belt %reverently with her
fingers. And that explains why Ma
jor Brent wanted me 70 have II. Oh
I'm so glad FOR this explanation. That
sets Thornton right"
She rose shortly and with a con.