The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-20
EVENING STORY


the east. all preparing to outfit for a |
ten days trip up thru the canyon Yet /
they were not prospectors. She could j
tell that Neither were they tour
lists. There was an air of businesslike
direction and understanding among !
them which piqued her curiosity. |
Three of them went out to look at |
some new pack saddles her father had /
just got in from Denver. The fourth |
lit a cigarette and read some of the
notices posted on the side wall. Meg
knew those notices by heart Some
were months old. The most recent
was the description of Tad Logan and
the reward offered by the state for the
taking of Tad, dead or alive.
Going after it?' she asked 1acon-
ically.
He did not appear startled. but
sauntered over toward her with a
CLEAN of humor in his hazel eyes.
How long has it been up there?"
About a week. Have you heard
about it from where you came from?''
Just an item in the Denver pa
pers," he replied. Just a kid, wasn't
he? Did you know him ?"
Meg eyed him warily. but her smile
was bland and pleasant.
Well, not very we'll" She re-
placed the cover on the box of dried
apricots. "Of course, he used to come
in here for supplies. Every one does
who travels north of Pixies peak. We
don't think he's round here now, tho.
He'd make for the park and get over
the line into Wyoming. There amt
no one around here but believes he
handed the Stolz boys all they were
asking for
Il thought the new West didn't up
hold any of the old-time lawless kill
ings. The strangers tone was sar-
castle.
Depends on what you call lawless,"
af1 nod 1eer
out Don't you want box of these?
We're giving them away"
Giving anything else away?" he
inquired teasingly. Il don't suppose
a parting kiss would be quite good
form out here"
Not quite" said Meg. West of the
Mississippi, we don't kiss strangers"
Ten minutes later the four strang-
ers rode away without a guide. Meg
watched them from the doorway of
Dawley's General Emporium for Out
fltterS Supplies. And suddenly she
felt two arms reach from behind her
about her waist and she leaned her
head back on Tad's shoulder with d
sigh of relief
What do you suppose those fell
lows wanted, Tad?" she asked anx-
iously. 4 bet they were looking for
YOU
Tad grinned. He was a medium
sized youngster with curly, sandy hair
blue eyes and a face that any motion
picture hero might have enyied He
had not hidden from local scrutiny
since the little trouble with the Stolx
boys. Public opinion was entirely
with him, and Tad offered no expla-
nations one way or the other He
was the last person seen with the
Stolz boys. They had both disap-
peared. absolutely, from mortal ken,
Their ranch stood uncared for. Their
cattle and horses roamed at WILL pick
ing up their living from the open
range 1t was mystery that baffled,
that enthralled. Even the sheriff
thought it might be good to let well
enough alone, there being no circum-
stantlal or discriminating evidence.
Besides, when a mans wedding day
Is set, no person with human instincts
is going to press a murder charge
against him. Therefore Tad Logan
went free.
1t was six days later that one of the
strangers came back to Dawley's on a
horse with sprung knees. AS he swung
out of the saddle, Meg saw that he
walked with a limp and one arm hung
loosely.
she listened while he told her
Iather how he and the fellow with
the cfgaret had separated from their
Two companions, each taking differ
I'll IN ltall- Ihey had prowled around
tnru the canyon and each had finally
struck on the footprints of a man.
Following them warily, each had at
last arrived within aiming distance
of a man and had triumphantly pot
shotted his brother detective. think
ing he was Tad Logan.
| I've left my pal with the other two
men and come down here for help
It's a rotten hole up thru here 1
landed my pony in badger holes twice
and L guess it's done for. Seen any
| thing of Logan"
Mr.. Dawley shook his head dubi-
ously.
Il reckon he's a pretty bad Gus
toner" he said. Hes just about
made for the Bad Lands, same as all
of them do when the laws after them.
/ l think you're all wasting your time
around here. You'd better let me
make you Up good big pack and
start northeast. You'll just about get
your first news of him when you hit
Laramie over the border
| And just at this crucial moment
I Tad himself came sauntering over
from the wagon shed, singing gayly at
the top of his strong young lungs:
81 had a girl from Laramie,
Prettiest kid you ever did see:
She had face that suited me,
I'm on my way, on my way to Lara
| mic"
The stranger reached back for his
holster, but old Dawley's hand grip
ped his wrist, and Tad had him COW
cred in an instant.
| Meaning no harm to you" old man
| Dawley said, gently, but we don't let
strangers go pulling no guns around
here without explanations This
, boys my future son-in-law. He's Tad
Logan. What's it to you?
| The other man spoke steadily, firm
ly, his keen eyes fixed on Tad
| Logan I arrest you for the murder
of Hans and Gus Stolz. cattlemen, and
order you to surrender in the name
CT the law"
/ Tad grinned pleasantly.
THAT'S all right, old man." he said
| II don't blame you a bit Sorry you've
| had such an unpleasant chase after
! me But. YOU see, expect to be n ar
| ried in a week or two. and l didn't