The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-06-28
sr. and a1,ne,,Is sesss


to his room provided what he wanted /
for his hurried fight. When he dashed |
down with coats ON his arm the hoofs |
Of Lady Jane were clattering down the |
long gangway. A stable-boy std from I
her back on one side as Bull Page |
threw the saddle across her from the |
other; hostlers caught at the cinches. !
while Others hurrfediy rubbed the legs
of the quivering mare. De Spain. his
hand on McAlpin's shoulder. was Civ
ing his parting injunctions. and the
barn boss. head cooked down. and eyes
cast furtively on the scattering snow
fakes outside. was listening with an at
tention that recorded indelibly every
uttered syllable.
Once only. he interrupted: Henry.
you're ridin' out into this thing alone
don't do It,"
Il cant help it." snapped De Spain
impatiently.
ITS man Killer"
II can't help IT."
Bob Scott. II he w's here. 'ud never
let you do IL. I'll ride WI ye myself,
Henry. Iworked for your father"
You're too old a man. Jim"
Henry
Don't talk to me DC as tell your
Numbered De Spain.
McAlpIn bowed his head.
"Readyl" yelled Page. buckling the
rifle holster In place. S.ill talking. and
with McAlpir glued TO his elbow. De
Spain vaulted into the saddle. caught
the lines from Bulls hands. and
steadied the Lady as she sidestepped
nervously-McAlpin following close
and lodging the dancing hoofs as he
looked earnestly up TO catch the last
word. De Spain touched the horse with
the lines. She leaped through the door
WAY and he raised a backward hand
TO those beeind. Running outside the
door. they yelled a chorus OF cIies
after the swift-moving hcrseman. ard.
clustered in an excited group, watched
the Lady with a dozen great strides
round the Calahasas trail and disap-
pear with her rider into the whirling
snow.
She fell at once into an easy reach
ing sten. and De Spain. busy with his
reflections, hardly gave thought to
what she vas doing, and little more TO
what was going on about him.
No moving figure reflects the impas-
sive more than Il horseman OF the
mountains, on a long ride. Though
never SO swift-borne, the man. looking
neither tor the right nor 10 the left.
moving evenly and statuelike against
the sky, part Of the wiry beast under
him, presents the very picture of in
difference to the world around him.
The great swift wind spreading over
the desert emptied on it snow-laden
pufs that whirled and wrapped cloud
Of fakes about horse aud rider in the
symbol of a shroud. De Spain gave
no heed 10 these skirmishinc eddies,
but he knew what was behind them,
and Tor the wind. he only wished Il
might keep the snow in the air TIL he
! caught sight OF Nan.
The even reach Of the horse brought
him 10 the point where Nan had
I changed TO the stage wagon. Without
4 break in her long stride. Lady Jane
/ took the hint OF her swerylng rider,
I put her nose into the wind, and headed
north. De Spain, alive 10 the diihcul,
I ties OF has venture. set his hat lower
and bent forward TO follow the wagon
along the sand. With the first Of the
white iurries passed, he found himself
In q snoSless pocket. as IL were. OF the
advancing storm. He hoped for moth.
Ing from the prospect ahead; but ev-
cry moment Of respite from the blind
ing whIrl was a gain. and with his ewes
close on the trail that had carried Nan
into danger. he urged the Lady on.
When the snow again closed down
about MIN he calculated from the
rou-hness OF the country that he
should be within a mile OF the road
that Nan was trying TO reach. from the
gap 20 Sleepy Cat. But the broker
ground straisht ahead would prsyent
her from driving dirsetly q II. Hi
knew she must hold 10 lhe right, ans
her curving track, now becoming dim
cult 10 trail. confirmed hLS conclusion
I - AAt>u UElNc o. &c WHO nul-tlet
him as he tc-esi directly north. Onl,
at Intervals could Ae see sny trace OF
the wagon wheels. The driving snow
corlp-iled h.m more than once 10 dis
mount and search for the trail. Eaei
time he lost 1t the effort 10 regain &
was more prolonged At times he wa
compelled TO ride the desert in wid'
circles TO find the tracks, and this COS
time when minutes might mean life
But as long as he could he c,ung q
the struggle 10 track her exactly. H.
saw almost where the storm had strucl
the two wayfarers. Neither, he knew
was insensible 10 its dangers. Wha
amazed him was that man like Duk'
Morgan should be out in il. He founC
a spot where they had halted and. witt
a start that checked the beating Of hi
heart. his eyes fell on her footprin