Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-06-07
nation he had cleaned at the registry

the cabin, as he had intended doing, he
would find her note.
With heart beating in time to the
muffled 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 stufing a
piece of white paper into his pocket.
His back was toward her, and he had
doubtless mistaken the tread of her
horse for the trampling of his own
beast.
Look here, Dave LumlyT
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 defantly, making a move
ment to grasp her bride rein.
"Stop there or I'll firew she said
calmly.
"Whar do you wantT' 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 I don't?' he grinned saw
agely.
"Why, If you don't" she said, with
calculating glance, II believe I'll just
hora VOur riOhf n nm
'The devil you will! It seems to me
you are pretty highly tightly, MISS"
"Are you going to do it," she
asked
"Oh, sure; Of course couldn't refuse
a 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 upr' 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 1t between his lips, and In an
other instant it fell to the ground a
mass Of pulp. Lumly laughed exult-
antly.
Molly Gray whitened about the lips.
"Other hand up!" she commanded
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 asceytained that there was no
other weapon. The man trembled
slightly. 1t was a pesky dangerous
thing to have a 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. l advise
you, Dave Lumly, if you value your
life, to prospect around Cartertown
way for a few years. The trail is
plain; there's your horse. and I'm CIV
ing you chance"
Lumly looked back down the trail
Several hOrsemen were riding rapidly
up Crow creek bottom. There was a
fash Of sunlight on metal.
With muttered curse he turned to-
ward his horse. You'll pay for this
holdup. girl" he said threateningly.
"It's not a holdup; it's a 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 a
scatter Of flying stones. Molly Gray.
with trembling lips, smiled upon them
Where is heT' demanded Pete, while
the other men looked mingled disap-
pointment and admiration upon pretty
Molly.
She pointed toward the west, where
. solitary horseman was silhouetted
against the amber sunset sky ere It
dropped behind distant hill.
$50 you let the critter so!' uttered
the sheriff ruefully.
Pete looked at her Questioningly.
II didn't want bloodshed ON Crow
rock, Pete" /" she explained In low tone.
A Light Of understanding came into
bis eyes. He nodded his head. That's
al right, sheriff. I guess that coyote
won't jump any more claims here
abouts, I reckon"
where Is your claim, Peter asked
Hodges, looking curiously around.
Here It Is" interpolated Molly,
blushing. HE was jumping It when
"And you stood him OftY chorused