Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-12-28
CHAPTER Nv.
The Mystery of the Missing.

Mayhem Charlie Fox rooe down to
wv the Wolverine q month or so
later, tied his horse under the
shed and came up to the cabin as
though he knew of no better place in
all the world when he greeted "mom-
lmie" as though she were something
precious in his sight and talked with
her about the things she was most in
terested In and actually made her feel
as If he were immensely interested al
SO, Billy Louise simply could not help
admiring him and liking him for his
frank good nature and his kindness.
She had never before met a man just
like Charlie Fox, though she had known
many who were what Ward once called
''parlor broke"
1t was not until Charlie vas leaving
that he gave Billy Louise a hint that
his errand was not yet accomplished.
She walked down with him to where
his horse was tied and so gave him a
bloom against the dull brown Of the
chance to speak what was In his mind.
"You know, l hate to mention little
worries before your mother" he said.
"Those pathetic eyes of hers make me
ashamed to bother her with a thing.
But l am worried, Miss Louise. l came
over to ask you If you've seen anything
of four calves of ours. 1 know you
ride a good deal through the hills.
They disappeared a week ago, and I
can't find any trace of them. I've been
looking all through the hills, but I can't
locate them"
Billy Louise had not seen them, Ell
ther, and she begged for particulars.
81 don't see how they could get away
from your cove" she said, unless your
bars were down"
1.-THE bars were all right. 1t was last
Friday, l think. I'm not sure. They
were in the little meadow above the
house, you see. l was away that night,
and Aunt Martha is a little hard of
hearing. She wouldn't hear anything
unless there were considerable noise.
I came home the next forenoon-I was
over to Seaback's-and the bars were
in place then. Aunt Martha had not
been up the gorge nor had any one
come to the ranch while 1 wa gone.
So you see, Miss Louise, here's a very
pretty mystery"
"You think they were driven off,
don't your" Billy Louise asked a ques-
ton with the words and made a state
ment of it with her tone, which was a
trick of hers.
Charlie Fox shook his head, but his
eyes did not complete the denial. Miss
Louise, I'd work every other theory to
death before I'd admit that possibility.
l don't know all of my neighbors so
very well, but l should hesitate a long,
long time"
at needn't have been a neighbor.
There are lots of strange men passing
through the country. Did you look for
tracks?"
81 did not. 1 didn't want to admit
that possibility. l decline to admit it
now" The chin of Charlie Fox squar-
ed ~perceptibly, so that Billie Louise
caught a faint resemblance to Marthy
in his face. 81 saw a man accused of
a theft once" he said. "The evidence
was-or seemed-absolutely unassaila-
BILE. And afterward he was exonerat-
ed completely. 1t was just a horrible
mistake. But he left school under a
cloud. His life was ruined by the
blunder. I'd have to know absolutely
before I'd accuse any one of stealing
those calves, Miss Louise. I'd have to
see them In a mans corral, with his
brand on them-I believe that's the
way it's done out here-and even
then"
"Where have you 1ookedT" There
were reasons why this particular sub
ject was painful to Billy Louise. "And
lare You sure they didn't get out Of