The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-01-09

| OF the desert tho train gathered
speed. Hour after hour sat Win.
throp. reading and occasionally
CHANGING out across the desert.
His was tho widest Of wildgooss
chages. 4 stranger had told him
o' mysterious ledge OF gold, and
named a desert toWn-the town to-
ward which Winthrop was Journey
ing. Would the eccentric Overland
Red be there7 Winthrop hoped 80.
He wanted 10 believe that this
Ulysses Of the outlands had spoken
truth.
He imakined Overland Reds sur.
prise when one William Stanley
Winthrop. late OF New York, should
appear. equipped 10 the chin and
eager 10 participate In the hunt for
the lost gold. Then again. the pros
pector might not care 10 be bur-
dened with the companionship OF a
tenderfoot.
The uncertainty OF his welcome
lent zeat 10 Winthrop's enterprise.
lie closed the door OF his drawing
room and wound thru a mahogany
maze toward the dining-car.
Next morning, as the train
slowed down for the desert town.
Winthrop was in the yestibule.
peering out anKiously. II did not
occur 10 him that Overland ReA
knew nothing OF his coming. or that
the other would be waiting on tho
station platform II he did The
tramp had not the faintest desire
to make himself conspicuous. Some
OF Winthrop's enthusiasm had evap-
GRATED during the hot night In the
sleeper
Winthrop got off behind the
porter with his 'plunder." Then.
as the Pullman slid away. he
watched the train crawl down the
track
"Prospectin'7" queried a lank in
dividual. slouching up 10 Winthrop.
"A little" said Winthrop. ''Wiil
you kindly give me a hand with
this monstrosity." indicating the
pack. The agent seems TO be
busy"
Sure She amt roped very
tight"
Which proved 20 be true The
bundle slowly sagged. opened. and
things began TO trickle from 1t in
It's journey across the platform.
Among the things was a bottle OF
brandy. The lank individual picked
this up tenderly and set II TO one
side. Winthrop noticed his solicit
tude and smiled.
we can rope 'em up again" said
the lank one. suddenly becoming
enthusiastic. My names Jim
Hicks. I'm constable here
4 see. Well. I'm William W@
throp. from Los Angeles. I'm a
naturalist. VIII YOU accept CT
gar"
Thanks. You want to pack this
here bottle. too?"
Not right away. Whew. II In
getting hot I'd like 10 get In the
shade somewhere"
There's old Fernando's 'dobe
down the track under them pepper
trees. He's friend Of mine. He
amt TO home today. Mebby you'd
like TO set down there and wait for
your friend"
My friend7"
why. amt you waitin' for any
body You amt goin' TO tackle that
bug.huntin' trip alone. be you?
Now. have took folks out and
only charge four dollars a day and
grub"
II thought you said you we're
constable?"
so / be. Takin' parties across
the desert is on the side. How far
you figurin' on goin'?'
Il haven't made up my mind yet.
Say We 20 down as far as the adobe
you spoke about. as a beginning.
Perhaps we can arrange terms"
I'm on. pard," said the con-
stable.
Under the pepper trees shading
Fernando's adobe sat Winthrop
and the constable. The brandy
bottle was half empty and boxt
OF cigars was open beside ii on the
bench.
IS this way" said the constable.
waving his cigar. You're fren' OF
mine-sure thing S afternoon
now. but was plumb fooled this
mornin'. Thought YOU was the guy
I'm lookin' for H'overlan' Red
bum-tram'. Wire from Loshan-
geles 10 upperan' him II he shows
up here. Thousand dollars rewar'
rr appr'enshun OF 'Verlan' Red.
Thought YOU wus him-hic-hee.
hee,"
Far down the line came the dis
tant blast OF locomotive. The
local freight from Los Angeles was
whistling for the block"
What train is that" asked the
fastener.
The constable's eyelids dropped.
then opened languidly. "Railro'
train, Z course.v And he slid for
ward TO his elbow and thence TO
the bench. Presently he snored.
Winthrop strolled toward the APP
preaching train. Pretty stiff SEES
sion." he commented. Now II
happy chance should bring Over
land Red on this freight, with his
burro outfit. I'll have one reason
to offer for wanting to so with
him."
Continued In Our Next Issue)
A table containing s32 separate
pieces. all of which are detachable,