Gilpin observer., 1917-02-22
SIXTH EPISODE
Major Brent's Perfidy.

Adams hesitated moment. Then
he removed the belt from his waist
and fastened it on Pearl.
its yours by r-rights. anyhow.
Promise me t-that you'll do nuthin' un-
til you see m-me again, If ever show
up. And If 1 d-don't ever see you
again, waal. jest keep it. DIDO you
promise that, g-girl?"
II promise"
He gave the horses bride a twist,
crying: "Gop
In a second she was out of sight and
he leaped into a clump Of bushes. A
bullet tipped close to his ears. He took
deliberate aim at the moving shadows
among the trees and discharged his
carbine three times. An uncertain sus-
pense ensued. Then he attempted to
cross the open space to steal after
Pearl
He ran little forward, firing re-
peatedly and successfully with each
shot at horsemen galloping up and re-
treated to the edge Of the declivity
with q downward glance at the appar-
emily sheer drop.
One loaded shell remained in the
carbine. He bided his moment, fired
and tossing the now useless weapon
at his pursuers leaped into the air.
He fell upon a slightly protruding
rocky shelf and drew his body into a
natural groove, where he was COM
pletely hidden from sight.
II heard no fall" presently exclaim-
ed a Granadian voice at the top Of
the precipice.
"You fool! Who could hear? The
depth is at least one thousand feet.
Come! 1 have no desire to see an
other dead gringo tonight"
1t was Bolero who spoke.
Adams waited long time in the ST.
lsnce after their departure. Then with
difficulty he began the ascent. He
was out of breath when he regained
the summit and began to pick up the
threads of Pearls trail.
Several hours later he came upon
the horse tethered in thicket in the
secluded bottom of the ravine and
found Pearl not far away seated under
jutting ledge of sandstone. She was
wrapped in the troopers blanket.
She gave little cry of Joy, holding
out both hands impulsively. II knew
you would comew
He returned her hand clasp and in
spected her. "I'm going tito build you
IRE and het you up. You'll be get
ting pneumony, If l amt careful OF
you"
She laughed artlessly. "Why, In
almost dry and" feeling his clothing
SO are you"
Its t-the climate" was his simple
comment; and he started to build the
fire.
She watched every movement OF
this mysterious man. He seemed tc
be able to accomplish anything he at
tempted to do. In twinkllng a warn
fire, its blaze prudently concealed, was
burning In a crevice.
"Het yourself up, g-glrl, while l ri,
your tent" he urged In his homel,
way; and Pearl obediently sat dowr
close TO the fire for which she wa.
truly thankful.
He set up the tent ard, indicatin,
that she might retire at any time, us
sumed squatting position before til,
fire.
"Who really are your? she asked af
ter long silence.
"Fm not m-much OF nuthin', girl,
he ruminated. I'm as ignorant as
c-cow."
"You are and you aren't" she quail
fed, shrewdly. You're n genuine puz
zle. For example-this belt" Sh
stopped. watching him covertly.
"Yes'm?"
Explain what you meant by sayin
that this belt properly belongs to me.
THAT b-belt, MAN." he replied, soft
ly. after "a long pause. twas the p-proI
erty of the-of Captain Payne"
She was greatly impressed. rs
that's the secret!" she murmuret
touching the belt reverently with he
fingers. "And that explains why Mt
jor Brent wanted me to have it. Oh
I'm SO glad for this explanation. Ths
sets Thornton right"
She rose shortly and with cor