The Mena weekly star., 1917-07-19

Els he galloped up to big barn, with this fhe doorway, Bull Page. # De Spain regarded him with aston ishment. How did you get hereY" was his sharp question. Page grinned. Got what was aft ,er, and c'm' back sooner'n I expected. Halfway over to the gap, I met Duke bnd the young gal on horseback, head Ed for Calabasas. They pulled up. I zpulled up. Old Duke looked kind O ga nted, and it seemed like Nan was in zb considerable hurry to get to Sleepy Cat with him, and he couldn't stand the saddle. Anyway, they was heading For Calabasas to get a rig from McAl- bin. I knowed McAlpin would never give old Duke a rig. not if he was za-dyin' in the saddle" They've got your rigT cried De SSpain.
 The gal asked me If I'd mind ac- scommodatin' 'em," explained Bull dep recatingly, "tc save time" They headed north l' exclaimed De 8Spain. The light from the fast-chang- Eng sky fell copper-coiored across his horse and figure. McAlpin, followed by s hostler. appeared at the barn door.
 Bull nodded to De Spain. Said they wanted to get there quick. She fig'erd &on savin few miles by strikin' the hill trail in. So takes their horses hnd lets on I was headin' for the gap. When they got out of sight, l turned .fround-r
 Even as he spoke, the swift-rolling curtain of mist overhead plotted the sun out of the sky. De Spain sprang from his saddle with ringing order to McAlpin. "Get np fresh saddIe-horse l" "A horse l'' cried the startled barn boss, whirling on the hostler. "The strongest legs in the stable, and don't lose a secondi Lady Jane; up with heri" he yelled. believing his orders Anto the echolng barn with his hands to his mouth. up with her for Mir. de Spain in secondl Marmonl Becker zLanzon What in h-I are you all do- qngT' he roared. rushing back with a fusiilade of oaths. Look alive, every bodyI'
 "Coming" yelled one voice after an other from the depths of the distant stalls.
 De Spain ran into the office. Page caught his horse, stripped the rife From It's holster, and hurriedly began snncfnching. Hostlers running through #'he barn called shrilly back and forth, sand De Spain springlng up the stairs zto his room provided what he wanted S1or his hurried flight. When he dashed z1own with coats on his arm the hoofs eof Lady Jane were clattering down the gong gangway. A stable-boy slid from #her back on one side as Bull Page shrew the saddle across her from the #other; hostlers caught at the cinches, While others hurriedly rubbed the legs of the quivering mare. De Spain, his Hhand on McAlpiE's shoulder, was giv- H2ng his parting injunctions. and the zparn boss. head cooked down, and eyes zcast furtively on the scattering snow
 iakes outside. was listening with an at tention that recorded indelibly every nttered syllable.
 # once only. he interrupted: "Eenry, you're rsdin' out into this thing alone Mont do 1t.
 T can't help it.' snapped De Spain ampatiently.
 4 It's man killer"
 "l can't help it."
 Bob Scott, if he w's here, 'ud never tet you do it. I'll ride wi ye myself,
 enry- l worked for your father M You're toe old man, Jim"
 Henry"
 Don't talk to me ! Do as tell you Y thundered De Spain.
 McAlpIn bowed his head.
 keadyi" yelled Page. buckling the
 me holster in place. Still talking, and
 Nitn McAlpin glued to his elbow, De
 pain vaulted into the saddle, caught ne lines from Bulls hands. and