The Arvada enterprise., 1918-05-02

| hesitation was not by any means q
mental habit with Billy Louise.
II mean Just what said" Char
lies manner was becoming more nat
ural, more confident. 1--WE been rid
ing through the hills good deal, and
I've seen a few things. And I've an
idea the fellow got little uneasy"
He saw her vince little at the word
''fellow," and he went on, with an
impulsive burst Of confidence: "Miss
Louise. have you ever, in your riding
around up above Jones canyon. In all
those deep little gulches, have you ever
seen anything Of a-corral, up thereT
Billy Louise held herself rigidly
from starting at this. She bit her lips
so that 1t hurt. whereabouts is it2"
she asked, without looking at him.
And then: II thought you would go to
any length before you would accuse
anybody"
II would. But when they deliberate
ly try to hand me the blame-and I'm
not accusing anybody-anybody in
particular, am I? The corral is at the
head Of a steep little canyon or gulch,
back in the hills where all these bigger
canyons head. Some time when you're
riding up that way, you keep an eye
out for It. That" he added grimly.
us where Peter and ran across
these cattle; right near that corral"
The heart Of Billy Louise went heavy
in her chest. Was 1t possiblel Doubts
are harder to kill than cats or snakes.
You think they're done for, and here
they come again, crowding close 10
that one can see nothing else.
"Have you any idea at all, who
1t Isl" She forced the words out Of
her dry throat. She lifted her head de-
6antly and looked at him full, trying
to read the truth from his eyes and
his mouth.
Charlie Fox met her look, and In his
eyes she read pity-yes, pity for her.
"If have" he said, with an air Of
gently deliberate evasion, "rll wait till
am dead before name the man. I'm
not at all sure I'd do 1t even then, Miss
Louise: not unless I was forced to do
It In self-defense. That's one reason
why I brought the cattle down here.
didn't want to be placed in q posi-
ton where I should be compelled 10
nght back"
Banned and angry and hurt to the
very soul Of her. Billy Louise opened
the gate and went out IF you know
anything to tell, for heavens sake don't
hold back on my account It's nothing
to me. one way Or the other. I'm no
rustlee. and NO friend Of rustlers, II
that's what you're limiting at" She
left them With proud lift to her chin
and very straight back. went to Blue.
and mounted him mechanically. Billy
Louise was seeing red" Just then. She
rode back past the gate, the three were
still standing there close together.
talking.
Billy Louise had ridden but q short
distance when. with q sudden impulse
born Of her stern instincts Of justice.
she jerked Blue around and galloped
back. Charlie had disappeared. and
Peter HowlinE Dog was walking sui.
lenly toward the corraled cattle. Mar
thy was going slowly mp the path to
the cabin. looking old and bent and
brOken-spirited because Of her bowed
shoulders and stlfR. rheumatic gait. but
harsh and unyielding a. to her face.
Billy Louise stopped BY the fence and
called to her. Nasthy turned, stared
at her souriy. and stood where shs
was.
"Wall. what d'yuh want nowY' shs
asked uncompromisingly.
Billy Louise fought back an answer.
ing antagonism. She must be Just |;
she could not blame Marthy for feel.
Ing hard toward her. She had insulted
them horribly and killed Marthy's dog.
II want to tell you I'm sorry was
% mean. Aarthy." she said bravely.
II haven't any excuse to make for Il F.:
only you must So yourself what Q
shock II would be to . person to ,nd
those cattle down here. But I know
you're honest. and m II Charlie And
know you'll do whats right. Tn
sorry shot yonr dog. Marthy."
Apologies did not come easily b
Billy Louise. She wheeled then and
rode away at q furious gallop, bsfoes
Aarthy could do more than open hss
grim lips for reply.
CTo BE CONTlNUED.)