Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-27

utTu, duu ne SWdltuNcu VuiCkly.
! Time had come for Il choice, now!
here was a man asking him what he
had thought he might be forced to vol
unteer. And he said, a trifle heavily:
"Oh, several things. There's been
too much bOotleggins over in the bend
| and from there on in toward town.
I've been keeping quiet, and have had
a man over there for week. may
have to go over at any time, now, and
look around myself
! There was an alibi. placed in the
knowledge of man who could spread
| it, if such became necessary! And Bob
Mitchell felt a great sense of secure
! satisfaction.
But only for a moment. Kennedy
rose to so and swayed again - actor
that he was, Then he turned to
Mitchell as though in after-thought
Il understand payments coming off
next week" He lowered his voice.
They tell me they'll bring the money
in from the north. Lon Gilbright's to
do the stunt-all alone.
up at the agency they think that's
the safest-because of this story about
Sears being near. One man in buggy
can carry a lot of money without at
tracing attention. You've heard?"
I Bob Mitchell had unconsciously
taken his feet from the desk, unfolded
his hands and placed them on the arms
OF his chair
mo. they haven't told ME yet" he
said, with an obvious effort to pre-.
serve the natural qualities of his voice.
well, they'll probably give 1t to you
officially in day or twO-and maybe
they'll say nothing at all. admire Gil.
bright's herewith this story about
Sears going the rounds.
He buttoned his coat and yawned
again, watching. as he went through
the languid motions, the face of the
deputy.
Tired tonight. Good night, Bob;
see you tomorrow
might, Walt
The door closed Out in the street
Kennedy smiled grimly, triumphantly.
In the Office Bob Mitchell looked about
him quickly, something in his eyes
like that of a hunted animal!
That was why Ruth Mitchell, aris-
ing from a sleepless interval at sun
rise, received no answer to the tapping
on her fathers door Walter kenne-
dy's craft had planned it well; his ex-
ecution had been faultless, and by
dawn Bob Mitchells big black horse
was bearing him swiftly westward,
away from the agency and its pOten-
tias, out to look for those who ped
died whiskey to the Indians Out TO
answer the logical call of duty.
When she discovered that her father
had gone. leaving no word beyond
that which warned not to expect him
for fortnight, perhaps, Ruth stood as
though suddenly deprived of abilities
to think and feel
Through those long silent hours that
follow midnight along to the dawn,
she had lain in her bed fighting
through to solution of her problem.
On desperate impulse she had fol-
lowed Ellis Hardy. craftily, even driv'
ias back the faithful greyhound lest
its presence betray her, She had dis
covered his secret and became pos.
uc h. t,,r Of IN fnY. w n
the community had searched so dill
gently after the attempted raid on the
bank.
!, In any other circumstance she would
not have countenanced such method
but she found that love. of a man
warped all her standards of Judgment
all her motives!
Ellis Hardy had declared to her his
intention of turning on Bart Sears as
soon as his duties Of attending physi
clan were neutralized by the outlaw 5
returning strength. and she had pic
tured what might follow with horror
that drove her from her lovers pres
ence.
For a brief moment kiheka and the
whole reservation would laud him
Then the enthusiasm would cool, crys
tallize and the men would come to un
derstand that they had momentaril,
approved a trick which, on considers
ton, was repulsive to them.
She remembered how 1t had beer
when Ben Patton, deputy working
under her father, had brought in the
body Of horse-thief. shot through the
back. He had been reviled generally;
his plea that he was man with wife
and family silenced some. but the ma
iority of men condemned him. theil
sense of fair play surrounding ever
their allegiance to a spirit OF law ant
order.
How, then, would men look on Elli'
Hardy. who had treated and nurset
this man, night after night, week OF
week. until he had won the outlaws
closest confidence, and only to sent
an oficer-her father-to trap Searl
where he rested, trustful, unsuspect
ing.
In the travail OF reasoning II all on
she forgot even the stab which hi
sudden sharpness for her had sen
shooting to the uttermost ends OF he
being. forgot all else but that the MAJ
who had made love to her was stridinl
toward the limellght Of popular dlsap
III ~ 80