Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-04
Doc!
oy
ey HAROLD TITUS.
Author Of ITO the VICTOR
Copyright
The Frank A. Munsey Company
The Frank A. Munsey Company


The Dig bay came on-and the but
tons OF his coat would not yield: he
tore them from their fastenings. and
as Hardy. unconscious of this other
travellers identity. rode alongside,
Kennedy whipped from the holster
against his side heavy revolver.
Fool" he screamed. Hardy,
you fool! YOU
He threw the muzzle OF the gun
close TO the others body as he crowd.
ed his gray horse hard against that
which Hardy rode. He even heayed
his body forward as though he would
give added impetus to the bullet, and
lifted his voice in a senseless, animal
taunt.
But his finger did not press the
trigger. With short, downward
stroke OF his forearm a movement
swifter than any which could be CO.
sciously directed - Hardy swung the
loaded butt of his Quirt, and the stout
slug thudded against Kennedy's wrist
His taunt rose to sharp wall OF
pain, and the fingers lost ability to
retain their hold on the gun; the
weapon clattered to the stones, and
Kennedy, of balance, pitched forward
against Hardy.
Don't touch me you filth he
cried. and drove in the spurs.
The big bay bounded off. and Ken
tpedy. I'm ieated. saved himself fall
only by catching the sadde-horn in
the crooi, OF his good arm he vent
down.
II haven't time for you tonight
Hardy called back. But you're
driven to the open, Kennedy-to the
open"
His words floated back like a knell
To- the other-and once more he rode
for Kiheka; not with conflicting emo.
tions this time; with but one long,
burning purpose-and his mouth was
dry with fear.
With his remaining good hand Ken.
nedy had just made a light in his
ONCE when Ruth Mitchell raced down
into the triangle at mad gallop. fan
ming the pinto with her Quirt and
calling his name, tears binding her,
heart hammering.
She swung to the left. intont on
making Kennedy's home, when she
saw the light in the office and his gray
horse standing In II.
She set her pony on his launches
before the sidewalk, and cried his
name in tense, bitter voice.
where are you going at this
time of night" he asked, running
from his office. expecting anything
after all that had happened.
He was trembling. even to voice,
completely unnerved; all that cool de-
liberation which had characterized
him in other days was gone with the
knowledge that his true self had been
revealed; that he had reached the
brink with no way out behind.
Where is my father"
She shot the question at him as
though she losthed the very words.
"Your-rwhy-why should ! know,
RUTH"
waiter Kennedy you're lying to
me-" she cried raising her clencbed
hand as though she would strike his
drawn face.
YOU'RE lying to me--and know 1t
this time! He's never made a move
in all these years without telling you
He's told you things that he hasn't
even breathed to me.
you know where he went yester'
day, and you know where he is TO-
night. You tell me! Tell mel"
Y She was magnificent, a living. vi
hrating, dominating young goddess
and the intensity Of her struck to the
heart of the craven, swept him down
and away from the shreds OF caution
which events Of the last hour might
have left him.
"1-why--he went away he"
"Where?" demanded the girl under
her breath, leaning low. her face
thrust close to his - SO close that he
could feel her hot breath on hit
cheek. where? You tell me where
Walter Kennedy, or--or--"
No threat that she could have ut
tered would have been as ominous, al
compelling as her unfinished sentence
He said--he--he said" Kennel,
whispered, half turning away, eyer
darting as though for an avenue o
physical escape. He said he wa'
going west; he - be always stays a
the--the Holly ranch, He sal"
rs this the trvith--or another lie?'
She ltralghtened In the saddle AM