Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-29
''DoC!''
BY
BY HAROLD TITUS.
Author OF ITO the Victor"
Copyright
The Frank A. Munsey Company
The Frank A. Munsey Company

The girl rode with tight, white face.
lips pressed 30 closely together that
none Of their cOloring showed, eyes
blazing, thoughts swimming round and
round one fixed point. She gave no
heed to the pinto's streaming TANKS.
II was work. but he did not tire bad
ly: so she held him relentlessly to the
pace, for speed meant everything.
She did not know what she would
say, did not know what she would do.
Her mind was fixed on one single
point which stood out above all else
in her experience as important. and
which she must give heed before she
could even rest.
Not once did she feel fear. That
note of personal danger had never
been sounded, for she was lifted above
her femninity by the burning purpose
which urged her on.
And before she knew it she was be-
fore the Navin cabin. standing there
in the glare of the sun. swinging off
her pony and standing on limbs that
shook just a trifle.
The door was closed, but smoke
slipped upward from the chimney
briskly, impelled by a strong draft,
and the girl knew some one was with
in. She stood moment beside the
pony and unconsciously stroked its
wet neck then, with "a muttered word
to the r.nto, she walked quickly for
ward.
Her tile goved hand raped on
the heavy, rough doos, and he waited.
From within, voice gruffly:
Come in"
The tone was careless, casual--yet
I'm ). was something which sent a thrill
of waloing through Ruth's body. She
had not reckoned on this, had not
planned how it might be. With hand
upifted she looked down and strug'
gled to think.
Then she knocked again.
The sound of step moving slowly
The voice, with its bidding, again
And a third time the girl raped, a
determination lighting her eyes.
She would not be trapped. She
would stand there in the sunlight,
with Spot only a few yards behind
her.
Il want TO talk to you.' she said
slowly.
The first words wanted to come in
a trembe. but she mastered her re-
bellious voice and the declaration
ended in a clear, defiant tone.
The footsteps sounded again, com
ing toward me door. Ruth drew back
a pace. A hand fumbled With she
latch, and the door swung inward half
a foot The man Navin showed his
face.
"Oh. good mornin, Miss Mitchell
he said with exaggerated Difference
Il didn't know who twas till | seen
your horse. Come in?'
He swung the door wide, but Ruth
only drew back step. She felt that
words must choke in her throat and
give way to tears, but fought nightly
to drive herself into controlled think.
ing.
A break in the thinking on the far
side of the house helped her. The mud
which plastered the spaces between
logs had fallen out just below a
window which stood open. leaving a
space foot long and half a hands
breadth in width. A movement behind
it caught her eye.
The thing which moved was a mans
leg, boot clad.
The room behind Navln was empty
She felt she had caught his design,
then was sure when he urged.
won't you come in an set Pm
all alone, you see" He swept his hand
in gesture at the room.
Ruth looked at him scornfully for
moment, and he became confused
under her yaze.
II came here to talk to Bart Sears,
she said quietly.
ooh, Miss Mitchell, yof shore DOM
think I'm harborin' outlaws, do you!'
II know it,"
"Oh, Miss Mitchell" the man was
frightened now-"just you come in
an look around. They amt sou
here"
The boot leg moved back into
sight.
when your friends slip through
windows at the coming OF visitors
don't let them stand before holes ir
the wall of your housed"
Navin followed her indicating fin
ger just In time 10 see the boot tol
Su@ppeayk again. He drew long. an
dible breath and turned his back t.
the RirI