The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-05-29

careless of their lives. No mercy was
to be expected from their hands II
once he fell among them. He shivered
;. as a tall shaft OF q pare cree, dead and
stark. stood out In the distance against
the clear gold of the sunset line. 1t
was on such a tree he had seen q
cattle thief hang, CHASTITY against the
sky, as he rode by once Just at night
fall. 1t might easily be HIS fate be-
fore another sunset. II he could not
get away In the night all chance of
escape before they reached Hawk val
ley was gone, for well he knew Jasper
Hollis men were set at intervals along
tthe way, sentinels ready to head him
lon. And what treatment could he Q
pect from either Jasper Holt or his
mon with that discriminating wallet In
his pocket? He had been a fur, to take
up with Harrington's offer. Money or
no money, 1t wasn't worth the risk. He
was getting to be an old "a and not
so ready to face death as when his
blood was hot and HIS hand steady.
He had not. even any weapons of de-
Tense, thanks to his grim captor who
had <disarmed him while he slept, the
first night OF their journey together.
There had never been any open recog-
milton OF the fact between them, save
that one glance as Scathlin put his
hand to the pocket where 1t had been
and was not. He had charged with
his eyes in n look OF helpless fury,
ood IIoits, oIaar ora aya. had mat Eia
u~nfiinchingly in acknowledgment. That
had been all, but Scathlin knew then
that there was rothing for him but to
evade Holt and get away II possible.
He would stand no chance In an open
conflict, and his captor a. ~untiringly
vigilant. He glanced again at the
stern face opposite him, wondering
what would be the fate to which he
was surely, swiftly fastening. States
prison? Or would they take the law
into their own hands? He knew what
that might mean only too well, and
again the desperate look passed over
his face with Hate and Murder looking
dimly from his eyes. How he would
like to spring at that slim brown
throat opposite him and throttle the
life from the young fellow. Only a kid
Ia mere kid-Aand yet he had with
stood many, and had power to cruch
Scathlin in spite Of, all his boasted
cunning. The look Of a. serpent crept
into the little cleaning eyes of the
old man as he noticed the quick glance
his companion cast at the girl across
the aisle; and his own ayes followed
y, flled7with hate. Yea, he would like 20
drive his fat, hairy fingers into the
white throat OF the girl before the
eyes OF her gallant defender II only he
had Holt helpless! But instead. here
was he. helpless himself! And he
must find a way to escape before morn
ing, or else get rid of that wallet in
some safe way. Surely, surely Holt
would be of his guard sometimes for a
little space. He had scarcely slept a
wink for four days; how could he en-
. tdure IL much longer?
But Scathlin's c%ogitatrons were cut
short by the entrance of the conductor
at last and he turned to watch the girl
as she spoke to him.
II was to have had a section re-
served for me-" she was saying to the
conductor. my brotherinlaw, Mr..
James Harrington. Of Hawk valley, ar
ranged for it, and telegraphed me that
II was all right. See, I have the tele.
gram. But the porter said I must
come in here until l saw you because
had no ticket for the Pullman"
She held out the yellow envelope
and the conductor looked at 1t.
your brothers name Is Harrington?
You are going to Hawk valley?"
He looked at her sharply. "Well,
Just wait a few minutes till I go
through the next car and then I'll see
to it. 1t ought to be all right"
He hustled on his way attending to
his passengers and the girl sat back
again to wait.
At the name Harrington" Scathlin
had turned with a start and looked to-
ward the girl; but even in the act he
caught the narrow CLEAN OF Hollis
half closed eyes, and, remembering.
turned back again to his window while
his thoughts went pounding into new
channels. He had made a mistake, OF
course. to let Holt e that he had
heard, so he kept his eyes toward the
window until 1t grew quite dark. But
he had a plan at last. In another
minute he got upon his feet, yawning.
and declared his intention OF getting
q drink of water from the cooler at
the other end OF the car.
Good ideal" said Holt, rising ana
following his captive down the aisle
lazily.
Scathlin reached the cooler frst and
took hts drink, while Holt stood wait.
ing for the cup and let ScathlIn 60
.Sbaokstoa his. s~eztGaioneI apparcntiy mt
noticing him. Scathlin settled back in
his seat with one y on Holt, and q
eye on the girl. -t
Holt stood drinking in a leisurely
way, apparently interested in looking
through the glass Of the door into the
next car, though be was fully aware
that ScathIfu was In the In