The Jasper news., 1920-06-03


does Her gaze went swiftly Dacs - |
him. "Let the talk with him. There's
a reason why he ought TO be free nav. |
one that would appeal to him"
This was what he had come for, but |
now that she had met him half way be
hesitated. II she should NOT succeed
he would be worse on than before He
could neither hold her prisoner nor
free her to lead the pack Of the law
to his hiding place. On the other hand
II Cullison Thought they intended to
keep her prisoner he would have TO
compromlse. He dared not leave her
in the hands Of Lutte Blackwell. Fen
drick decided to take o chance. At the
worst he could turn them both free
and leave for Sonora.
''All right. I'll take you to him
But you'll have to do as say"
Eyes" she agreed.
"You've got to persuade Luck to
come through with an agreement to
let go OF that Del Orc homestead and
TO promise not to prosecute us He
won't do II to save his own life. He's
got to think you come there as my
prisoner. Seer He's got to wrestle
with the notion that you're In the
power OF the damnedest villain that
ever went unhung. mean Blackwell.
Let him chew on that proposition
while and see what he makes Of It. /"
She nodded, white to the lips. "Let
us 90 at once, please" She called
across to the corral: Manuel, saddle
the pinto for me. Hurryi"
They rode together through the
wind-swept sunlit land. From time to
time his lazy glance embraced her,
supple, graceful creature, at perfect
ease In the saddle. What was II about
her that drew the eye SO irresistiblyi
Prettier girls he had often seen. Her
| features were irregular. mouth and
nose too large, face little thin. Her
contour lacked the softness, the allure
that in some women was an uncon-
scious Invitation to cuddle. Tough as
whipcord she might be. but In her
there flowed a life vital~and strong;
dwelt a spirit brave and unconquer-
able. She seemed to him as little subtle
as any woman he had ever met. This
! dIrectness came no doubt fIom living
so far from feminine Influences. But
he had feeling that II man once
wakened her love, the instinct OF SEX
would spring full-grown into being
Luck lay stretched full length on q
bunk, his face to the roof, a wreath
of smoke from his cigar travelling slow
ly toward the ceiling into 6lmy blue
cloud which hung above him. he
looked the personlfication Of vigorous
full.blooded manhood at ease.
By the table, facing him squarely,
sat Jose Dominguez, q neatly built
Mexican with swapping black eyes. q
manner Of pleasant sunvlty and an
ever-ready smile that displayed dou-
BILE row of shining white teeth. That
smile did not for an instant deceive
Luck. He knew that Jose had nc
grudge against him. that. he was very
respectable citizen, and that he would
! regretfuliy shoot him full OF holes Il
occasion called for so drastic q ter
mlnation to their acquaintance. Fol
DomInguez had third interest In th'
} @. F. ranch and he was the last man II
the world to sacrifice his business FOL
sentiment. Having put the savings O.
} a lifetime into the sheep business, h
I did not propose to let anybody deprive
3 him of his profits. either legally o.
{ Illegally.
a The tinkle of hoofs from the rive
r bed in the gulch below rose through
: the clear air. The Mexican move'
p swiftly to the door and presently
7 waved a handkerchief.
I "What gent are you wig-wagging I,
! nowf" Luck asked from the bed
Il Thought knew all you bold bad ban
dts by this time. Or Is It Cass bacl
e againT"
o Eyes, it's Cass. There's some on
with him, too. 1t is woman" tn
I Mexican discovered In apparent SUI
q prise.
a "a womanF Luck tooA the ciga
I from his mouth In vague uneas'
d "What is he doing here with won
n ami"
n The Mexican smiled behind his ope
,r hand. "Your question anticipates MIN
senor. too ask the same"
Ie The sight Of his daughter in tn
W doorway went through the cattlema
c. with chilling shock. She ran fol
e. ward and with a pathetic cry Of 10
,f threw herself upon him where b
W stood. His hands were tied behin
X him. Only by the turn OF his hen