The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-07-17


They were nearing small bridge
over Bear creek. the sounds of Has
ken's jewellers growing nearer and
'"nder. Suddenly they heard an oath
and shot, and the next moment
wild rider. flashing a foaming horse
with a singing quirt, was upon them.
WestcOtt barely had time to swing the
girl to safety as the tornado flew past.
THE drunken fool" he muttered
quietly. "A puncher riding for camp.
There will be more up ahead prob
ably"
His little act Of heroism drew the
man strangely near TO Miss Donovan.
and as they hurried along In the silent
night she felt that above all he was
dependable, as if. too. she had known
him months. aye years. instead of
scant hour. And in this strange cOun-
try she needed a friend.
Nov that I've laid bare my past"
he was saying. don't you think you
might tell me why you are here"
The girl Stiffened. To say that she
was from the New York Star would
close many avenues Of information to
her No. the thing to do was to adopt
some stall" that would enable her to
idle about as much as she chose. Then
the mad horSeman gave her the idea
oh" she exclaimed, 81 forgot
hadn't mentioned it. I'm assigned by
Scribbler's Magazine to do an article
on The Old West, Is 1t Really Gomez
and, Mr.. Westcott, | think l have d
lovely start"
A few moments later she thanked
Providence for her precaution, for her
companion resumed the story Of his
mining claim.
It's might funny I haven't heard
from that partner 1t isn't like him
not to answer my wire. That's why
I've waited every night at the depot.
No, it's not like Pep, even if he does
take his leisure at the College club"
Miss Donovan's spine tingled at the
mention of the name. "Pep." she muir
INJURED. trying to be calm. what was
his other name?"
"Cavendish," Westcott replied.
FREDERICK Cavendish'
A gasp almost escaped the girls
lips. Here, within an hour. she had
linked the many eastern clues of the
Cavendish affair with one in the West.
Was ever girl so lucky? And imme-
diately her brain began to work furi-
ously as she walked along.
A sudden turn about the base Of a
large cliff brought them to Haskell. a
single street running up the broaden
ing valley, lined mostly with shacks,
although few more pretentiOus
buildings were scattered here and
there, while an occasional tent tapped
its discolored canvas in the night wind.
They went forward. Westcott watch
full and silent, the vaIise in one hand,
the other grasping her arm. The mar
row stretch of sidewalk was jammed
with men, surging in and out through
the open door of saloon, and the
| two held to the middle of the road,
which was lined with horses tied to
long poles. Men reeled out into the
| street, and occasionally the sharp
crack of some frolicsOme revolver
punctuated the hoarse shouts and
bursts of drunken laughter. No other
| womsn was visible, yet, apparently. nc
particular attention was paid to their
| progress. But the stream of men
thickened perceptibly, until Westcotl
| was obliged to shoulder them aside
| good-humOredly in order to open @
passage. He released her arm and
suddenly gripped the shoulder of 9
man passing. He was the town mar
shall.
"Say, Dan. reckon this is your busy
night, but l wish you'd help me run
this lady through as far as Timmons
this bunch of longhorns appear to be
milling, and we're plum stalled"
| The man turned and stared at them
Short stockily built, appearing at frs
view almost grotesQue under the broat
brim of his hat. Stella. recognizing The
marshal, was conscious only of clean
shaven face. square jaw and pail
| Of stern blue eyes.
"Oh, is that you, Jim?" he asked
briefly. Lord, don't see why biz
boob like you should need a guardian
The lady? Pardon me. madam" ant
he touched his hat. "Stand back there
you fellows. Come on. folks!"
The little marshal knew his bust
ness, and it was also evident that thu
crowd knew the little marshal. Drunk
and quarrelsome as many of then
were, they made way-the more OBJ
streperous suIlenly. but the majorit!
| In a spirit Of rough good humor. Tit
three passed straight through thu
surging mass in the man-crowded lob
by of the disreputable hotel.
AT the desk, wide-eyed with excite
ment, Miss Donovan took service
worn pen proffered by landlord Pet
| Timmons, whose gray whiskers were
as unkempt as his hotel, and regis
| tered her name.
| "A telegram came today for you
| ma am" Peter said in cracked voice
| and tossed it over.
/ Miss Donovan tore 1t open. 1t wa!
/ from FarriSS. II read: