The Arvada enterprise., 1920-10-21


compromise. He dared not leave hes
In the hands Of Lutte Blackwell. Fen.
drtck decided to take chance. At the
worst he could turn them both free
and leave for Sonora.
All right ri take you to him
But you'll have to do as I say"
"Yes." she agreed.
you've got to persuade Luck to
come through with an agreement to
let go Of that Del Orc homestead anc
to promise not to prosecute us. He
won't do 1t to save his own life. He's
got to think you come there as my
prisoner. See? 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 CD that proposition q
while and see what he makes Of it."
She nodded. white to the lips. LET
rs 60 at once. please" She called
across to the corral: Manuel, saddle
the pinto for me. Hurry!"
They rode together through the
wind-swept sunllt land. From time to
time his lazy glance embraced her. q
supple. graceful creature. at perfect
ease in the saddle. What was 1t about
her that drew the eye so irresistiblyl
Prettier girls he had often seen. Her
features were irregular. mouth and
nose too large, face a little thin. Her
contour lacked the sOftness. the allure
that In some women was IN uncon-
scious Invitation to cuddle. ugh an
whipcOrd she might be. bu, in her
there flowed 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 from living
30 far from feminine influences. But
he had q feeling that If 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 Q filmy blue
cloud which hung above him. He
looked the persOnification 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 suavlty and an
ever-ready smile that displayed a dou.
BILE row Of shining white teeth. That
smile did not for an instant deceive
Luck. He knew that Jose had no
grudge against him. that he was a very
respectable citizen, and that he would
regretfully shoot him full Of holes II
occasion called for 20 drastic q ter.
mination to their acquaintance. For
Dominguez had a third interest In the
G. F. ranch and he was the last man 10
the world to sacrifice his business for
sentiment. Having put the savings Of
a lifetime into the sheep business. he
did not propose to let anybody deprive
him OF his profits. either legally or
illegally.
The tinkle Of hoofs from the river
bed In the gulch below rose through
the clear air. The Mexican moved
swiftly to the door ind presently
waved handkerchief.
"What gent are you wig wagging to
now" Luck asked from the bed.
Thought I knew all you bold bad ban.
dts by this time. Or Is II Cass back
again"
Eyes. It's Cass. There's some one
with him. too. II Ii . woman" the
Mexican discovered In apparent sur.
prise.
"a woman!" Luck took the cigar
from bis mouth In vague unease.
"what ID he doing here with . won.
AMI"
The Mexican smiled behind his open
hand. "Your question anticipates mine.
senior. too ask the same."
The sight Of his daughter In the
doorway went through the cattleman
with h chilling shock. She ran for.
ward and with u pathetic cry Of Joy
threw herself upon him where he
stood. His hands were tied behind
him. Only BY the turn Of his head
could he answer her caresses. There
was q look Of inefable tenderness on
bis face. for be loved her more than
anything else on earth.
MIR. Fendrick brought me-" she ex.
planned when srticulate expression
was possible.
"He brought you. did hef" Luck
looked across her shoulder at his en-.
envy. and his eyes grew hard ~ jade.
"Of my own free WILL" she added.
II promised you . better argument
than those I'd given you. Miss Cullisou
70 that argument" Fendrick said.
The cattieman's yet face had . iook
more deadly than words. Il told Fen
drick be would gladly have killed him
where he stood. For Luck knew he
was cornered and must yield. Neither
Domingues nor Blackwell would COO.
sent to let her leave otherwise.
you've played . rotten trick on me,
reudrick. I wouldn't have thought II