The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-12-24


logs OF the wall; endeavoring to gain
some leverage upon the hinges of the
door, and tugging once again furious.
ly at those wooden stakes protecting
the narrow window. His fingers bled
from the frantic effort to thus loosen
something, to yield him an opportuni-
ty to really exert hS strength. These
efforts were utterly useless; there was
not spot of weakness to be discov-
cred. If the place had been originally
constructed as a prison 1t could not
have been more securely built. Men
tally and physically exhausted, he
flung himself upon the floor. and lay
there, quivering from head to foot,
with nerves completely shattered.
The silence became CHASTITY: any
sound would have been relief. There
was no one moving about even lin that
other room, and the door between fitted
too closely for him to perceive any
CLEAN of light He listened intently,
holding his breath, but his head sank
back once more in detection. Why in
IL
like a man? Why had he ever permit
ted himself to be thus caught like q
trapped rat? The frenzy of disgust he
felt caused him to sit up and stare
once more at the single star shining
through the window. What was that ?
A shadow? Surely something out yon-
der movedi
Silently, cautiously, he stepped on
the stool, and looked out between the
bars, his heart beating like drum. At
first he saw nothing, the blood seem
ing to stand still as he gazed then
the fingers of hand grasped one of
the wooden bars, and face rose
slowly just in front of his own. A
whisper revealed the identity of his
visitor.
"Senor, come quietly TO window; do
not speak loud"
"Pancha, you! You would talk with
me, then?r
Il must know some things, senior;
must be sure" she said fiercely. you
tell me tonight the truth, senior; you
not lie to me-"
"Not single word" he assured her
eagerly, his heart beginning to beat
with new hope, his face advanced I'M
til only the bars divided them. II
trusted you"
"You are Senior Shelbyf
YES"
AND she, this woman, is your
wifeT'
"Yes."
"She is pretty woman, vera pretty ;
you not married long2"
mo, only a few days; we had just
come to the ranch when she was TAX
en- away"
But, senior, why she go away if she
be just married like you say? Why
she leave you, an run off with Senior
Macklin? She love heem better than
you"
Love him! She did not run off. He
stole her, he and four Indians, after
leaving me for dead"
HE not tell eet to me like that; he
say she want to marry heem. an not
you. That he took her TO save her from
you; that she would not let heem
leave her. Then you fight, an so get
keeled."
Shelby laughed softly.
$50 that was Macklin's story, was
it? Well. it is not exactly true. l
amt saying she's in love with me, or
nothin' like that, but she sure don't
banker none after that chap. I'll tell
yer why he took her-cause she's got
bunch O. money comm her way down
east that Macklin would like to get
his hands on"
He marry herr"
That's his game. no doubt, If il
works. If not, he'll evolve some other.
| don't think he gives cuss how it's
done. so he gets 1.-THE and his pre-
cious father"
She stared at him with lips
parted
Maybe see 1t more clear now"
she exclaimed. "He not love her,
then; he just want her money. bah |,
care not how he get that, If he not
get her. You take her away. Senior
shelby, where he never see her
againT
"Of course"
An you keep her married to your,
I'll do the best can. What do
you mean, Pancha? Can you get us
out of hereg"