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

Shelby rode away silently between
the two, conscious that this brief con.
versation had In no way improved his
position. To be sure he had escaped
an immediate meeting with Hanley,
Out the fact that the latter had entire.
" failed to mention his probable ar.
rival must have left an unpleasant
suspicion in Laud's mind. The felloy.
said nothing, however, and apparent
" took no Precautions. but Shelby
was nevertheless fully aware that the
other watched him cautiously. and
would be quick to detect lie slightest
movement, They rode at a walk
through darkness so profound that
he could not be sure they were even
following trail. The sound of
boisterous voices rang out occasion
ally, but they bore off steadily toward
the left away from the noise, and he
noticed the Mexican had grasped the
bride Of the buckskin. and was firm
iy guiding the animal
"H-l" said Eaud suddenly. II
forgot all about the Kid. Wanter see
him. Churchill?"
Not specially ternight," Shelby ad.
mitted hastily, ''mornin' will he soon
enough"
"All right, then; faint much far.
tier. enyhow. There's the high rock.
Juan; the llghtll show round the
next turn"
IL did, shining out like a star, and
they drove up In front of a log shack,
an odd-shaped, rambling affair, built
close In against a wall of rock. The
door opened In response to the sound
of the horses hoofs. and young
woman appeared In the entrance, peer
ing forth
THAT you, Juan?" she asked in
Spanish.
81 there are three OF. us, Paneha,"
replied the Mexican, "and we would
eat quickly. Is the senior hereP
mot since noon, Juan. He said
little when he rode away, yet there
has that occurred would talk with
you about"
"Ffis wen. little one after we eat
there will be time"
Land swung heavily down from his
horse, holding up his rein to Juan.
who remained In the saddle. He
moved like one whose limbs were stiff.
Tened by being long in one position.
Holy Smokel | can hardly walk
he muttered II viii go along with
you 10 the corral to teach my legs how
70 behave. And as for you. Church
Ill.," his voice deepening on the word
20 on into the cabin. and wait there
til we come"
There was nothing for Shelby TO do
hut obey Suspicion caused him to
feet thrill Of apprehension from In
dian Joe's cnrt manner, yet there was
nothing in the words to resent, and
his only chance of safety lay In an
outward appearance of satisfaction
The girl drew aside, and he stepped
forward Into the room. An Instant
she fingered. as he glanced hastily
about at the plainly furnished inter-
Tor, then closed the door. and began
bnsying herself In arranging the ta-
BILE. She WAS young. not over six
teen. he judged, with dark hair and
eyes, decidedly pretty and with a
quick movement. like the flight OF a
bird. Twice she passed him on her
Journeys 10 the fire place, without even
CHANGING In his direction then sudden
~ their eyes met, and she laughed out
right.
You vera duh, Americana not
see a man like you BEFORE" she de-
clared positively. "You not care talk
with me?''
aSure ] do" and he Strengthened up.
~ thought maybe you couldn't talk my
language"
-oh. that eet; you not speak Span
ish, senor?"
swell, hardly. kin make out in a
way what anybody says, but when Il
comes TO taking the lingo I'm Bit
rusty.
.where you learn