The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1920-06-19
A MILLIONAIRE
PAUPER
By GEORGE ELMER COBB

shed and fell upon sleeping figure
lying prone upon the straw, that OF
a young man. His face was clear ana
open, though marked with bruises ana
scratches, and his clothing torn In
places suggested recent scrimmeEe
common to the lawless district lying
beyond Joel DaltOn's ranch.
The Daltons. father and daughter,
had little to do with the rough and
ready groups. The Dalton ranch had
become a spot to avoid for the roy.
sterers and miners when on a ram.
page. A wayfarer might be given
free meal, but old Joel watched him
suspIciously until he was clear Of the
place.
"They are swnshbuckling, worth.
less Set" lie told Evnllne. aDrink;
gambling and working the old worn
out lIggIngs instead of settling down
to respectable farming"
Land and Its accumulation was the
hobby Of Dalton and his great dream
was to acquire the eight thousand
acres known as Grass Valley.
"Some day this stretch will be
perfect paradise" he predicted. "ohce
real workers get TO coming. the man
who has the land will reap royal
fortune"
EvalIns Ind been sent for hay
rnke and the discovery Of the strnn'
ger had startled and then interested
her. Her father appeared abruptly.
"Whats this. now7" he demanded
Evaline flushed, for her glance ut
the handsome intruder was intense.
She stepped aside with u certain de-
gree Of fear, for she knew her father
to lie naturally harsh tempered.
"a tramp, chr" he observed grating
ly. "Worss-a rustler. or looks IT,"
Father" venturet Evallne gently,
don't be 10 rough with him. please.
He 10 young and honest looking"
HE Ia battered up from fight,
and probably sleeping OF spree.
Here. wake up!"
The slumberer struggled to his feet,
seizing heavy cudgel at his side.
you'll not get me ngnin!" he
shouted. "you ruffinn crew."
'Oh. excuse me-" he added Instant
ly, observing Evaline. II fancIed"-
but he did not complete the sentence.
He moved unstendily on one foot and
WINGED, and noticing that Its shoe
was betlabbled with blood Dalton UNI
bent trife.
whats the matter with YOUR foot?'
lie questioned.
"Only bullet" replied the in
trnder.
"He looks half famishcd." whisper
ed EvaIIne. BE gentle with him."
'Since you're SO taken with him,
give him meal. II you like" grun-
bIed Dalton.
Evaiine pitIcd tile helpless condition
and apparent suffering Of the refugee.
Lean on my shoulder" she said. "and
get MS far a. the house"
She got him to the shaded porch
where there was n rocking chair. then
going to the Kitchen and returning
with 4 warmed up, but nppetizing
meal.
She heard voices on the porch
after returning to the kitchen. Then
her father came to her. THAT stran-
ger has q bad foot" he observed. u
want some bandages and the tailow.
You can fix up shake down In the
lumber ROOM"
Evallne gludly yet about providing
for the comfort Of their guest. He had
evidently told Dalton his name. for
the latter called him Hudson. At the
end Of five days the stranger was able
to hobble about with cane. He WIS
pleasant, entertaining and helped
Evuline peel potatoes and shell peas.
set the table and altogether fell In
with domestic ways as II he had once
been q home body. Evallne mentioned
this to her fnther Somehow he takes
great interest In my land IDEAS" OBJ
served Dalton, He'd ought to be on
his way"
One morning there drove up TO the
house party Of four men. Both
Evaline md her father recognized
them as members Of the county con-
stabulary force. Looking for Arnold
Hudson" spoke up the leader.
"rhats me-" promptly announced
Hudson. stepping forward. "Bound to
guard me safe out OF the district, eh?"
he laughed.
SCOT orders and pay to do just TINT"
replied the official, rendering n letter.
"Hc is n son Of big land man nj
Denver" observed the officer to Dial.
ton. Worth million In his own right.
was looking around for Investments.
got In the hands of gang bent on
holding him for rnnsom. got away, es-
capped and we are deputized to get
him back home"
A shade Of disappointment and
loneliness was In EvaIine's eyes as
Hudson left them. She watched the
little cavalcade disappear down the
road like q breath of romance out Of
her life. A week later, however. Hud-
son returned with his father and sew
| eral others.