The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-07-29

They were nearing small bridge
over Bear creek, the sounds of Has
kell's revelers growing nearer and
'"nder. Suddenly they heard an oath
and shot, and the next moment
wild rider, lashing a foamlng horse
with 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 II, too, she had known
him months, aye years, instead Of a
scant hour. And in this strange coun-
try she needed friend.
snow 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, II forgot !
hadn't mentioned 1t. I'm assigned by
Scribbler's Magazine to do an article
on The Old West, Is 1t Really Goner
and, Mr.. Westcott, tbink / have a
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 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 IL he does
tnke his leisure at the College club"
Miss Donovan's spine tingled at the
mention Of the name. "Pep," she mur-
INJURED, trying to be calm. "What was
his other name?"
"Cavendish." Westcott replied.
"Frederick Cavendlsh.'
A gasp almost escaped the girls
lips. Here, within an hour, she had
linked the many eastern clues of the
Cavendish affair with enc In the West.
Was ever girl so lucky? And imme-
dlately her brain began to work furl-
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 a few more pretentious
buildings were scattered here and
there, while an occasional tent tapped
Its dlscolored canvas in the night wind
They went forward, Westcott watch.
full and silent. the valise 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 n saloon, and the
two held to the middle of the road
which was lined with horses tied tC
long poles. Men reeled out into the
ciack of some frolicsome revolver
| punctuated the hoarse shouts and
bursts of drunken laughter. No Other
woman was visible, yet, apparently, nc
particular attention was paid to theiI
| progress. But the stream Of mer
thickened perceptlbly. until Westcoti
was obliged to shoulder them aside
| good-humoredly In order to open O
passage. He released her arm and
suddenly gripped the shoulder of O
man passing. He was the town mar
shall.
"Say. Dan. reckon this Is your busy
night. but I wish you'd help me rur
| this lady through as far as Timmons
this bunch Of longhorns appear to bS
milling, and we're plum stalled"
The man turned and stared at them
Short, stockily built. appearing at frs
view almost grotescue under the broad
brim of his hat, Stella, recognizing th'
marshal, was conscious only of n clean
shaven face, square jaw and a pail
of stern blue eyes.
\
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 busl
ness, and II was also evident that tE'
crowd knew the little marshal Drum
and quarrelsome as many Of then
we're, they made way-the more OBJ
streperous sullenly. but the majorit!
in a spirit Of rough good humor. Th'
three passed straight through thu
surging mass In the man-crowded lob
by of the dlsrepu,able hotel.
At the desk. wide-eyed with excite
ment, Miss Donovan took a service
worn pen proffered by landlord Pet'
TImmons, whose gray whiskers wer'
as unkempt as his hotel. and regis
tered her name.
"a telegram came today for you