The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1920-09-30
In Peril
By VICTOR REDcLlFFE

is. 1920, western Newspaper u


| 1t was novel yet perilous position,
that In which Merrill Page found him
self at Lone Prairie. The leading
lawyers Of New Mexico border city
had sent him to the settlement desig-
mated secretly, to visit certain Lem
uel Ward whom he would find slowly
dying, take his statement under oath
and, quietly return with the sevidence
that would adjust disputed title to
ranch. ,~
Jem Dymond was the acknowledged
leader OF an unruly, desperate group
at Lone, Prairie, and Page was eyed
with suspicion when he registered at,
the one rough-and-ready tavern Of the
place. He located little hut where
Lemuel Ward was lying in bed from
which he was destined never to arise.
Page made sure that he was not OBJ
served as he lodged in through the
open doorway.
81 am, glad you have come" said
Ward as soon as Page revealed his
identity. "At times the house has
been under the surveillance of Jem
Dymond, and have been practically
a prisoner since I threatened to get
to the city and see the lawyers"
81 am to take your deposition, as I
understand It," said Page. =! = 80
Eyes, and a deed I've made out, and
all there is to do is to sign and have
you attach your notarial SEAL" and
the invalid drew some papers from
under. his pillow "You risk a good
deal coming here, and If Dymond sus-
pected it, you'd never get back to civil
lization. Should die without send
ing the lawyers those documents, the
land would 60 to him." s, ',;.r,s -, e,
The papers were signed and Page
was ready to depart, when his host,
CHANGING to glance through the open
window, half rose up. go the rear
way, and quickly" he uttered in con,
Germ. "Three men mounted see
them? Dymond and two others. They
have followed, you here. Don't go
back to the hotel L. Get out of the dis
trict with those precious papers at
once" - -,
Page recognized his peril. He sped
through rear doorway. There was
creek lined with willows short dis
lance away near railroad spur. The
line ran twenty miles to a point to
the north, used only to ship horses to
waterway by which they were trans
ported to sales markets. 80
Page made dash for the light
timber as a shout told him that the
three men had espied him. There was
a call to halt followed by shot as
he reached some cars on a siding. He
planned to conceal himself among the
willows, but stumbled, his ankle turn.
ed, he limped a few steps and then,
unable to proceed further, pulled him.
self up through the half-open door.
way Of the nearest car and lay inert
and helpless. : 2 81
He saw the three men rushing along,
scanning the willow space. Then there
was a jar, locomotive had backed
and coupled on the cars. A woman's
form showed moving about within the
car. She was attired in frontier rid
ing habit, was exquisitely nodded as to
form, with a face fresh and beautiful
as beftted a girl Of the prairie and
forest.
'Who are you?' she Intercepted.
curiosity rather than fear in tone and
manner and by her confidence inspir-
ing glance Influenced Page to reveal
his entire story.
"You did we'll to seek this refuge
from Jem Dymond,'' said Bertha Will
ton. 1T is on his account that we
are leaving Lone Prairie. He robbed
my father, who is moving by wagon
to Wolverton. I am going ahead in
the box car to deliver Wildfre to
circus buyer who is to pay us large
price" and the speaker indicated
superb black steed at the other end
Of the car. 1--WE make only one stop
between here and Wolverton. That is
at Elkton. Keep out of sight to the
terminus and you will get clear Of
-Dymond's territory
Page appreciated his environment
as the train proceeded slowly. There
was a long stop, DIT Elkton. Two rough.
looking, sinister men came along the
raised freight platform. Miss Wilton
caught an echo of what they were talk
ing about.
"The Dymond crew are on your
trail" she announced to Page. "Dy.
mond has telephoned ahead to search
the car, suspecting that; you are
aboard Two of. his men are on the
way ito; the local justice to have you
sent back on trumpedup charge"
"You must not get into trouble Oh
my behalf" began Page.
q "You must do as Ifdirect YOU" spoke
Bertha definitely. "Wildfre /.
She had the. horse freed from hal
ter in a trice, got him to the platform
and helped Page from the car "Those
men are returning she said with a
glance back Of them. ut will be
swift ride, but Wildfire will not fail
US. Take my rifle and shoot to hit If
x.,o oro p1rcuod ~ n, ...f -.