The spectator., 1920-05-21

keep her prisoner he would have to compromise. He dared not leave her in the hands of Lute Blackwell. Fen drick decided to take a chance. At the worst he could turn them both free aId leave for Sonora.
 All right, I'll take you to him But you'll have to do as l say"
 Yes" she agreed
 'N ou've got to persuade Luck to come through with an agreement to let go of that Del Gro homestead and 10 promise not to prosecute us. He won't do it to save his own life. He's got 10 think you come there as my prisoner See? He's got to wrestle with the notion that you're in the power of the damnedest villain that ever went unhung. l mean Blackwell. Let him chew on that proposition i while and see what he makes of it She nodded, white to the lips. Let 1 us go at once. please" She called across to the corral: Manuel, saddle the pinto for me. Hurry
 They rode together through the wind-swept sunlit iand From time to time his lazy glance embraced her. i supple. graceful creature. at perfect ease in the saddle. What was 1t about her that drew the eye so irresistibly? Pretter girls he had often seen. Her features were irregular, mouth and nose too large, face a little thin. Her contour lacked the softness the allure that in some women was an uncon- 1 SciouS invitation to cuddle. Tough as whipcord she might be, but in her there flowed life vital and strong; dwelt ] spirit brave and unconquer- able. She seemed to him as little subtle as any woman he had ever met. This directness came no doubt from living so far from feminine influences. But he had q feeling that if q man once wakened her love- the instinct of sex would spring full-grown into being.
 
 Luck lay stretched full length on bunk his face to the roof, q wreath of smoke from his cigar travelling slow ly toward the ceiling into a filmy blue cloud which hung above him. He looked the perSonifcation of vigorous full-hlooded manhood Ut ease.
 By the table. facing him squarely, sat Jose Dominguez. q neatly built Mexican with snapping black eyes, a manner of pleasant suavity and an ever-ready smile that displayed a dou- be row of shining white teeth. That smile did. not for an instant deceive Luck. He knew that Jose had no grudge against him, that he was very | respectable citizen, and that he would regretfully shoot him full of holes if occasion called for so drastic a ter mination to their acquaintance. For Domnguez had a third interest in the c. F. ranch and he was the last man in the world to sacrifice his business for sentiment Having put the savings of lifetime into the sheep business. he did not propose to let anybody deprive him of his profits, either legally or | illegally.
 The tinkle of hoofs from the river bed in the gulch below rose through the clear air. The Mexican moved swiftly to the door and presently waved handkerchief.
 What gent are you wig-wagging to now?" Luck asked from the bed. "Thought knew all you bold bad ban dits by this time. Or is it CasS back again?"
 Yes. it's Cass. There's some one with him. too. It is q woman" the Mexican discovered in apparent sur prise.
 "A womanw Luck took the cigar from his mouth in vague unease. What is he doing here with wom- an?"
 The Mexican smiled behind his open hand. Your question anticipates mine. seuor. l too ask the same"
 The sight of his daughter in the doorway went through the cattleman with chilling shock. She ran for ward and with pathetic cry of joy threw herself upon him where he stood. His hands were tied behind him. Only by the turn of his head could he answer her car~sses. There was look of ineffable tenderness on his face, for he loved her more than anything else on earth.
 MT. Fendrck brought me-" she ex- plained when articulate expression was possible.
 He brought you, did he?" Luck looked across her shoulder at his en- emy, and his eyes grew hard as jade.
 "Of my own free will,' she added.
 Il promised you a better argument than those I'd given you. Miss Cullison Is that argument" Fendrick said.
 The cattleman's set face Lad look more deadly than words. |. told Fen- drick he would gladly have Silled him where he stood. For Luck knew he was cornered and must yield. Neither Domnguez nor Blackwell would con sent to let her leave otherwise.