Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-18
Sure said Tharon brienv

solemn and beautiful, Everything about
them was beautiful, the height, the
sheer, straight walls, the myriad little
blue shadows Of tiny projections on their
that long before they wished they we're
compelled to camp. In a blind pocket,
walled like room and round as ar
apple, they stopped, and Billy spread
down the blanket he had taken from
Drumfire's back. This was their only
preparation. They had nothing to do,
no fire TO build, no water to bring.
Tharon, scarcely conscious of the
many miles she had travelled since the
previous night, sat down upon the blan-
ket, gathered her knees in her arms and
stared at the vague blue phantorns OF
cliffs through the tall straight mouth
that led into this sheltered pocket.
outside the winds were drawing up
the canyons. All day they had walked
In this wind. II drew constantly up and
down tho cuts, this way and that, like
contrary currents that met and fought
each other, swung in together, went a
little way In peace, to again split and
surge away through other channels.
The echoes were alive with oevery
sound, both of their own making and
that Of the winds. A constant signing
d.oned through the depths. a mournfui,
down Thsron's spine, made her think
sadly CT all the tragedies she had ever
krown.
Billy. lying full icrgth beside her. his
hands beneath his head, looked up TO
the narrow blue spot of sky 80 far away,
aud thought h,s owl thoughts, and they
wetc not wholly sad
They fell 20 taking. softly, In low
tones, as II In all the mysterious solitude
there might be one to hear, and 1t was
mostly speech Of iong ago--when Billy
had first come into Lost Valley
After lcng and quiet hour tho man
insisted that she should sleep--that
after the hard day and In view OF the
coming hard morrow. she needed rest
but I'm net tired. Billy" Tharon
protested, mo more'n as II I'd been ridin'
all day after tn cattle"
But Billy shook his head and followed
a little place in the soft slide stun at
the Was fOs In bas tfs ssSs s spread the
lie down." he commanded, AN
you'll be asleep 10 quick you won't
Know when 1t happens"
ana sippsd OH @ her pen IN
the hollow. which fitted It like cradle.
Not for nothing had Billy slept out
mary night with nothing save the
1r ba soo nna Sass erSS fT1 Sed aa at @
AS she settled herself therein he Tapped
the loose half Of the blanket over her
folded It sharply and placed st under
tho tawny head:
In it's place he would fain have laid
his heart.
pi' low, tangled themselves wistfully in
the sun.bright hair, and the boy groaned
aloud
laughed lightly, thin sound In the
Nothing in Gods world, Tharon,"
he lied. Now go to sleep" u
against one of the walls. From his
pocket he took papers and tobacco ana
proceeded to roll himself cigarette
way strewn with their butts, as leaves
strew mountain trails in autumn.
Things were ready to happen In Lost
Valley-several things:
across the level stretches toward the
Stronghold with tragic dark eyes, and
smiled at a dozen men whom she scarce
ly saw. Settlers from all up and down
the Wall drifted into Corvan and out
again, intent, silent, watchful. va,
also came and went, as intent, as silent.
They passed each other with hostile eyes
and trigger fingers were unusually linz
ber The air was pregnant with change.
Buck Courtrey was conspicuous by his
absence.
was he at the Stronghold.
There were soft whispers afioat that
he was with the Pomos up under the
Rockface at the north.
And at the Stronghold. poor Ellen,
whittier than ever, more like broken
lily dropping on its stem, trembled and
waited for a day that was set soon-too
terribly soon the day, farcically ap-
pointed, for the suit for, divorce against
her. :,
Word of this was abroad through all
the valley. Underground speculation
was rife as to which Of the two women
whom Courtrey favored, Lola or Tharon.
was responsible. Some said one. some
the other. But Lola knew.
Then came thccry itself-a golden
summer day as sweet and bright as tnat
one years ago when Courtrey had mar
ried Ellen-at this same pine building
where the laughable farces were enacted
now.
across the rolling stretches on one OF
the Ironwoods, with Cleve pes,de her.
She was spiritless, silent. Cleye was
silent, too, though for far different
reason. There was frown between his
brows a glitter In his narrowed eyes
He was thinking of the only man IN
Corvan whom he had been able to per
suade to present Ellen's protest-Dick
Burtree, one-tine lawyer and man OF
parts in the outside. now a puned and
threadbare vagabond, whose paramount
idea was whisky and more whisky. But
Burtree could talk. over his mottled
and shapeless lips could, on occasion
pour a stream of pure oratory silver as
the Vestal's Veil.
When he was drunk he feared neither
man nor devil, and he could speak pest
40. Wherefore Cleve had gwen MIN
enough money In advance to put him
" what you think Buekll say about
ma CLEVER Ellen asked anixousiy |
whats he mean to accuse me orr
ANY dirty thing he can trump up
Sis" said Cleve sraNeiy' me- ,sisS So'h n
COD vou'd lest ride on down tn, Wall
With me an never even look back Il
Js jeaned from his saddle and took
tha b,,,e.yeined hand in his. There was
an unspeakable tenderness II uss hts eyes
as he regarded his sister; Wnat you
say Ellen? There's lifs peloW, Wa an WORK
an other men. fou u ""''' "e"'"
soT,s mt 'Il Ellen shook her head with its
"Nary other man, Cleve," she said
gently, "I'm all Bucks woman
60 they rode on toward the town, ana
CIeve knew that his last rant nope was
In the town itself there was a stir.
co,,rtrey was there and Wylackie Bob.
and BLACK Bart and Arizona, a punch or
dark, evil rlen in all surety:
The Ironwoods were In evidence every
where, but strange to say, there were
no Fineer Marks. Not man from the
Holding was In town.
When Cleye and Ellen, alone together,
rode in, II lacked yet a half hour or the
time aet for trial There was no place
to 70 but Baston's, so they dismounted