Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1920-05-28

place.
"They are a swashbuckling, worth
less set" he told Evaline. Drink,
gambling, and working the old worn
out digglngs instead of settling down
to. respectable farming"
Land and its accumulation was the
hobby of Dalton and his great dreq@l
was to acquire the eight thous4hd
acres known as Grass Valley. 3
"Some day this stretch will be a
perfect paradise" he predicted. "Once
real workers get to coming, the man
who has the land will reap~a'~royal
|. fortune"
Evaline had been sent for a hay
rake and the discovery of the stran-
ger had startled and then interested
her. Her father appeared abruptly.
''yyhat's this, now?" he demanded.
Evaline flushed, for her glance at
the handsome intruder was intense.
She stepped aside with a certain de-
gree of fear, for she knew her father
to be naturally harsh tempered
"a tramp, eh?' he observed grating
ly. "Worse-a rustler, or looks it."
"Fathef," ventured, Evaline gently,
don't be so rough with him, please.
He is young and honest looking"
"He. is battered up from fight,
and probably sleeping off spree.
Here, wake up!"
The slumberer struggled to his feet,
Selling a heavy cudgel at his side.
you'll not get me again." he
shouted, you ruffian crew."
"Oh, excuse me-" he added instant
ly, observing Eyaline. 81 fancied"-
but he did not complete the sentence.
He moved unsteadily on one foot and
WINGED, and noticing that its shoe
was bedabbled with blood Dalton un-
bent trifle.
whats the matter with your foot?'
he questioned.
"Only a bullet" replied the in
truder.
HE looks half famished," whisper
ed Evaline. BE gentle with him."
"Since you're so taken with him.,
give him meal, if you like" grum-
bled> Dalton.
EvalineS piued the helpless condition
and apparent suffering of the refugee.
Lean on my shoulder" she said, "and
get as far as the house"
She got him to the shaded porch
where. there was a rocking chair then
going to the kitchen and returning
with warmed up, but appetizing
meal.
>She heard voices on the porch
after returning to the kitchen. Then
her father came to hea 'That stran-
ger has a bad foot" he observed. 81
want some bandages and the tallow.
You can fix up shake down in the
lumber room"
Evaline gladly set 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 was
pleasant, entertaining and helped
Evaline peel potatoes and shell peas,
set the table and altogether fell in
with domestic ways as if he had once
been a home body. .Evaline mentioned
this to her father. 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 q party of four men. Both
Evaline and her father recognized
them as members of the county con-
stabulary force. Looking for Arnold
Hudson" spoke up. the leader.
That's me-" promptly announced
Hudson, stepping forward. Bound to
guard me safe out of the district, eh?"
he laughed.
Got orders and pay to do just that"
replied the official, rendering a letter
"He is son of big land man at
Denver" observed the officer to Dali
ton. Worth million in his own right,
was looking around for investments,
got in the hands of gang bent on
holding him for ransom, got away, es-
capped and we are deputized to get
him back home"
A shade of disappointment and
loneliness was in Evalines eyes as
Hudson left them. She watched the
little cavalcade disappear down the
road like breath of romance out Of
her life. A week later, however, Hud-
son returned with his father and sew
eral others.
'.They have come to- talk business
with your father about great coloni-
zation scheme in the valley" Arnold
Hudson told Evaline. ave come to
talk what's been on my mind ever
since l first saw you" .s.
"What is that?" questioned Evaline
artlessly.
Love" was the prompt response.
"My heart is right here, where lost
1t to you, and l want you to say you'll
take care of it for the rest of our
lives"