The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1920-12-30

Shelby put his bundles down with
out word. his eyes quick to perceive
the chairs cleared OF their debris, the
floor swept, the ashes back In the
stove. He could hardly comprehend
the miracle.
She led the way gayiy, leaving her
broom In corner. and carrying the
lamp. The lean-to kitchen had been
transfgured, and actually presented a
homelIke appearance. The dirty dishes
were showed out OF sight, the floor
swept, the fire In the stove blazed
cheerfully, and the table was covered
with the essentials OF a truly appetiz-
Ing meal. She set the lamp down In
the center, fully rewarded by the ex-
preston on the faces OF the two.
you boys wash up there In the
SINK" she commanded; fuse that piece
OF sncking for towel; II was all
could find. Then wen get busy"
IL Shelby was to live q thousand
years he would never lose memory of
that meal. The grateful warmth OF
the stove the neatness Of the table.
the good fellowship with which she
served. all coupled with the wonder.
full surprise. left upon him an I'm
preston never afterward to be blOtted
out. She talked about what she was
going TO do; about what he had pur-
chased In town; about anything which
came Into her mind that she could
manufacture conversation from. He
told Of their adventures outside, and
made her laugh henrtily over the
struggle Of getting the Kids pony
safely into the corral. The Kid him
self said little. eating heartily but In
silence, only occasionally lifting his
eyes from the plate. This pretense at
mOdesty did not seem like the Kid,
ana Shelby found himself observing
the fellow with some wonderment. His
looks were not at all prepOssesslng.
now that he saw him more plainly re-
vealed In the lampllght. and he was
some years older than he Ind sup
posed. The fellow had a hard. dlssi.
pated face. and his lips were thin.
with distinctly cruel twist to them.
Shelby had intended putting the man
In that bunk In the front room. but
now decided the stable was good
enough for his use.
As soon as they were through he
hunted up n second lantern.
Take the rest Of that stun of the
blackboard, Mncklin." he said shortly
"nnd stow It away IL the cellar.cave
Just to the right Of the house. I'll be
out presently. an well tx things up
for the night"
As the fellow disappeared Shelby's
eyes encountered those of his wife
across the table.
"And what are you going to do?"
she asked directly.
"Why. help you with these things,
and then clean the shack up bit; II
Is in worse shape than realized"
She shook her head positively.
"Oh, no, mister man. This Is my
house, and I am going to take care Of
it-nll alone. have seen your style
Of housekeeping. and prefer my own.
You so on. and finish the work out
side; when you come back It will look
better I'm here"
Shelby went out. Macklin was SEEM
ingly busy mt the task assigned him.
the lantern hung TO the broken branch
Of n convenient tree, lighting his path.
Without even speaking, the rnnchman
passed by down the steep path leading
toward the stream below. He was
some time In completing his task. and,
when he finally emerged once more
from the stable. the only CLEAN of
light he could perceive above came
through the log chinks Of the cabin.
He wondered what had become of
Macklln. yet gave the matter no spe-
cial thought as he tolled slowly up the
path. his mind more deeply interested
In the reception awaiting him within.
Tie passed close enough to the buck
board to assure himself that his Or
ders had been executed. and. believ-
ing the fellow had probably re-entered
the house for some purpose passed on
directly to the front door. No one
was In the main room. nor In the
chamber behind. They remained ex-
actiy rs he had left them. The silence
h''h' swiftly
toward the kitchen, where the light
still burned. visible through the open
door. II also was deserted the dirty
dishes yet setting on the table un.
touched. Good God! what was the
meaning OF this1 What had occurred?
The outer door stood ajar. and he
sprang anyiously forward. peerIng In
to the blackness. There was no sound.
no movement; the blaze Of light had
blinded him. and he stepped outside
so as TO see better. He had taken hut
one step beyond the protection OF the
partially open door. when something
struck him. and he went staggering
down. as though his skull was crushed
by tEs saysge blow.
" was gray dawn when Shelby
stirred once more, and, with eyes only
partially open, stared In hewlderment
at the pale arch Of sky. Slowly mem
DRY came back. and he managed to lift
one hand to his head. his numb I'm