The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1920-07-24

man SJEdlSelN near TO MISS Donovan,
and as they hurried along in the silent
night she felt that above all he was
dependable, as If. too. she had known
him months, aye years, instead of a
Scant hour. And in this strange cuun-
try she needed a friend.
Now that I've laid bare my past"
he was saying, don't you think you
might tell me why you are here?"
The girl stiffened. To say that she
was from the New York Star would
close many avenues of information to
her No, the thing to do was 10 adopt
some "stall' that would enable her to
idle about as much as she chose. Then
the mad hOrSeman gave her the idea.
oh! she exclaimed. 81 forgot |
hadn't mentioned it. I'm assigned by
Scribbler'S Magazine to do an article
on The Old West, Is 1t Really Gomez
and, Mr.. Westcott, l think l have a
lovely start"
\ few moments later she thanked
Providence for her precaution. for her
| companion resumed the story of his
mining claim.
It's might funny l haven't heard
from that partner. II isn't like HIN
not to answer my wire. That's why
| I've waited every night at the depot
No, it's not like Pep even If he does
take his leisure at the College club"
Mss DOnOvan's spine tingled at the
mention Of the name. Pep" she muir.
INJURED, trying to be calm. "What was
his other name?"
"Cavendish," WeStcOtt replied
| Frederick Cavendish.
4 gasp almost escaped the girls
! lips. Here, within an hour, she had
| linked the many eastern clues of the
| Cavendish affair with one in the West
Was ever a girl so lucky? And imme
diately her brain began to work furi
Ously as she walked along.
A sudden turn about the base of 9
large cliff brought them TO Haskell. &
single street running up the broaden
ing valley, lined mostly with shacks
| although few more pretentiou:
buildings were scattered here anC
there, while an occasional tent tapped
it's discOlored canvas in the night wind
They went forward. WestcOtt watch
full and silent, the valise in one hand
the other grasping her arm. The mar
row stretch of sidewalk was damned
with men, surging in and out through
the open door of a saloon, and th'
two held to the middle of the road
which was lined with horses tied t.
long poles. Men reeled out into TIT
street, and occasionally the sharl
crack of some frolicsome revolve
punctuated the hoarse shouts ant
bursts of drunken laughter. No Othe
woman was visible, yet, apparently, N
particular attention was paid to thei
progress. But the stream of mel
thickened perceptibly. until WestcOt
was obliged to shoulder them aSid
good-humoredly in order to open
passage. He released her arm an
, suddenly gripped the shoulder of
, man passing. He was the town maj
shall.
Say, Dan. l reckon this is your bus
night. but | wish you'd help me ru
this lady through as far as TimmOns
this bunch of longhorns appear to b
milling. and we're plum stalled"
The man turned and stared at then
Short. stOckily built, appearing at frs
view almost grOtesque under the brOa
brim of his hat, Stella, recognizing tn
marshal. was conscious only of cleaI
shaver face, square jaw and pal
of stern blue eyes.
"Oh. is that you. Jim?" he asked
briefly. Lord, / don't see why hi
boob like you should need a guardian
The lady? Pardon me, madam" ar
he touched his hat. "Stand back ther'
you fellows. Come on. fOlks!"
The little marshal knew his bus
ness, and ii was also evident that tn
crowd knew the little marshal. Drum
and quarrelsOme as many of thel
were. they made way-the more oil
strenerous sullenIy. but the majorit
in a spirit of rough good humor. TIL
three passed straight through tn
SURFING mass In the man-crOwded lOl
by of the diSreputable hotel.
At the desk. wide-eyed with excite
ment. Miss Donovan took a service
worn pen proffered by landlord Pet
Timmons. whose gray whiskers wer
as unkempt as his hotel, and regi'
tered her name.
"a telegram came today for yoI
1 m2'am." Peter said IN a cracked voic'
and tossed it over.
Miss Donovan tore it open. II wa
: from Farriss. II read:
"If any clues. advise immediatel.
: willis digging hard. Letter of inStru'
: ton follows. FARRlS.
The girl folded the message. thru;
it in her jacket pocket. then turning
' the marshal and WestcOtt. gave eac
:. a firm hand.
you've both been more than kind
d she said gratefully.
e H. ma'am," Dan deprecate'
n that warn't nothin'l ~ And he hurrie
5 into the street as loud cries sounde
:. outside.
e Goodnight. Miss Donovan" Yves
q colt said simply. IF you are eve
y frightened or in need of friend. ca
e on me. I'll be in town two days. We
L and after that Pete here can get wor
o to me-" Then. with an admiring. hOl
est gaze he searched her eyes a M