New Britain herald., 1921-09-09

my mother the Dark Rose"
 Not a sign of surprise did he show. Evidently made more comfortable by the Reflection of the topic from him. self. he wagged his head.
 Bad lie-very bad lie," he said.
 When he remained undisturbed in his refuge of silence, she strengthened and considered rapidly.
 Up with them-and be busy" She broke her decision crisply.
 When the Indian, with raised hands, had achieved his feet, she relieved his belt of the antiquated, rusty weapon for which he had at no recent mo- ment felt safe to reach and, after search his pocket of a business-like clasp knife.
 Now. bout face and see that you get the best out of that cayuse! Re- member there's an averaging she devil just behind!"
 She -devil-Red Glory" he agreed, with a slow grin.
 The procession thus formed set out at a pace unhampered by con- versation to cover the remaining arid miles. That the thoughts of the cap tive riding in the lead were of an active sort was improbable. Those of his captor matched the speed of fly Ing hoofs, but not to any definite con- clusions.
 Suppose her hope were true, why lad the Indian held their littlest pard their fragile, fragrant Rose-to the wither of the intervening months and years?
 Could the sardonically named Al ways Busy, whose choice of activi- IA. l.. be demented, as many believed? Or was he more shrewd than ever had been suspected, shrewd enough to attempt the long-laid scheme of ex- tortion which had taken her father to Mexico?
 The remembrance that Always Busy could neither read nor write suggest ed a more likely solution. The an- swer to the riddle might be that Tim othy Rudd. not long since from Missouri. had met up with the Apache trying to find some way to profit by his charge. and "staked" him to the ransom idea.
 CHAPTER VII.
 Emerald Ranch.
 For the first time, the daughter of "old Blaze" Frazer rode through the open gates and along the front walk of that envied stucco mansion, Elm erald ranch-house. With no pause to admire it on close view, she drop ped rein and hurried up the steps.
 When no one answered her ring, her impatience increased. As the door was wide thrown. she stepped into the hall Other open doors showed lux uriously furnished rooms on either side but no sign of life.
 Along the hall, carpeted with the thickest rugs upon which her feet ever had trod. she hurried. Without encountering any one. she continued until she brought out on a gallery which surrounded a tiled patio. where a fountain playing and cool ing palms, were grouped.
 With relief she caught the sound of voices above the waters plash. She stepped toward the side room from which they seemed to emanate.
 I've done my best!''
 Phil it was who had spoken, and she hurried her steps.
 This door also was open, doubt jess to increase the circulation of air. since a screen of reeds stood just inside, shutting off clear view of the interior.
 Done your worst, you mean, and fine mess you've made of things," The voice was that of the Silver Fox Strong. ST. raised in anger. Through :he reed weave of the screen she vaguely saw him seated behind a desk-a large man, inclined to stoutness and, as she knew by re- port. to apopleCtic rages. Phil stood at the side of the desk. his face flushed and angry. "I suppose you are proud of your self to have made a prisoner of a government employe! Where have you hidden away his white elephant | truck? And, in heavens name, where is he?''
 He came here looking for trouble. but I saw him first He never knew what struck him-never will know You will give the government em- ploye over to me-at once" said Glory.
 Her gun covered them. Philip. Jr., recovered first. but only sufficiently to murmur: "Clory!" Up" she said. | Both the Strongs obeyed.