The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-01-01
CHAPTER VIII-continued.


3
Shelby rode away silently between
the two, conscious that this brief con-
versatiOn had in no way improved his
position. To he sure ne had escaped
an immediate meeting with Hanley,
but the fact that the latter had entire
ly failed to mention his probable ar
rival must have left an unpleasant
suspicion in Laud's mind. The fellow
said nothing, however, and apparent
ly took no precautions, but Shelby
was nevertheless fully aware that the
other watched him cautiously. and
would be quick TO detect the slightest
movement. They rode at a walk
through a darkness so profound that
he could not be sure they were even
following a trail. The sound Of
boisterous voices rang out occasion
ally, but they bore off steadily toward
the left away from the noise, and he
noticed the Mexican had grasped the
bride of the buckskin. and was firm
ly guiding the animal.
Hi" said Laud suddenly, II
forgot all about the Kid. Wanter see
him. ChurciIill?"
"Not specially ternight," Shelby adj
mItted hastily. "mOrnin' will be soon
enough"
"All right, then; faint much far
Their, enyhow. There's the high rock.
Juan; the light'll show round the
next turn
1t did. shining out like a star. and
they drove up I'm front of a log shack,
an odd-shaped, rambling affair. built
close in against a wall of rock. The
door opened in response to the sound
| of the horses hoofs. and young
woman appeared in the entrance. peer
| ing forth.
THAT you. Juan?" she asked in
Spanish.
"Si; there are three of us, Pancha."
replied the Mexican. "and we would
eat quickly. Is the senior here?"
"Not since noon. Juan. He said
little WHEEL he rode away. yet there
has that occurred would talk with
you about"
"'Tis well, little one-after we eat
there will be time"
Laud swung heavily down from his
horse, holding up his rein to Juan,
who remained in the saddle. He
moved like one whose limbs were stiff
fened by being long in one position.
"Holy Smokel can hardly walk. "
he muttered 81 will go along with
you to the corral to teach my legs how
TO behave. And as for you. Church
H." his voice deepening on the word,
"go on into the cabin. and wait there
till we come"
There was nothing for Shelby to do
hut obey. Suspicion caused him to
feel thrill of apprehension from In
nothing In the words TO resent. and
his only chance OF safety lay In an
outward appearance of satisfaction
The girl drew aside, and he stepped
forward into the room. An instant
she fingered. as he glanced hastily
about at the plainly furnished inter
Tor. then closed the door, and began
busying herself in arranging the ia.
BILE. She was young. not over six
teen. he judged. with dark hair and
eyes. decidedly pretty. and with a
quick movement, like the flight of &
bird Twice she passed him on hei
Journeys to the fire place. withou. ever
glancing in his direction; then sudden
" their eyes met. and she laughed out
right.
'You vera dull, Americana I no
see a man like you before. she de
clared positively. You not care tail
with me?r
"Sure TO" and he Strengthened up
Il thought maybe you couldn't talk m!
language
s'0h. that Get; you not speak Span
ish. senor?"
"Well. hardly. l kin make ont in |
way what anybody says. but when !
comes to talking the lingo. I'm a bi
rusty"
"where you Iearny'
swhen l was in the army, in Ar
zonas
~I*in Arizona once-Tucson: yol
, thereg Good You not soldier now?
"OlI no; that was quite Will
ago: that is why have forgotten M
Spanish. There aren't many of You
people up here.
She shook her head, resting bae
against the table, and gazing al hin
frankly with her dark eyes.
@Junn and ] all alone here" sh
confessed ',Eet Is not niee-no:
ike nor these AInericanUs. You