Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-02-22
CHAPTER x.
The Rrodiqal Son.

HIS SISlSf atlu LduId, Louuoh at lie DSi
Mar, Repentance was writ large all
, over his face and manner. From Da-
Wis: and from the girls he had heard
the story of how. Soapy Stone had in
tended to destroy him. His scheme Of
life had been broken Into pieces and
he was badly shaken young scamp.
When Luck and Curly came into the
room he jumped up, very white about
the lips.
"Father!"
my boy!"
Cullison had him by the hand, one
arm around the shaking shoulders.
"What-whas-?"
Sans question broke down, but his
father guessed it.
"Soapy and Bad Bill were killed,
Dutch is prisoner, and Blackwell es-
capped. All Spring Valley is out after
him"
The boy shuddered and drew long
sobbing breath. "I've been fool, IA
ther-and worse"
Forget II, son. Well wipe the slate
clean. I've been to blame, too"
1t was no place for. outsiders. Curly
beat retreat into the next room. The
young women followed him. Both Of
them were frankly weeping. Arms
twined about each others waists, they
disappeared into On adjoining bed.
room. 49,
Don't CO." Kate called to him over
her shoulder.
Curly sat down and waited. Pres
enly Kate came back alone. Her shin
ing eyes met his.
II never was so happy in all my life
before. Tell me what happened
everything, please"
AS much as was good for her to
know Curly told. Without saying
e word she listened till he was through.
At last she spoke in low, sweet
voice.
"lEhat can we 60 for you? First
!, you save father land, then Sam;c, You
HNsked everything for my brother-to
win him back to US, to save his life and
now his reputation. If you had been
killed people would always have be-
lleved you were one of the gang"
"Sho! That's nonsense, Miss Kate"
He. twisted his hat in his hand uneas:
lily. Honest, l enjoyed every bit Of
. it. And fellow has to pay his debts"
WAS that why you did it?" she
asked softly.
"Yes. I had to make good. had to
- show your father and you that had
not, thrown away all your kindness.
So quilt travelling that downhill road
on which l had got started"
Tin glad-I'm glad" She wills
pered 1t SO low he could hardly hear.
"There was one way to prove my
self That was to stand between Sam
and trouble. So butted in and spoiled
Soapy's game"
IT wish could tell you how fine fa-
ther thinks it was of you. He doesn't
speak Of it much, but ! know"
Nothing to what did-nothing at
all" A wave Of, embarrassment had
crept to the roots of his curly hsir.
Just because fellow-oh, shucks"
"That's all very well for you to say,
but you can't help us thinking what
we please"
"But that amt right. don't want
you thinking things that amt so, be-
cause"
"Yes? Because"
She lifted her eyes and met his.
Then she knew it had to come out,
that the feeling banked in him would
overflow In words.
Because you're the girl love-"
He had not intended to say it now,
lest he might seem 10 be urging his
services as q claim upon her. But the
words had slipped out in spite Of him.
She held out her two hands to him
with q little gesture Of surrender. The
light of loTe was in her starry eyes.
A2d ten
She was in his arms, and the kisses
he had dreamed about were IN his lips.
CHAPTER xT.
Cutting Trail.
Kate Cullison had disappeared, had
gone ont riding one morning and at
nightfal had. not returned. AS the
hohrs PASSED anxiety ut the Circle
became greater.
"Mebbe she got lost Bob suggested.
Her father secuted this rs absurd.
"You don't reckon Il cougar" be-
gan Sweeney, and stopped. "
Luck looked ut his han!ly-legged old