The Clio messenger., 1921-05-19


out q 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 gayly, leaving her
broom in IA corner, and carrying the
lamp. The lean-to kitchen had been
transfigured, 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 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 sacking for n towel; 1t was all
could find. Then Wen get busy"
If Shelby was TO live 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 heartily over the
struggle o. 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,
and Shelby found himself observing
the fellow with some wonderment. His
looks were not at all prepcssessing,
now that he saw him more plainly re-
vealed in the lamplight, and he was
some years older than he had sup
posed The fellow had hard, dissl-
pated face, and his lips were thin,
with a distinctly cruel twist to them.
Shelby had intended putting the man
now decided the stable was good
enough for his use.
AS soon as they were through he
hunted up a second lantern.
"Take the rest of that stuff off the
blackboard, Macklin," he said shortly
"and stow 1t away in the cellar-cave
just to the right Of the house. I'll be
out presently, an well fix 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; 1t
is in worse shape than I realized"
She shook her head positively.
"Oh, no, mister man. This Is my
house, and am going to take care Of
it-all alone. have seen your style
OF housekeeping, and prefer my own.
You go on, and finish the work out
side; when you come back 1t will look
better In here"
Shelby went out. Macklin was SEEM
ingly busy at the task assigned him,
the lantern hung TO the broken branch
of convenient tree, lighting his path.
Without even speaking, the ranchman
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
Macklin, yet gave the matter no spe-
cial thought as he toiled slowly up the
path, his mind more deeply interested
In the reception awaiting him within.
He 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-
actly as he had left them. The silence
startled him, and he advanced swiftly
toward the kitchen, where the light
still burned, visible through the open
door. 1t also was deserted, the dirty
dishes yet setting on the table un-
touched Good God what was the
meaning Of this? What had occurred?
The outer door stood ajar, and he
sprang anxiously 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 tsken but
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 the savage blow.
II was gray dawn when Shelby
stirred once more, and, with eyes only
partially open. stared In bewilderment
at the pale arch of sky. Slowly men,
ory came back, and he managed to lift