The Red Cloud chief., 1921-02-03

'N'utt sout tIut- was III
POnca. Calkins had to be put out of
the way"
"You-mean Macklln?"
"Yes; only. ms ] say that is prob
ably not the fellows name-he is Cor
nelius Churchill's SON."
"Where-where did you learn all
this?'
"Macklin told the story. when he
was drunk. to another rascal. crept
up to campfire one night and heard
the latter relate the tale"
"Where was thls?"
"On Dragon creek"
"Yes-but when?"
might before last; while was
seeking to trail you"
She had never released her grasp of
his hand; now It frightened.
might before last; you-you never
knew It before?"
Certainly not"
"You didn't marry me be-because
I had all this money!"
Shelby laughed lightly.
Lord. no; never suspected you
had five cents"
"And-and." she went on earnestly.
"you--you followed after me. hurt as
you was. never knowing about all this
--just-because II was .me?"
"Thats sure right; leastwise until
struck this outfit over on Dragon
creek, and I can't say that I cared n
d-n about the money at all; only 1t
gave me a notion Of what was up. I'd
come just the same; you can bet your
life on that"
"Oh, I am glad you said so! And
you-you actually don't care for the
money!"
"Care for It! Little girl. I amt
given 1t thought. I'm here for
you"
"Me? You care for me?"
swell, ! reckon must. Long as
you're my wife, I'm your husband,
amt II"
"Yes," she said, rather wearily. II
understand"
Her glance was toward the open
door into the other room. and she
seemed anxious to change the topic.
"What-what happened out there
last night? Do you know? There was
fighting, and a shot fred. am sure
heard cry, as though some one was
hurt, and then after that everything
was silent"
There was a fight" he answered.
"and II cost the lives of two men,
one white, the other Indian. found
them gripped in each others arms
there on the floor, both dead!"
Both dead! Two of them out
there. How horrible! Who are they?"
"One must have been your guard"
"Yes, the Indian; but the Other?"
"A rufiian named Slagln; he was
one Of the fellows I overheard talk
ing about your case. He must have
known that Macklin left you here
alone last night, and came to see you
for some purpose. He must have en-
cOuntered the Indian unexpectedly,
and the two went into the death grap-
ple."
"And-bOth were killed?
Eyes; the red was shot, and the
white choked to death. 1t was game
fight all right. l couldn't pry the fel-
lows apart"
"And they are there now?"
"NOt In sight-nO; l rolled the
bodies back under a bench out of
sight, and threw an old blanket over
them. Now see here, Olga" he went
on earnestly, "we've got to get out Of
here before anyone comes. i know a
place where we can hide. and a trail
that leads up from this Hole: but the
first thing to do is to get safely away
60 with me?"
"Of course: but do you dare make
the attempt by dayllghtT
~ don't dare anything else. Every
minute we waste here adds to our
danger You have nothing to take
with you?"
She shook her head; then suddenly
she lifted ner eyes again, and looked
him directly in the face.
"Tom Shelby" she asked impetuous.
ly. "is what you said actually true
that you are just doing this because
you have got to, being my husband"
He stared at her, surprised, and
confused by so direct question.
"Sure; that's what l ought to do
amt It? But maybe you don't exactly
sabe what l mean. IL reckon I've
got TO thinkin' lot about you lately
since that galoOt took you away
mean; and-and well, I'm id glat
you are my wife," he broke forth des
perately. "That's honest how I fee
about IT,"
The clear eyes watching him smiled
and she stretched out her hand.
"You are sure then 1t Is not just |
duty. You really want me to go will
you?"
~ amt much good telling thes
things. but that's what want.
reckon there amt no world big enougl
to keep me from huntin' you up-God
did you hear that"
II was the harsh voice OF MAJ
singing. the voice of Joe Macklin.