The Holbrook news., 1921-06-10
CHAPTER vIII-continued.

-8
 Shelby rode away silently between the two. conscious that this brief con versation had in no way improved his position. To be sure he had escaped an immediate meeting with HanIey 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 movement. They rode at a walk through 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 bridle of the buckskin. and was firm ly guiding the animal.
 HI" said Laud suddenly, ''I forgot all about the Kid. Wanter see him. Churchill?"
 Mot specially ternight," Shelby ad- mltted hastily, "mornin' will be soon enough"
 "AIl right, then; 'tain't much far ther, enyhow. There's the high rock, Juan; the light'n show round the next turn"
 IT did Shinfn0 mt IiIya O cfor oDd they drove up in front of 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 a young woman appeared in the entrance. peer ing forth.
 "That you. JuanY she asked in Spanish.
 "Si: there are three of us, Pancha, !" replied the Mexican. "and we would eat quickly. Is the senor here?"
 "Not since noon, Juan. He said little wheh he rode away. yet there has that occurred I would talk with you about"
 "'Tis well, little one-after We eat there will be time."
 I4aud 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 I can hardly walk, |" he muttered. q will go along with you to the corral to teach my legs how to behave. And as for you, Church. Ill.," his voice deepening on the word, "go on into the cabin, and wait there till we come"
 There was nothing for Shelby to do but obey. Suspicion caused him to feel a thrill of apprehension from In- dian Joe's curt manner, yet there was 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- for. then closed the door, and began busying herself In arranging the ta- ;bIe. 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 a bird. Twice she passed him on her journeys to the fire place, without even gIancing in his direction then sudden ly their eyes met, and she laughed out right.
 "You verra dull, Americana. not see man like you before," she de clared positively. "You not care talk with meY
 Sure dO," and he strengthened up. 'T thought maybe you couldn't talk my language
 "Oh,, that eet; you not speak Span ish. senor?"
 "Well, hardly. kin make out in way what anybody says, but when it comes to talking the lingo, I'm a bit rusty"
 Where you learnr
 "When I was in the army, in Ari- zona."
 "I in Arizona once-Tucson you there? Good. You not soldier now?'
 "Oh, no; that was quite a while ago; that is why have forgotten my Spanish There aren't many of your people up here."
 She shook her head, resting back against the table, and gazing at him frankly with her dark eyes.
 "Juan and I all alone here" she confessed. "Eet is not nice-no; I like not these Americanos. You do