The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-05-12
CHAPTER XII.
ConVcroino Trails

Beulah Harris raised her arms above
her head and drank in the fresh noun
tain air that flooded through the open
window.
They had been great times-wonder-
full times-these weeks spent in the
freedom and harmony of the Arthurs'
household. Mr.. and Mrs Arthurs-
Uncle Fred and Aunt Lillian, as she
now called them-had opened their
hearts and their home to Beulah from
the first. Indeed, the girl was often
conscious of their gaze upon her, and
at times she would look up quickly
and surprise a strange, wistful look OF
yearning in their eyes-a look that
they tried very hard to hide from her.
They wanted to leave her free to live
her own life-to shape her career, for
a time at least, wholly in accordance
with her impulses.
The arrival of her mother at the Ar
thurs ranch had brought fresh Joy to
Beulah's life. She saw the color COM
ing back TO the old face, the frame
Strengthening up little. the light re-
kindling in the eye. the spring return
Ing to the step. She had not thought
that her mother. after % years of I'M
protesting submission, had still the
nerve to place a limit on that submits
sion, and the discovery had surprised
and delighted her. True, Mary Harris
let it be known that she was only on a
visit. and In due course would return
TO her home but Beulah knew the die
had been cast, and things could never
again be quite as they were,
And then n sound caught her ear,
and up the trail she saw two men on
horseback, a mounted policeman and
another. and behind them other men
driving in buggy.
BY intuition Beulah knew that a
mishap had occurred. Quickly she
drew on her simple clothing and hur-
ried downstairs. but Arthurs was al
ready at the door. The little party
came into the yard, and the policeman
rode up TO the door. The other horse
man sat with his back TO the house;
his hands were chained together in
front Of him.
Good morning, Sergeant Grey" said
Arthurs. You're early out"
The sergeant Saluted. The saluta-
ton was intended for Arthurs, but at
the moment the policeman's eye fell
on Beulah. and even the discipline or
the force could not prevent a momen-
tary turning of the head.
I've a badly hurt man here" he
said, "a man who will need your hos
pitality and care for some days. There
was shooting up the valley last night.
His father is here, too, unhurt physi-
cally, but on the verge of collapse, if
am not mistaken"
I'VE will bring both of them in at
once" said Arthurs. "Beulah, will you
call Lillian, and your mother, too? They
may be needed. But who is the third?"
he continued, turning to Grey.
"A prisoner. 1t seems the older man
OverpOwered him. Not let us get this
poor fellow in"
The policeman beckoned and Harris
drove the buggy up TO the door. Ar
thurs glanced at him with a casual
Good morning" but the next instant
his eyes were riveted on the visitor.
John Harris - he exclaimed, taking
great stride forward and extending his
long arm. Man, John, I'm glad to
see you, but not in these troubles"
Harris took his hand in a silent
clasp, and there was a warmth in it
that set his heart beating as it had
not for years. Its hard, Fred" he
managed 20 say in a dry voice. but
it's good to have you by"
Arthurs bent over Allan, who was
half sitting, half lying, in the buggy.
His face was Slapped and gray in the
growing light. Tenderly the three men
lifted him out Take him straight up
stairs" said Arthurs. '1t will save
moving him again." Both spare rooms
in the house were occupied, but Ar
thurs led the way into Beulah's, and
they laid the wounded boy on the
white bed 49, =