The Holbrook news., 1921-07-29

1 face. These might cause trouble, but she must take that chance. There was but one way to save Macklin's life the doctor at Gerlasche. Shelby had told her so and nothing else remained fixed in her mind. Mother of God, she would save him
 There were three horses in the little stable shack back of the cabin. She crept cautiously up through the fog, unable to see in the gloom, but To- eating the animals by touch. One was still moist from riding, Lauds pony, no doubt. The next was her own, having scarcely stamina for such trip, but the third was the bay Juan had always been so proud or. She led the animal out, saddled ana bridled him in the darkness, and then, mounting in the gray dawn, with prayer in her heart for help and guidance she rode slowly out into the trail. A fire burned in front or the little house beside the falls, mere flicker of half-burned logs, with two men lowering over it. One or them started up, at sound of the horses hoofs and gripped a rifle. He was white, Tapping hat brim shadow ing his face; the other, an Indian, wrapped in a blanket, merely hfteu his head. and stared moodily. Her heart gave a sharp bound, but sne refined up carelessly, as the fellow stepped into the trail. He peereu curiously into her face.
 HI, young woman. you're out d-d early, ain't you? Whats up?"
 There was nothing vicious in his greeting, and her heart quit its pound ing.
 ''Pm after doctor. Sam" she said swiftly, believing boldness the best card to play. My brother has been shot,"
 "Sure. I heard that, only they told me he was dead; he ain't, hey? Had rumpus with Injun Joe. didn't hep
 'Yes; I just heard about it. He must have the doctor right away"
 "Where the h-l you aim to find one?"
 lover at Gerlasche. There Is an army surgeon there"
 Sure, but I'm bettin' the cuss won't come. less he brings the whole army Tong with him. He'd have ter mosey in we're blindfold if he did"
 Just the same heell come, if find heem," she said grimly, flor I'll bring heem, dead or alive. Who's out there on the trailF
 "'Red' Haines, an Stumpy, Tong with a couple of Sioux. The boys are bit jumpy just now with all them sojers scoutin' the Bad Lands. Maybe they'll try ter stop yer, but yer tell lem I said it was all right. Say, what was goin' on last night-shootin, ter beat h-l up the canyon. an there was quite a fire, tooP
 "Row over the girl Macklin brought in," she explained calmly, "an' the old cabin got burned"
 Some more O Injun Joe's cussed- ness, I reckon?
 'Yes, he was in it; well, Adios Sam."
 She rode forward, never even ven- turing to glance back. Thus far ev- erything had gone easier than she could have hoped. There were no or ders out against her, and these night guards were not even aware of what had taken place. She guided her horse under the veil of falling water, and up the steep bank beyond, out into the valley of the Cottonwood. There was little danger of meeting anyone now, she needed to avoid, and once beyond those watchers at the head of the trail, the way would be open. She came upon these just be- low the crest, grouped for shelter under the ledge of an outcropping rock. Haines had been drinking and was in a good humor, listening 10 her story with a broad grin, and dismiss ing her willingly enough.
 gro h-l, O course yer kin go," he said thickly. "Yer brother pulled me out O the Sowskin onct. He's a d-n good scout of Mex. Go to it. girl; you know the trail?"
 "Yes, along the edge of the Bad Lands."
 Sure; better keep in the first gully, CT yer might run inter sojer out fit. They're thicker than fleas out there now, they tell me. So long, sister,"
 It had begun to snow, big, heavy flakes, drifting with the wind, quickly whitening the landscape. The slight marks of the trail were almost instant ly obliterated, but the low range of hills ahead were a sufficient landmark, and she forced her horse into swift pace; riding with her head lowered, but with watchful eyes peering through the snow curtain.
 She was alone now; free, with noth- ing intervening between her and Ger lasche. Her heart bounded with the elixir of success-she would bring back the doctor to Macklin. She felt no doubt any more.
 The direct trail circled just within the outer range of the sand hills, making 1t impossible for her to mis- take the way even in that maze of snow She rode more carelessly now that she was safely out of sight, and free from any possibility of pursuit. The horse, with lowered head, seemed to feel the urgency, and plunged for ward eagerly. Suddenly as they swept around a sharp corner, seeing and hearing nothing to warn of any other nreSence in that solitude they came