The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-01-06

"isht tell me why you are hereT
The girl stifrened. To say that she
was from the New York Star would
close many avenues Of Information to
her. NO, the thing to do was to adopt
some "stalP that would enable her to
iule about as much as she chose. Then
the mad horseman gave her the idea
ohF she exclaimed. II forgot I
naant mentioned 1t. I'm assigned by
Scrlbbier's Magazine to do an article
on The Old West, Is 1t Really Goner
and, Mr.. Westcott, think 1 have a
lovely start"
A rev moments later she thanked
providence for her precaution, for her
companion resumed the story of his
mining claim.
ITS might funny 1 haven't heard
from that partner. 1t isn't like him
not to answer my wire. That's why
I've waited every night at the DEPOT
NO. It's not like Pep even If he does
take his leisure at the College club"
Miss Donovan's spine tingIed at the
mention of the name. "Pep," she mur.
INJURED, trying to be calm. "What was
his other name?"
"Cavendish," Westcott replisd
"Frederick Cavendish.'
A gasp almost escaped the girls
lips. Here, within an hour, she had
nnKed the many eastern clues Of the
Cavendish affair with one In the West
Was ever girl so lucky7 And imme.
diately her brain began to work furi.
| ously as she walked along.
A sudden turn about the base of a
large cliff brought them to Haskell, a
single street running up the broaden.
Ing valley, lined mostly with shacks
although a few more Dretentious
buildings were scattered here and
there, while an occasional tent flapped
Its discolored canvas in the night wind
They went forward, Westcott watch.
, full and silent, the valise in one hand
the other grasplng her arm. The mar.
row stretch Of sidewalk was jammed
with men, surging in and out through
the open door Of a saloon, and the
two held to the middle of the road,
which was lined with horses tied to
long poles. Men reeled out into the
street. and occasionally the sharp
crack Of some frolicsome revolver
punctuated the hoarse shouts and
bursts of drunken laughter. No other
woman was visible, yet, apparently, no
particular attention was paid to their
progress. But the stream of men
thickened perceptibly, until Westcott
was obliged to shoulder them aside
good-humoredly in order to open a
passage. He released her arm and
suddenly gripped the shoulder nf a
man passing. He was the town mar
shall.
Say, Dan, reckon this Is your busy
night, but I wish You'd help me run
this lady through as far as Timmons :;
this bunch Of longhorns appear to be
milling, and we're plum stalled"
The man turned and stared at them.
Short, stockily built, appearing ut first
view almost grOtesque under the broad
brim of his hat, Stella, recognizing the
marshal, was conscious only Of clean
shaven face, a square jaw and q pair
Of stern blue eyes.
"Oh, is that you, Jim7" he asked,
briefly. Lord. don't see why a big
boob like you should need a guardian.
The lady? Pardon me, madam" and
he touched his hat "Stand back there,
you fellows. Come on, folks!"
The little marshal knew his busi-
ness, and it was also evident that the
crowd knew the little marshal. Drunk
and quarrelsome as many Of them
were, they made way-the more OBJ
streperous sullenly, but~the majority
In spirit Of rough good humor. The
three passed straight through the
surging mass In the man-crowded lob
by Of the disreputable hotel.
At the desk, wide-eyed with excite
ment, Miss Donovan took q service
worn pen proffered by landlord Pete
Timmons, whose gray whiskers were
as unkempt as his hotel, and regis
tered her name.
"A telegram came today for you,
ma'am," Peter said In q cracked voice,
and tossed 1t over.
Miss Donovan tore 1t open. 1t was
from Farriss. 1t read:
If any clues, advise Immediately.
Willis digging hard. Letter Of instruc-
ton follows. FARRIS."
AhS Shi lOlueu Ine message, Infu8t
II IN her Jacket pocket. then turning to
the marshal and Westcott, gave each
q firm hand.
you've both been more than kind"
she said gratefully.
I'll, ma'am," Dan deprecated,
"that warn't nothin'I" And he hurried
Into the street as loud cries sounded
outside.
Goodnight, Miss Donovan" West
colt said simply. IF you are ever
frightened or in need Of a friend, call
on me. I'll be in town two days yet,
and after that Pete here can get word
to me-" Then, with an admiring hon
est gaze, he searched her eyes a mo-
! ment before he turned and strolled to-
ward the rude cigar case.
"All right, now, ma 'am7 Pete Tim
mons said. picking up her valise. The
girl nodded, and together they went up
the rude stairs to her room, where
ntt....~