New Britain herald., 1921-09-07


 toward the door. There another guest stood looking in confusedly.
 Why Phil However in the world Only one moment did GIor- lana hesitate; the next she rose and stepped forward with outstretched hand, quite as though receiving a fre- quent and honored visitor. My friends sure know when to rally"
 Accepting both greeting and hand with a grateful glance. young Strong advanced into the center of the room and gazed about at the scene of gen eral disorder. The full force of his attention settled upon the girl. Thank God. you're safe!'' he exclaimed.
 Then you ain't meaning to hand over the ranch and nags like your father agreed?" impatiently interject- ed Rudd.
 Not an any Fourth -of-July brute like you.''
 Say, miss. you can't play with me like this and get away with it.''
 His protest was a threat.
 Seth Gilson moved interestedly to- ward him. Miss Frazer can play anything from high finance to num- blety-peg with you if she likes-and win. But she won't like. You're welcome here just long enough to an- swer some few questions truthfully. Here's the first one: How much did Vou promise to pay wonder pair of deuces for tonight's outrage?"
 The horseman evidently considered the policy of silence; then, on ap- praisement of the threatening tenn perature, thought better of it.
 '1 never laid eyes on them two, so help mel" he again declared.
 of course no one believes you. I'll put question two: How far did you tell them to go?'
 Gloriana had spoken, her mind on the personal indignity SC nearly forced upon her by the scar-faced crook.
 How could I tell them anything when l never so much as seen them 9" Rudd looked increasingly innocent.
 Maybe our cornered rough-necks have not had a good look at you" Gil son suggested. If they were the least bit anxious about their pay, now, they might consider this an suspicious moment for collection. Far be it from me to deprive them of the op portunity. Come back inside.
 Strong stepped close to the pair and urged them to give evidence against Rudd, promising his best of fees with the judge and district at torney, whom he knew well.
 'I wouldn't turn states for no man. grumbled Jazz. mot even if I could, which I can't"
 1T consider I've been outrageously treated" Rudd sputtered as he moved toward the door.
 Chamber the chatter, for I'm for getting fast" Philomena shrilled aft nr h ney' good.''
 Evidently the betrousered brunette's advice appealed, for the least popu- lar of the uninvited guests made his exit at a bound and disappeared into the night.
 Gilson now busied himself bath ing and bandaging the Spiders As he worked, he could not help overhearing the hot-headed young ranchman. whose trail seemed bound to cross his own, speaking in a meek-spirited aside.
 II never suffered so much in my life. dear girl. as coming over from Emerald, so don't scoid me for my second offense. Flimsy as were the for my fears-only busybody Indians chance sight of couple of strangers headed this way it brought me nightmare of alarms I simply can't think calmly where you are concerned. And there's no use in my trying to stay angry with you You can't imag zine what I'd have given to be first to your rescue. It's just my cross-grained tuck that another man should stum- ole-'
 Having affixed the last pin in the
 
 referred to, Gilson did not hesitate o stumble again-this time into their -ather intimate conversation.
 Here you are, Strong. Throw one ,f your handy Western hopples around this fellows ankles, won't rou?''
 Was there just a flash of amuse- nent in the girls tawny eyes? He ,ould not be as sure of that as of he poor grace with which the hand some cowman went about the dictated ask.
 That finished. the three stood to- sether looking down at the tramps The chunky one called Jazz for short to be dozing off.
 Here you, sCar-face, wake up.' 1ilson ordered. "A cell in town is he nice bedroom I've reserved for you tonight, and you've not reached t yet Hi he taking you along in minute. .'You1l be taking them? ?" Strong .rowped over the question and an other which followed. Where did you get that bright idea?''
 "Old Hercules out in the yard has been used as a patrol-wagon in this before. and the government won't mind its serving these unwor- .hies. We'll all sleep sounder know ing tthey'he duly locked up.
 Gloriana glanced anxiously from the old friend to the new.
 II shouldn't think of troubling you -