The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-04-21
CHAPTER I.

Return Of the Wanderer.

Return OF the WdnucEcT.
Shelby, alone in the blackboard,
drove to the summit OF the ridge, halt
Ing the broncs. as his eyes swept over
the scene outspread below. The ami
mails, their dusty sides streaked with
sweat, stopped willingly after their
sixty-mile trip from the Cottonwood.
Below was a deep. narrow valley.
In the midst OF which Ponca spread
out along the bank OF the creek that
gave the town its name. To Shelby,
wearied with the dull plains, here was
, scene Of beauty.
Just beyond there was life, fresh.
tuxuriant, sweet; running water, lusci-
Gus green grass, and above all, that
which he craved most, human COM
partnership. To be sure, he knew
Fonca Of old. and possessed no illu-
sions. Ugly, dirty, unkempt. Ponca
made no pretense to either cleanli-
ness. or responsibility 1t possessed
no pride. no hope OF future. 1t
seemed to recognize It's destiny, and
be content. a mere mushroom town Of
the frontier, an adjunct OF the cattle
trade, permitted to flourish today. but
N certainly doomed to perish tOmor-
row.
The man who sat there on the ridge
gazing down, the reins held idly In
his hand, his eyes following the wind
Ing Of the valley. was a perfectly nat
ural part Of the picture-he belonged.
Beneath the tan and dust was
smoothly shaven face, face Of
twenty-five, or twenty-six, the features
strong, nose somewhat prominent, lips
arm and full. with dark-gray eyes
Swallowed by heavy lashes. In truth,
ne appeared all man, certain reck-
less gayety about him not to be mis-
taken. yet as evidently not to be light
ly taken advantage OF.
1T certainly beats H." he NUT
tered. unconsciously aloud, that
man should dream about visiting a
dump like this. Shows what sort o.
place Cottonwood is TO make a fellow
homesick for Ponca. Town looks
kinder dead; no cattle in the corrals.
HI. what's the difference? There'll
be some OF the old bunch hangin
round. an wen make things hum for
awhile. Come. broncs, Jog along Let's
yhow Ponca we're live outfit u
1t was a rough. curving descent, the
trail IN places barely wide enough for
the wheels. but the driver never lost
control, guiding the broncos with ex-
pert hand, until they finally swung
about the edge Of great rock at the
bottom, and went charging at full
gallop into the main street. To better
express the exuberance OF his feelings
at this return to civilization. and an
nounce his arrival. Shelby whipped out
his gun and began SCATTERING the at
driving the animals frantic
az the sharp reports rang out over
their backs.
But II any sensation was expected,
Il signally failed to materialize. Ponca
remained deserted, and unimpressed.
Long experience had either rendered
the inhabitants Indifferent to such a
display, or else the town had gone
utterly dead. The silence and desola-
ton caused Shelby to utter an oath.
and suddenly swing his team up to
hitching rack in front of McCarthy's
saloon, the door Of which stood in
willingly open. An instant the per
picked driver sat there. staring grim
ly about from end to end OF the de-
serted street.
what the Ill" he CALCULATED at
last. IFS up anyhow Is this a grave
ward I've got into7 Lord. II can't be
all the boys have got out: but some
thing is sure dead wrong. Well. Macs
Ipen anyhow. I'll go in and find out"
He sprang out over the wheel, stiff
fened from the long ride, yet standing
erect nevertheless and strobe up the
saioOp and In through the open