The Holbrook news., 1921-07-22

wasn't no fault O mine. Then 1t
 seemed like his shuf1in' off put the
 cards right in my hands. It sure proved she was the girl an now she
 was left plum alone, it didn't look no
 awful hard job for me to shine up an
 marry her, before anybody else got
 wise. Say, had 1t all figured out when you an Dan Mccarthy horned in on
 that fool stunt of yours, an knocked my game galley-west. Then I cottoned onto that job with you. l didn't aim to stay out there punchin' steers, but just thought I'd see how things turned out. l sorter figured it this way-the girl she didn't care nothin' for you she just married yer ter get out CT there, an hav' some place ter live; an
 maybe, out there on the Cottonwood, l could make love to her, an some day we'd skip out together. That's as far as l went at furst, an goin' out over them prairies, I got it into my head that she didn't have no objection to a little filtration. I was feelin' quite foxy about it when we got to the ranch"
 The lashes dropped low over Olga's eyes, and her cheeks burned.
 ''Then I reckon the devil must CT took charge O the game, fer the min- ute l was left alone out there l run into bunch O Indian cattle thieves. knew two of 'em for they were out of the Hole here, an all at onct, 1t struck me I might just as well have the job over with. took 1t she didn't care about you, an that little strong arm stuff would pan out all right. It works with most women. I didn't have no notion then of pumping you off, Shelby, but the buck who took that job cracked you good an hard. Well, that makes the whole story, don't itf'
 He shut his eyes, his head falling back in complete exhaustion. Only his labored breathing proved that Mack lin still lived. Olga held him motion less in her lap, bending ever and soft ly smoothing back his hair with one hand. Shelby left them there, creep ing out through the entrance onto the rock platform without.
 It had ceased showing, but enough had fallen to cover the bluff with a white mantle, obliterating the trail, and leaving the valley below covered. The sky arched over all dull and gray. Shelby hung out over the ledge, watchfully studying the view out spread beneath. It was peaceful scene enough, with scarcely a moving figure visible. He could hardly real ize that this was the haunt of out laws. where only a few hours before he had been desperately struggling for life. The daylight revealed no sign of disorder or pursuit, the only re- hinder of what had occurred being the blackened ruins of the burned cabin almost directly below. Yet this was deserted and the snow about appeared untrampled. The sight gave him hope, yet he felt strangely depressed and unnerved. The remembrance of the scene just witnessed could not be cast off. He had no reason to question the truth of that occasion and 1t had impressed him strongly. Macklin was evidently dying; was already beyond help. Any breath might prove to be his last, and itwas even then too late for any doctor to save him. But would Pancha return In time to assist them? Would she bring sufficient help with her? In spite of the ominous quiet below he felt no faith that Indian Joe would so easily abandon their trail. He was not that kind. Something ,,-o,,ld oScrradIu oro,1ca hfc cucpiciop that they had not perished in the flames. Indeed, that could be easily ascertained by search of the debris, and the perturbed ranchman was far from being satisfied that Pancha alone knew of this secret trail. Why, Macklin stated he had himself been up as far as the cave; and 1t was scarcely likely it had been entirely overlooked so long by these others-the Indians certainly must have secured every inch of these bluffs at one time or an- other. Something for the moment, may have drawn aside suspicious of his escape, yet those devils would track him down. The conviction haunted him.
 He drew back just in time. There was the sharp crack of rife; bull let clipped the outer edge of the para pet, and a little puff of smoke curled up away to the left and vanished against the leaden sky. Shelby fell flat on his face and crept backward, seeking instinctively the protection of an overhanging rock, his eyes instant ly marking that vague spiral of smoke. He had guessed right. Indian cunning had already learned the truth and had found means of approach unknown even to the Mexican girl. Somewhere in the security of those rocks, keen eyes were watching every movement, savagely eager to end all by some we'll directed shot. Yet, with the chug of the bullet, all depression left him. He knew now what he had to face; that narrow platform must be defended. for hours probably, revolvers pitted against rifles; himself alone against an unknown number of assailants. It meant caution as well as bravery, the quick wit of white man outgeneraJ ing savage treachery. Even as he rolled over, so as to cautiously lift his head, the "45" was jerked from it's holster and rested ready in his hand. He heard Olga at the cave entrance.
 Stay back !" he ordered sternly.