The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-21
CHAPTER XIII (Continued.) EsNTU ,,

up the veranda steps, The iron com posture of his features was und1s- turbed, but the eyes that sought Ce- celia, and rested upon her to the ex- clusion of all else, were blank with hopeless renunciation.
 "We've reached the end of this farce,'' he said tersely. But before I say goodbye and' - he glanced down for the ring on Cecelia's finger, and settled his mouth more griTnly when he saw that she had hidden her hand behind her dress-ttbefore I set you free of any connection you may have with me, I want to -"
 Ceceha nodded toward the trail.
 t'See!'' she ejacu1ated fearfully-
 Riding hotIy in advance Of his men was another horseman making d1- rectly for the house. As he drew near the pink-skinned countenance of Lariat Jim could be distinguished knotted in passion. His white-lath- cred horse drew up with a jerk py the veranda steps, and the enraged cowboy jumped from the saddle. One intention he had. and that shot dark Iy out of his angry eyes. But before he had dra gged up his gun, CeceI1a, her nerveIess figure made taut by great fear. sprang in front of Calder.
 ''StopI' she cried clearly. Don't shoot! He is my husband!'
 There was a moment gwen to slow comprehension, during which the posse rode up and halted by the steps. saaeir gaze concentrated curl busly on the motion1ess tableau being enacted before their eyes.
 He is my husband!" Cece1ia re- peated, as though her statement had been doubted or she hal failed to ex- press herself distinctly.
 At length Darrow spoke. ''Hus- band!" he exclaimed skepticalIy.
 But the word had driven the rn- anity out of his face. A keen alert ness gathered in his eyes. He was shocked into sobriety. He glanced at Henderson who leaned. white Hpped and bewildered, against the wall of the house. Then he glanced into Cece1ia's proud and defiant eyes, Something in their expression com pelled his respect A great convic- tion shone in their depths, like a star reflected from the surface or 8 deep well during the noon-tide hour of a, summer solstice.
 Calder gently set aside the slight figure so protecting1y cast before him Her confession had not changed the look in his eyes nor softened the res o1ute line of his mouth. But he seemed less able to cope with his own sternness. Those never-fai1ing springs of a mans nature-hope or love, hope of happiness - gushed forth and drowned his bitterness in a flood of golden balm. His courage was near the breaking point; but for that reason he was all the more rigid in his se1f-reDression. He would not look into Cece1ia's pfteous eyes
 ''I came here" he said coldly, "to set matters straight. Perhaps I have waited too long, but I don't need woman's protection; neither is 1t necessary for her to sacrifice herself on my behalf. I suppose" he con tinued formally to Darrow, "I neeo not tell you that your sister is en- tirely free. If I was fool enough to dream of her-that dream is all over. It was the delusion of a madman 10 think of her at all.
 I've played the part of a madman, and I hope I haven't repented too late. She is free of me- If she begged of me I would not take this from her. I've not sunk low enough for that. But I'm nothing to her-less than nothing. It was her woman's pity that spoke to save me from a bullet that God knows, I de- served. But there are other means at hand, and we will leave her out of the question. Where is that half breed cook of yours who calls himself SeIka?"
 Gone" formed itself on Darrow's lips. Then he gave a short laugh and held back the word. NoiseIess- ly and unseen by the preoccupied group on the veranda, two horsemen had riden forth from the foothills that lay over toward Rodeo.
 They were now p1unging through the sand up the trail, Selka to the front, and behind him, covering his back with a remarkably large and deadly looking pistol. was the twin. straight to the veranda rail they rode. Preserving his threatening attitude. and yet with a daredevil hint of laughter in his wide blue eyes, the twin ordered the ha1f-breed to dis mouns and followed him up the steps.
 This were diviI of a half-breed has got something t say,'' the twin re- easily, ''and it snore caeers me to see I'm gettin' we're in time to save this impetoos brother of mine from committin' some moo atrocity. When left you-aI1 so 1nrormar like. that night you was searchin' Calder's corral, I seen this red div1I sneak1n' q 14OSS 4A1LG1 O1iG Ol SdIQerS sheds.
 ''I goes fir hinl, an he hops onrer tn hoss and vamoses. I chases him. chases him clean down into Mexico an brings him back; an if you want that bay hoss of yourn, Jim. you'u md It hitched safe an strong onrer tn side Of Bill Bonds Germ Bfiou Saloon, where tn drinks is on you when I'm through with my little speech. Now Selka give us your story in plan Americana, with no fancy confggerations of yourn. What name you ben gofn' under?-
 Calder" the haLf-breed admitted 
 An what's your occopashun
 Horse raising
 Substitute hoss stealing and you are correct" the twin advised cheer l fully
 Who you ben impersunatin' ?''
 The half-breed nodded his head toward Calder.
 The twin stuck the pistol in his