The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-27

When Pnll tumDleQ from the du-
tomobile into the road. he was, as
he described it later, knocked
silly" for a moment When he re-
gained his senses he found himself
in the strong grasp of one of his
enemies, galloping over the plains
on the back of a horse. His cap
tor, realizing this, and knowing al
so that he was far enough away
from Ruth Randolph to prevent
him from giving the girl aid, shov-
ed the young man from the horse
and left him sitting in a rather
awkward position on the ground.
Phil stared stupidity at the disap-
pearing horseman and then strug-
gled to his feet. He didn't know
what to do next. There was little
use in trudging back to where he
had left Ruth He figured that by
this time she had probably escaped
her pursuers and was driving the
car toward San Mario. He started
in that direction.
About an hour later as he was
entering the outskirts OF the town,
the White Rider galIoped up in a
cloud of dust
Miss Randolph is waiting for
you at the hotel in San Mario,
the mysterious horseman told him.
She had a narrow escape from
death at the hands of your enc
mics. l appeared on the scene just
in time. You should compel her
to be more careful"
"She is safe them" inquired
Phil. anxiously.
''She is never safe while she is
in this country" came the answer
Another thing" the White Rider
added. tell Miss Randolph that
and intends 10 put it in the bank
vault at San Mario. That's all
Before Phil could ask another ques-
ton the man of mystery struck his
horse with his quirt and dashed
away.
Il wonder who in the dickens
this bird is?" Phil asked himself
as he continued his journey. Hes
the most helpful little fellow I've
ever seen. He must be related to
Santa Claus"
Meanwhile, at the San Mario Ho-
tel. a big business deal was being
transacted. Sheldon, representing
the banking interests in the East,
had succeeded in securing half of
Jim LOOMS interest in the Golden
Pool. After accomplishing this,
the enterprising young man decid-
ed to hunt up Miss Randolph and
persuade her to give the Golden
Pool to the Blue Hawks.
But at that moment she was be-
ing addressed by both Gray Wolf
and Shading Bear. who were plead
ing their cause for the ownership
of the pool
IF you will decide in favor of
the Blue Hawks" Gray Wolf was
saying, I'VE will convert the pool
into my cash and my tribe will be-
come rich and happy"
Gray Wolf is wrong" interrupt
ed Standing Bear. $50 much gold
will bring sloth and corruption to
the tribe and disaster to the coun-
try"
But if the white people owned
the Golden Pool" retorted the
chief of the Blue Hawks, they
would turn it into money just as
we intend to do"
Gray Wolf intends to sell the
Golden Pool to a group of Eastern
bankers" explained Standing Bear,
turning to the girl only a few
men will benefit Then gold will
become too plentiful and the world
will have to find a new standard of
value The rich will become poor
and the poor will become paupers.
All industry will stop. No one
Will have an incentive to work, be-
cause too much gold will reduce
the value of everything to nothing"
The girl listened attentively to
both chieftains as they pleaded
with her Then. turning to Stand
ing Bear, she asked. What would
you do with the Golden Pool
should 1 award it to your tribe?"
IF you decide in favor of the
Buffaloes,' answered Standing
Bear, 81 will give The gold to the
government Then taxation will
become unnecessary and poverty
will be wiped out The government
elected by the people will use the
vast golden treasure wisely and for
the people. Our country will pos
sess the greatest gold reserve in
the world and become financially
invincible."
Ruth considered for moment.
then: 81 cannot decide this ques-
ton until l find the Wampum Belt
and learn its secret by which I will
be guided" she answered.
Gray Wolf left the room angrily.
Ont side he encountered