The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-17
CHAPTER V. I Love Him.

1 Love Him.
 "Stop right where you are,' Darrow called out ''There's licuor nearer than Rodeo. Come into the house.
 Darrow was busy with a, bottle of cocktails and some glasses. and though this beverage seemed a little mild to the palate. it was received respectfully and presently Selka gave the sign for all to repair to the dln- ing room.
 Of the dinner Cecelia retained no clear remembrance. She was haunt ed by all sorts of anxious thoughts.
 More than one anxious glance she turned upon her brother. Bottle after bottle he brought forth of old rye and Scotch.
 Sidney Darrow drained glass after glass. The cowboys carelessly kept pace with him. The sheriff twitted Lariat Jim that Calder had called his four-f1ush.
 Lariat Jim looked up with deadly qvietness and his hand dropped to the butt of his gun. Then he re- m menlbere Cecelia's presence and he turned to her. his blue eyes beaming contritely.
 Cecelia smiled The smile faded from her face and she looked at him appealingly.
 ''I wish you would tell me what all this trouble is about-John Calder" she said slowly.
 'tNuthin' you all need be worry1n' over,'' I.ariat returned soothing1y.
 He stopped to look inquisitively at Selka who came in with a pot of cof- fee. After filling the cups the half- bree paused back of Lariat Jim's chair, and whispered in the cattle mans ear. What he had to commun- icate was satisfactory to both. Lariat Jim noded his head, his lips tighten ing, and the half-breed left the room, an evil glitter in his eyes.
 Cecelia thought of Selka's strange complicity in the events of the day. It flashed over her that the half-breed was playing a quiet but none the less venomous part in the trouble which was closing in around John Calder.
 The boys were growing hilarious. Their boisterous cheer became un- bearable to the girl. She arose ner- vous1y and went into the living room.
 The party iii the dining room broke up suddenly and came pouring through the hallway. Darrow already was in a quarrelsome mood.
 "Tll go with y-ou,'' he was saying, his voice keyed up disagreeab1y. There's Henedrson. He'd better come along, too"
 Whats this all about ?" Henderson asked quickly. with Calder Iariat Jim explained.
 Are you going back to his ranch ?"
 'tShore,'' Lariat Jim asserted. We know just where t lay hands on him now, him an the hoss we're lookin' for. We all was put wise by that we're ha1f-breed.''
 An we'll be askin' him t accom- pany us back to Rodeo." the sheriff said, with proper regard for the law.
 ''The hell you will,' the twin swore softly. You'll extenr that hospitality as fur as the nearest beam.''
 Cecelia, who had come to the door way. was listening, her eyes wide open again with horror.
 You're all mad!" she exclaimed. Mad! just mad!-I won't allow such an outrage!
 John Callers no thief. He is an honest man."
 A suppressed snigger passed through the group of men.
 "So is that half-breed of yourn,'' Lariat Jim said bluntly "One half breed is as good as another
 Cecelia lifted her wide eyes uncom- preh hending1y.
 "Ca1der's half Indian, all right" the unquenchabIe cowboy said con- temptuously.
 And I''-she exclaimed and would have gone on except that Hender placed his hand swiftly over her m outh. The rest of that smothered exclamation reached his ears alone. Hove him." went gurg1ing back down Cecelia's throat - She's crazy boys,' Henderson cried angrily. And it's your worki What do you suppose your devi1ish carvings on mean to her. Get out of here, the whole thudering lot of you! And you. And you!" he burst out more wrath fully, turning to Darrow.
 Were goin' t ride t Calder's ranch" Lariat Jim said reckIessly as he swung out of the doorway.
 And I ride, too,' Billy declared sava gely. And there'n be no hanging tonight"