The Holly chieftain., 1923-10-18

A DIT reckless now, because OF this
knowledge. the girl ventured through
the great open door of the stable. and
began cropping her way forward
searching the stalls. The first was
empty. and. as she started to advance
toward the second. she came to sud-
den pause, with heart leaping into her
throat-there had been a sound at her
left. . rustling Of straw. % though
something had made q quick move
ment. She listened intently. drawing
q breath of relief at the succeeding
silence. No coubt 1t was horse stir
ring. or possibly 4 rat Then a voice
spoke sternly not three feet away.
"Put up your hands! Who are your
What are you doing In here"
She obeyed instinctively, too fright
ened to even speak. dropping the bag
to the floor. forgetting completely the
revolver buckled about her waist.
| A hand reached forward out of the
darkness and gripped her upraised
| arm; she was conscious of the close
| presence Of man, yet for the instant
retained no power Of movement.
"Why don't you speakr said the
same voice, impatiently, evidently an
gered at her silence. "What are you
sneaking about in here for? Well, I'll
be d-d!" his tone changing. "if I
don't believe it's woman"
ut is woman" she managed to-
reply falteringly. "But-but does that
make any difference7"
He laughed, certain relief evi-
| denced in the sound. although ha did
not in any way relax his vigilance.
"Well. confess 1t might" he ad-
mitted, "for you are most unusual
discovery in this section. I was look.
ing for almost anything else. You be-
long with this OUTFIT"
ITO the Meager ranch, you mean1
Yes--that is,, have been employed
here. You-you are not q Mexican,
are your
II should say not. belong north
of the line. II that's any relief to you.
And what's more. II you want to be
square with me. I'll play fair on my
side. You believe thatY
II shall have to; 1t wouldn't do me
any good to lie"
II reckon not; so let's get 1t over
with; who are your"
Deborah Meredith" she explained
rather eagerly. IL am a profess
sional nurse; my home Is in Chicago.
Tom Meager employed me to come out
here and take care Of his wife. Are
you friend Of Bob Meager's7
The man chuckled, and she knew
he had put away the weapon he had
held In his hand.
"Well, he's got an idea that am.
We've run about together a bit, ad-
nit; which confession maybe is no. rec.
ommendation to you"
1 "No, 1t Is not"
II thought likely It wouldn't be. So
you and Bob are not good friendsr
II desplse and hate him; he is q
drunken brute"
"Granted freely; but II you feel that
way. why did you remain here on the
ranch?'
Because have had no chance to
get away since his father died. I
could not desert my patient, and be
sides. had no reason to suppose Bob
would come back and take possession.
He was fugitive from justice; his
father had lost all faith in him, and
and / had reason to believe he had
been shut out from all right to this
property"
"You had reason to believe? What
reason? am not asking merely from
curiosity: want to understand the
Iientile situation. already have an
idea what this means; you are en-
eeavorlng to escape alone?"
TT seemed my only chance" she
confessed. "But am talking with a
stranger; perhaps I trust you too
much. You are not employed hereT
.'No; just blew In last night"
"What is your nameT
"Daniel Kelleen."
1 "You are not cow-puncher sureiy1
You-you have education"
h He laughed good-humoredly.
Nevertheless. I am quite accus
toned to cow-punching. Perhaps I've
had trine more schooling than some
of the boys. Now let me have the
straight of this affair. and then we'll
get busy. Tell 1t to me from the first"
Deborah stared at the mans dim
outline through the darkness II she
could only see the expression of his
face And there was no choice left
her-she must trust him blindly. alb
solutely; he could defend or betray her
at his own WILL So clear was this
situation she scarcely hesitated.