The Holly chieftain., 1923-09-27

THIS, Dut Tor nef own personal 0uSpl-
cion. Old Tom Meager would never
employ a Mexican on the place. nor
trust them: but now. one by one, the
old hands disappeared. while swarthy-
skinned riders appeared mysteriousIy
to take their places. Within six
days the transformation was practi-
cally complete, and Bob Meager was
surrounded by those Of his own kind.
Creatures Of his will. denizens of that
world he knew best. This change was,
to Deborah's mind, ominous of evil;
1t increased her fear, and rendered
more difficult any possibility of escape.
The walls closed her more tightly In.
What did this man plan to do with
her? The question could not be an
swered; she could only wait fearfully
for his actions to make reply. Yet 1t
must be evil: she could conceive
nothing else In Bob Meager's heart.
Her thought was not with the wild
desert scene outstretched before her,
or the beauty of that red sunset be-
hind those far-off peaks. She was not
even conscious of her more immediate
surroundings, remaining totally obllv-
ious to the solitary horseman, ap-
preaching along the barely discernible
trail skirting the edge Of the mesa.
The horse was moving slowly, with
wearily dropping head, and on the
hard-beaten sand the hoofs made no
noise sufficient to disturb her 1t was
on the farther edge of the chaparral
that the horseman suddenly perceived
the girl. her white skirt showing con-
spicuous in the purple light. and
quickly held up his pony. She had
evidently neither seen nor heard his
approach. and he swung silently over
the animals head, before advancing
toward her on foot. 1t was not until
he had reached within a very few
yards Of her position that Deborah
became aware of some presence near,
and arose instantly to her feet, facing
him In sudden alarm. It was too late
then to fee; the man blocked the only
path available.
frightened you. didn't II" he asked
carelessly, ffipping q weed with his
qulrt, but with searching eyes on her
face. You must have been In some
daydream. I'll say"
I'll was thinking" she answered,
q little catch In the voice. but as In.
stantly determining to tell the truth,
and thus learn. If possible. his pur.
pose, "of what you intend to do with
me. IL cannot continue to bear
things as they are"
"Why. they are not so bad. are
they" he asked provokingly. but
making no effort to advance. "This IL
the same ranch to which you came
voluntarily; have not cut down your
wages. and the food, and all that, IL
just as good. Do you mean you don't
like It here any longer7"
Il certainly do not under the cir.
cumstances. I am no longer here Of
my own free WILL"
"Oh, is that lit Well. perhaps We
can remedy that trouble. Sit down
there again while we talk 1t over"
II prefer to stand"
"All right then, only 1t amt going
to do you no good to be of1ish about
II. I'll tell you that at the start. You
ought to know by this time that I
ain't the playing sort. Found any way
to leave yet? reckon not, or you
wouldn't be here. Well, that lesson
ought to mean something to you. I've
left you alone for three days now. just
to let 1t sink in."
THAT could not escape from here
without asslstance?"
Sure; there amt no way for
woman-a tenderfoot-to get across
that desert without help Of some kind,
and horse. reckon you are smart
enough to know that It was mostly
on your account sent them old
puhchers away, an got lot o. Mex
in to ride herd, an do whatever odd
Jobs were needed. There aIn't no.
body round who cares a whoop in HI
what happens. You better let that
soak In, too, first Of all. Then 1t will
be easier for US to come to an under.
standing"
IAN understandings she asked In
surprise. "You desire to explain. thep3
Act AkSt yOu SuEeAlcA WtI
He laughed.
"Threaten. hi! l don't have to
threaten; I'm holding all the cards"
He took step forward. and. as the
girl drew slightly back from his ap.
proach. his face quickly darkened
with anger. "You don't want me to
touch you, hey7 or come near you1
All right, I'll walt, but Just the same
you'll do Just what tell you to. Sit
down there on that log. You hear mel
Sit DOWN."
She took the place designated. real
izing the utter uselessness Of refusal,
while he remained standing, with one
foot insolently planted on the log be-
side her.