The Snowflake herald., 1923-04-20
OF frayel Fhougb now Aezerted.


There's the lights of Caroca blinkin'
away to the left. Too bad we missed
the train Sleepy?'
"Some," she admitted.
"Me, too" He'd Sandy companion.
ably.
Coming down from the mesa he had
talked with her ab5It Barbara Red
ding, how welcome she would make
Molly and what she would do for her
Molly had listened silently.
They entered the little town, once
a cattle station, now renamed In mu-
steal Spanish, Caroca-A Caress-a
spot where fruits were grown and
flowers bloomed the year round wher
ever the water caressed the earth
Sandy rode the mare into the livery
where the last skirmish between hoOf
and rim, iron and rubber tire, was
being fought. and called for Chuck
Goodwin.
A stout man came out, not so heavy
not so big as Mormon, but sheathed
in flesh with the armor Of ease and
good living. He peered up at Sandy,
then let out shout.
"you long-legged. ornery, freckle
faced. gun-packin' galoot, Sandy
Bourke! Light off n that cayuse
you an yore lady friend. Where In
time did you-all drop from?"
"Come across the mesa. Like to
git washed across through Paso
Cabras," said Sandy. Miss Casey.
let me make you 'quainted with Chuck
Goodwin, one time the best hawss-
shoer in the seven Cactus states, now
sellin' oil an gasoline fancy prices.
not to mention machines fo' which he
is agent"
Got a few oats left fo' yore
hawsses, Sandy Miss, won't you
come inside the office? Where you
bound SandyY'
"We was amin to catch the seven
o'clock train east, maxim 70 New
Mexico an the Redding ranch, where
Miss Casey is to visit fo a spell. but
we found the trail bad an cloud
bust finally set us back so we quit
you got machine you c'ud rent US.
with driverY"
"You can have anything / got in the
place with laigs or wheels, an wei
come. Coin to the old Redding
ranch? Give my howdedo to Miss
Barbara, or Mrs. Barbara as she is
now. But" He looked at the wall
clock. Its a quarter of ten. Yore
trains been altered to suit main line
schedules. She don't come through
till nine-thirty an she's gen'ally late
maxim the grade. I amt heard her
whistle yet Hop in my car an we'l
jest about make her. She don't do
much more'n hesitate at Caroca when
she's behind time"
He hurried them out on the street
to where car stoed by the curb
Molly and her few belongings got in
behind. Sandy mounted with Goodwin
you'll take good care of the
hawsses. Chuck?" he said ''Pfi prob
ably be back for 'em myself In three
fO' days."
"Seguro." Goodwin stepped on his
starter and the flywheel whirred to
sputtering explosions. Another car
came limping down the street. fiat on
both rims of one side, It's paint plas-
tered with mud. one light out. the
other dimmed with mire. The driver
called to Goodwin
(which way to the depot?'
Goodwin. his hand on the lever
hear Sandy kissing out:
Don't tell 'em. Scoot ahead full
speed" Then, over his shoulder to
the girl. Crouch down there, Molly"
Goodwin was still a man of action
and he knew Sandy Bourke of old
Out came the pedal. the gears engaged
and the car shot ahead, beneath a
swinging arc light Sandy's hat-rim
did not sufficiently shade his face or
Molly's action had not been swift
enough. There came yell and
string Of curses from the crippled car.
which backed and turned and fol
lowed, its torn treads Tapping,
Goodwin asked no questions of
Sandy. If the latter wanted ever To
'ell him why he required a quick exit
out of Caroca, or why he was fol-
lowed. he could If not never mind.
He slid his gears into high and lodged
around corners recklessly. A red Ian
tern showed ahead in the middle OF
the road. They crashed through
light obstruction Of boards and tres
ties. overturning the lantern, and
piowed on over rough stones.
I'm mayor" said Goodwin with a
grin. "Breakin' my own rules but |
figger that broken stone'll bother em
some. Wen chance It,"
They lunged through. regardless of
tires, and, behind them, the pursuing
car ratified, lurched. skidded A tire
blew out and as Goodwin swung
corner with two wheels In the air the