The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-08-17


"To prevent ~any attempt ON your
part to ride away" he acknowledged,
slight coldness in his tone, "at least
until we understand each other better.
had up to this minute supposed you
were endeavoring to escape from that
fellow back yonder; now learn You
were running away from me also. Is
that the truth?"
She hesitated; then courage re-
turned.
L II fear you more even than do Bob
Meager," she answered honestly, land
despise you more
~"That is pleasant statement.
wonder If / really deserve 1t? You
think deserted you? left you unnec-
essarily? First listen to my explana-
tion-yes, you must; shall not let
you go until you do. viii you listen
to me?"
II know Of no way to avoid doing
so; but I prefer that you release my
horse"
His fingers relaxed their hold on
the rein. and he Strengthened up fac
ing her.
Il trust you." he said simply. "You
are better mounted than I, and armed,
but will not believe you look upon
me altogether as a villain. You had
confidence In me last night-did you
not?"
"Yes-last night. / was desperate,
afraid, and-and I accepted all you
told me-"
II am the same man now" he said
earnestly. II am Daniel Kelleen, just
as ready to prove my friendship now
as then. You do not believe that?"
"No, do not; cannot. Last night
accepted your assistance from ne
cessity. had to escape that ranch
before daylight, and you offered the
only chance. II did not know who you
were then-only-only in vague way.
rather accepted you as an American
cowboy, and-and you made me trust
you"
During our night ride, you mean?"
eyes, you told me little about
yourself; perhaps 1t was not true, but
| you made me think it was, and I
gained confidence in you in spite-in
| spite of your-your reputation"
Il see-the Frisco Kid business.
That wassa little off color, wasn't it?
If 1 remember right you got my his
tory principally from Pop Reynolds,
with all embellishments thrown in.
Yet, nevertheless, you managed to
like me? Is that it?'
II had to trust you then. l tried to
believe all you told me, and-and you
| were nice"
"Good enough; and then whatW
'It was not because you left me.
| thought 1 understood that; you were
| seeking to save me from discovery.
confident in you as when we were
alone together Sanchez was too
friendly, too willing to acknowledge
your leadership, and obey your Or
ders-and-and you knew too much
about what was going on here. You
Daniel Kelleen, which 1 now know to
be false"
| Keiieen made no movement, and for
the moment no answer.
"You have lied to me, haven't you"
II prefer learning first why you
reach this conclusion" he replied
calmly Does it come from my con-
versation with Juan Sanchez
'It began there. I could scarcely
help suspecting you after listening to
what you had to say to that Mexican
outlaw. You are out here not so much
in my protection, but as the repre-
sentative of Bob Meager. l am merely
your plaything en- route"
"You are indeed complimentary.
Did serve Meager, you think, by run
ming off with his wife?"
There is no law or decency on this
border where any woman is con-
cerned," she burst out bitterly II have
at least learned that. do not know
your real object; only that you are
one of this disreputable gang; that
you come here to serve it's purposes;
that / was therefore only an Incl
dent-to be lied to. and laughed at"
/ "You reached this conclusion from
what you overheard Of the talk be-
tween Sanchez and myself? OF course
I knew you were there"
Exactly, and did not even care.
Your very insolence was an insult.
You believed me then entirely in your
power You could sit calmly there
on your horse, laugh and sheer, and
dare do nothing to protect myself.
Then you rode off, and left me-your
last glance one of insolent triumph.
1t was then I fully realized that was
only your victim. was afraid Of you,
and l hated you then"
His voice was very low, very quiet.
"You lost all faith? You attempted
to run away. and hide from me before
/ could return?'
81 attempted to get away-yes. l
could not remain there; 1t would even
be better to die on the desert. But
| v 7 ho6 lAo