The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-08-23

| knowledge. the girl yentured throug
the great open door Of the stable. an
began cropping her way forwar'
searching the stalls. The first wa
empty, and, as she started to adyanc
toward the second, she came to a sud
den pause, with heart Ieaplng into he
throat-there had been a sound at he
left. a rustling OF straw. as though
something had made a quick move
ment. She listened intently, DRAWN!
a breath Of relief at the succeeding
silence. No Goubt II was a horse stir
ring, or possibly a rat. Then a vote,
spoke sternly not three feet away.
put up your handsl Who are you
What are you doing In hereT"
She obeyed lnstinctively. too fright
ened TO even speak. dropping the bag
to the floor, forgetting completely the
revolver buckled about her waist.
A hand reached forward cut of the
darkness and gripped her appraised
arm: she was conscious Of the close
presence Of a man, yet for the instant
retained no power Of movement.
"Why don't you speak?" said the
same voice, impatiently, evidently an
gered at her silence. "What are you
sneaking about in here for? Well, I'll
be DID," his tone changing, "ff I
don't believe it's a woman"
ut is a woman" she managed to
reply falteringly. "But-but does that
make any ~difference?"
He laughed. a certain relief evil
denced in the sound, although he did
not in any way relax his vigilance.
well. | confess it might" he adj
mitted, "for you are a most unusual
discovery in this section. l was look
ing for almost anything else. You be-
long with this OUTFIT"
"To the Meager ranch, you mean?
Yes-that Is, / have been employed
here. You-you are not a Mexican,
are your"
Il should say not. I belong north
of the line, If flats any relief to you.
And what's more, If you want to be
49, "ANH LhVp II pay ldlI jill lily
side. You believe that?"
Il shall have to; 1t wouldn't do me
any good to lie."
Il reckon not so let's get II over
with who are your"
Deborah Meredith" she explained,
eagerly. II am a profess
SIGNAL nurse; my home Is In Chicago.
Tom Meager employed me to come out
here and take care Of his wife. Are
you a friend of Bob Meager's?
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 I am.
We've run about together a bit, I adj
NIT which confession maybe Is no rec.
'mmendatiOn to you"
"No. II is not"
II thought likely II wouldn't be-. So
and Bob are o good friends?"
Il despise and hate him; he Is a
brute"
Granted freely; but II you feel that
way. why did you remain here on the
anch?'
Because I have had no chance 70
ret away since his father died.
not desert my patient, n be-
ides. had no reason to suppose Bob
would come back and take possession.
was a fugitive from Justice: his
ather had lost all faith In him, and
nd had reason to believe he had
cen shut out from all right to this
roperty."
You had reason to believe? What
am not asking merely from
uriosity; l want to understand the
ntire situation. I already have an
what this means; you are en-
eavoring to escape alone?"
1T seemed my only chance" h
Onfessed. "But I am talking with a
tranger; perhaps / trust you too
luch. You are not employed here?'
No; I just blew in last night"
what Is your manner"
Daniel Kelleen."
You are not a cow-puncher surely1
ou-you have education"
He laughed spontaneously.
Nevertheless. am quite accus-
med to cow-punching. Perhaps I'VE
nd a trifie more schooling than some
! the boys. Now let me have the
.raight OF this affair, and then wen
busy. Tell 1t to me from the first"
Deborah stared at the mans dim
ltline through the darkness. III she
'uld only e the expression Of his
ice. And there vas no choice left
must trust him blindIy. abb
'luteiy he could defend or betray her
his WI will. SO clear was this
tuation she scarcely hesitated.