The Holly chieftain., 1923-11-29

pii Iihc hNuyt b' h'hiIpN i'ISth,
n slight coldness In his tone. at least
until we understand each other better.
l had up to this minute supposed you
were endeavor!ng to escape from that
fellow back yonder; now l learn you
were running away from me also. Is
that the truthi"
She hesltated; then courage re-
turned.
II fear you more even than do Bo,,
Meager." she answered honestly. "und
desplse you more"
"Thnt is q pleasant statement. I
wonder II I really deserve It? You
think deserted you? left you unnec-
essarily? First listen to my explana-
tion-yes, you must; shall not let
you 90 until you do. Will you listen
to me;"
Il know OF no way to nvoid doing
so; but l prefer that you relcase my
horse"
His fingers relaxed their hold on
the rein, and he Strengthened I'd fac
Ing her.
II trust you." he aaid simply. you
are better mounted than !. and armed.
but I will not believe you look upon
me altogether as villain. You had
confidence In me last night-did you
not 2"
"Yes-last night. 1 was desperate
afraid. and--and accepted all you
told me-"
II am the same man now," he said
earnestly. II nm Daniel Kelleen. just
rs ready to prove my friendship now
as then. You do not believe that?"
mo. I do not; cannot. Last night
I accepted your assistance from ne
cessity. I had to escape that ranch
before daylight. and you offered the
only chance. IL did not know who you
were then--only-onlyi In vague way.
[ rather acceIhed you us an American
cowboy. and-und you made me trust
you"
During our night ride, you mean ~
"Yes. you told ne little about
yourself; perhaps 1t was not true. but
you made me think 1t wns, and I
gained confidence in you in splte-ln
spite Of your-your reputation"
Il see-the Frisco Kid business.
That was little off color, wasn't It?
II remember right yon got my his
tory principally from Pop Reynolds,
| with all embellishments thrown in.
Yet, nevertheless, you managed to
like me? Is that itT'
II had to trust you then tried to
believe all you told me. and-and you
were nice"
Good enough: and then what?"
1T was not because you left me !
thought understood that; you were
seeking to save me from discovery.
Yet even then I was not sure, not us
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
told me very interesting story. Mr.
Daniel Kelleen. which l now know to
| be false"
Kelleen made no movement. and for
| the moment no answer
You have lied to me. haven't youT p
II prefer learning first why YOU
reach this conclusion" he replied
calmly. "Does 1t come from my con
versation with Juan Sanchez"
"It began there. could scarcely
help suspecting you after listening 10
what you had to say 10 that Mexican
outlaw. You nre out here not so much
In my protection. but as the repre-
sentative of Bob Meager. am merely
your plaything en- route"
You are indeed complimentary
Did serve Meager, you think, by run
ming of with his wife?"
"There Is no law or decency on this
border where any woman Is con,
| cerned." she burst out bitterly. ~ have
at least learned that. do not know
your real object: only that you nre
| one OF this dlsrcputable gang: that
you come here to serve its purposes
that was therefore only an Incl
dcnt-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
| 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 sncer, and I
dare do nothing to protect myself.
Then you rode Off. and left me-your
last glance one of insnlent triumph.
1t was then fully realized that l was
only your victim. ! was afraid OF you.
and hated you then"
His voice wns very low. very quiet.
You lost all faith? You attempted
to run away. and hide from me before
l could return?"
II attempted TO get away-yes.
could not remain there: II would even
he better to die on the desert. But
hut ! am not wholly sure ! had lost
all faith. Nothing was quite clear.