davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
GIFT OF THE DESERT

must be right, for Kelleen had pointed
over there, and the direction he had
designated conceded exactly with
what the stars told. She could not go
far wrong if she kept that North
Star at her back-she would be going
south. A moment she paused, hesi-
tating to take the plunge, a prayer
on her lips. How lonely desolate,
black the night was; the very silence
seemed to hem her in, isolate her from
all the world. Then, with firm-set
lips, the girl went forward, plunging
her way through the sand, instantly
swallowed up in the black desert.
She plunged on recklessly, desper-
ately, hope dying within her as she
advanced. Nothing could guide her
now, or save her, but Gods mercy.
The soundless void through which she
moved, the impenetrable black curtain
enveloping her almost drove her mad.
She could not fight the depression or
keep her mind clear. The sand shifted
under her feet and twice she fell
heavily, tripped by some protruding
rock, and left bruised and breathless.
Her advance was blind, uncertain, and
she scarcely dared turn her face for
ward for fear of losing the guidance
of that one star by which she endeav-
ored to steer. She was lost utterly,
but for that, and, when for moment
her eyes strayed everything became
IF
gone. How long she toiled on. how
fast her rate of progress, the girl
never kneW-the way was uneven,
with unexpected depressions here and
there, and ridges of rock projecting
through the sand, and occasionally
mounds she had to go around. Once
she encountered a shallow ravine,
stepping off into it unconscfously, and
then crawling painfully up the oppo-
site side, cut by sharp splinters of
stone, before attaining the level again.
For the moment she lost her star but
finally located it once more, and
plunged desperately OH.
Then she saw something just ahead
of her-a dim, indefnable shadow,
which seemed to move. 1t was so
hideous, so grotesque and shapeless,
her very heart stood still with terror.
The girl sank to her knees, trembling,
with no eyes for anything except that
mysterious moving object. Misshapen,
huge, looming oddly through the
gloom, it was advancing steadily
toward her-a fOrmleSs something
which resembled neither man nor beast.
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07

her mind a chaos, haunted by every
memory of horror arising from those
swift-occurring events which had led
to this tragedy. Her forcible mar
riage to Bob Meager, the bitter hatred
his touch had aroused, his drunken,
lustful eyes, the blow she struck him,
with murder in her heart, the fleeing
like a hunted criminal, desperately
seeking escape. Then the coming Of
Kelleen into her life, strangely, mys-
teriously weaving about her a web
of fascination. even as they rode to-
gether through the darkness. She
had never entirely thrown that off, the
fident words-she felt she never
would. Even when she questioned him
the most, she still secretly believed !;
and now that he was actually dead
not so much as the flicker of a doubt
remained.
She saw again that dead man in the
cave; experienced the grip Of those
savage arms, and once more, in heed
less terror, fired down the black tun-
mel, and then struggled upward
through that awful hole into the light
of day Then all that followed, fol-
lowed so swiftly, was but a jumble
of events, yet each distinct, unforget
table, burned on her soul True! it
could not be true! 1t must be deli
rum, wild fiction of romance raging
in the brain of a half-mad dreamer.
Yet this was the desert-the desert I!
She lifted her eyes to look, gazing out
blindly over the dull gray expanse.
What was it over yonder? tree? a
ridge of uplifted rock? Not much,
surely, and yet everything in midst
of that solitude Her heart beat sud
denly with hope. Perhaps that
marked the end; perhaps that was
where the trail ran-the trail to Box
canyon. If so, God was good
The tired horse lifted his head, and
whinnied, breaking into a slow trot,
the sand crunching under his hoofs.
Deborah was wide awake now, alert
and ready. Yet it actually was tree,
and the tops of others began to show
beyond; their presence promised wa
ter, grass, life; that horrid desert left
behind. Yet it was a long, dreary
ride of an hour before they reached
there, coming to a shallow valley
through which trickled mere rill,
rock strewn and almost as desolate
as had been the desert itself, but with
here and there a patch of grass Wis
ible, and a few scattered, windracked
trees. It was a scene scarcely less
dreary than the upper plain, yet to
Deborah and her horse was most well
come.
CTO BE CONTINUED)
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07

light ohOt up in long stre3merE, touch
ing with more gaudy tinges the edges
of fieecy clouds, while in the other di-
rectiOn purple haze blended with the
deeper shadows along the horizon 1t
was the coming of the sun, rising ma
jestically above the far-off rim of the
desert, and she was still moving
southwark through the long night
hours she had kept the faith.
Yet there was little Of hope, Of en-
couragement, in the picture unrolled
before her. Her view gradually spread
out in wider and wider circle, but
with no relief to its drear sameness
or monotony. Sand, leagues upon
leagues of sand, stretched wherever
her wearied eyes turned, leveled by
the wind, or cast upward in rounded
hillocks, but ever gray, depressing, a
sea of desolation, dead, unmovable, ex-
tending to the far circle of the over
shadowing arch of sky. 1t was all
lifeless, not even sagebrush or Span
ish bayonet visible. Doubts assailed
her. Had she taken the right course2
Did Kelleen imply that Box canyon
lay directly south and had she been
led astray, and thus wandered blindy
out into the very heart of the desert?
Could she, could the horse live
through such day of torture as that
rising sun promised? Helpless, hope
less, the girl dropped down wearily in
the saddle, closing her eyes to the
desolation. They plodded on drearily
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
BaIata Rubber,

Owing to the constantly increasing
demand for india rubber, caused by
the use of tires for motor cars and 9TH
er vehicles, there is more or less a
rubber famine, even in normal times.
The method of gathering india rubber
in tropical countries has been exceed
inAy wasteful, because the easiest
way, that of cutting down the trees
had too frequently been adopted. The
search for substitutes has resulted i'll
making known the virtues OF South
American tree called the Balata.
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
CHAPTER XIII
The Border Patrol.

Deborah rose timidly to her feet,
her heart beginning to beat once more,
but not with fear. Forth from the
darkness came the low whinney of a
horse in sudden recognition, while as
instantly that horrid shadow took
both shape and form. 1t was horse,
saddled, bridled, the rein trailing
along the sand, one of the two animals
stampeded by the shot which had
killed Kelleen He had sensed her
coming in the desert night, and was
even then dumbly welcoming her. The
girl went forward slowly, doubtfully,
fearful of again startling the animal
shifting at her as she drew near, and
she finally put hand on the dangling
rein. 1t was the horse Kelleen had
ridden, and Deborah hid her face in
his name and cried softly, while he
turned and rubbed his muZzle against
her shoulder in silent greeting. 1t
seemed too good to be true as though
God had led her every step of the
way The sudden reaction left her
weak as a child.
Yet she must go on there was more
cause now than ever before to go on
more hope of success. She made the
effort twice before she succeeded in
dragging herself up into the saddle,
but the horse stood patiently, making
no attempt to break away. Once there
the girls strength came back, and
with it her determination. All was
still, deathly still; not breath of air
touched her cheek; the dense night
shut them in. Carefully she located
the only star she knew; to her mind
it seemed utterly wrong in it's posi-
ton, vet she was faithful to it. Half
afraid, yet not daring to venture other
wise she drew the horse about and
rode south.
The night seemed endless, the black
desert eternal. There were times
when the girl lost consciousness of ev-
erything, except that shining North
Sta. ever at her back. 1t was her one
guide and hope; through it she re-
taiDed sanity and faith. In that way
lay Box canyon and those waiting
troopers. She dare not ride fast,
knowing not what pitfalls were ahead,
the course irregular, up and down.
The horse picked his way intelligently,
the reins lying loose, except as she
occasionally held him inexorably to
the southwark. She swayed wearily
in the saddle, clinging to the high
rommel for support, unable to see,
yet aware that they crossed shallow
ravines, and found passage occasion
ally along ridges of outcropping rock,
and then advanced more easily for
long spaces over wide expanses of
sand, noiselessly as a specter. 1t was
hard to keep awake, to concentrate,
to remember-she had to struggle to
realize this was not all dream.
Then, after seemingly endless
hours, the dawn came. Would she
ever again forget it? She hardly
knew at first what it was. Riding
drearily with lowered head, she be-
came dimly aware of a change,
tightening of the gloom about, dull
grayness tingeing family the black
wall of the surrounding night. Almost
rs she wondered the daylight came,
wan and spectral at first, widening
her vista on a gray circle as the stars
slowly faded from out a multicolored
sky. TO the eft Frightening white
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07

yourself, Sanchez! This rock is clean
as billiard table, and there's no
place TO hide Where the HI do you
suppose those broncs went?'
1--WE find 'em when the day comes ;
they not go far in the desert, senior
Where the Kid fall-here?"
Deborah realized that the Mexican
had clambered onto the fiat top of the
rock, and was peering down over the
edge, while Meager remained on the
sand, impatiently moving about.
well. what do you seer he barked
finally.
Not one d-n thing, senOr; black
like HI down there-he no live after
that
Meager laughed chucklingly.
"Ill say he couldn't; not even if he
was cat. There amt no use oar
hanging round here. That guy is out
OF the way. and we'll pick him Ip an
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
Time to Call the Cops.

At party necklace a woman was
wearing was much admired. She took
it off to show it better and it was
passed from hand to hand. Later it
was not forthcoming.
"The joke has gone far enough" said
the host. Il will put this silver dish
upon the table, turn out the electric
light, count 100 and expect to find the
necklace on the dish when 1 turn up
the lights
When he turned up the light the
dish had also vanished
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07

Vegetable Compound myself. 1t has
given me quiet nerves so that sleep all
night, and better appetite. I have rec
commended it already to all my friends
and relatives. Mrs. ENGLEMANN, 2032
Palmetto st. ,Ridgewood, Brooklyn, NY.
For the woman suffering from nervous
troubles causing sleeplessness, head
ache, hysteria, "the blues" Lydia E.
Pinkham' g Vegetable Compound will be
found splendid medicine. For the
woman of middle age who is passing
through the trials of that period, it can
be depended upon to relieve the troubles
common at that time.
Remember, the Vegetable Compound
has record of nearly fifty years Of
service and thousands of women praise
its merit, as does Mrs. Englemann.
You should give it a fair trial now.
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
CHAPTER xII-continued.


"Tt must have been; the old Mexi-
can camp was south there in that can
yon where | told you the cavalrymen
were waiting tonight. | am beginning
to understand what is up-or, at least,
suspect what all this may mean.
Someone has accidentally stumbled
onto this old mine. / don't believe the
discOverer could be either Bob or Gar
rity. But in some way they got wind
of it and have taken possession. This
munitiOn train, supposed to be headed
for Mexico, stops here. CaSebeel
don't know what's up, and don't care
He gets his money just the same, with
less travelling and danger. Maybe he
asks no questions; maybe he knows
what's up and is in on the deal. Any
way, under orders, he dumps the stuff
powder. dynamite, whatever it is
and hustIes it out of sight into that
cabin. Before daylight comes his
mule train is back again on the des-
ert empty, travelling north
"And there is nothing you can do,
is there?" she asked. ut is no crime
TO discover and work mine?"
"NO--Only, perhaps, that dead man
you tell me about; murder is still a
crime, even on this border. There is
something about this affair which isn't
straight; otherwise Garrity and Bob
Meager wouldn't be in it. Those guys
are playing dirt somehow-it is up
to me to find out how"
KelTeen stood up, advancing to the
very edge of the fiat rock, where he
could look straight down into the deep
depression below.
There is no movement down there
Casebeer's outfit is not onto the
scheme; after they go that stuff will
all be carried into the tunnel. Meager
will never dare leave it out yonder."
Whats .he place called where the
soldiers a1-e?
"Box canyon-Why"
'T was wondering"
A sharp spit of fire leaped out of
the night beyond the horses. accom-
panied by dull report. The startled
animals whirled and disappeared in
the darkness, but Deborah saw only
Kelleen, poised there on the edge of
the cllasm-saw him fling up both
hands, clutching vainly at the air, and
then tOpple over. down into those
yawning depths below. She could not
even scream, but some irresistible in
stinct caused her instantly to roll
back from off the stone into the slight
depression at its base. In the black
darkness of this shallow hole she lay
mOtiOnless, scarcely veEturing to
breathe. In her fright and 6aze she
yet comprehenied all that had oc-
Cured: tile shot had come net from
beneath, but out of the Desert. Kel-
Ieen had been killed. the horses stam
peded; she was unhurt, but alone.
1t was all over so quickly the situa-
tion barely flashed through her brain,
before a voice spoke, voice familiar
and hated.
''By Cd, that got him! Did you
see how he toppled plumb over the
cliff? That settles his spying on US,
/ reckon"
"Si, senior; but I would swear there
was two of. them there"
"YOu saw two?"
mo; only the one standing against
the light, the Senior Kid know
him: but thought he spoke and
sure, senor, there were two horses"
"Of course. lie stole mine. | had
a shot at him then but there is no.
one else here D--n you. look for
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
In the Liaht of the Bible.

DR.. A. C. Dixon is quoted as having
said: 1--WE have been studying the
Bible in the light of modern scholar
ship. The time has come for US to
study modern scholarship in the light
of the Bible" Quite a correct obser-
vation Southern Methodist.
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
Iudne of Color Values.

"Why was Jim given the bounce"
Because he's color blind"
"Hows that?"
"Well, you see the new boss is very
red in the face and still jim told him
that he was too green to teach him
anything"
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
In ChristIs Society.

"Ten minutes spent in Christ's So
ciety every day, aye, two minutes, If
It be face to face and heart to heart,
will make the whole day different
Heidelberg Teacher.
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07

itching scalp and the dandruff is cor
rected Immediately. Thin, dry, wispy
or fading hair is quickly invigorated,
taking on new strength, color and
youthful beauty. "Danderine" is de-
lightful on the hair; refreshing,
stimulating tonic-not sticky or greasy
Any drug ore-Advertisement.
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
GIRLS! A GLEAMY MASS
OF BEAUTIFUL HAIR
35-cent "Danderine" So Improves Life
less, Neglected Hair.

An abundance
of luxuriant hair
full Of rglo S S,
CLEANS and life
shortly follows a
genuine toning up
Of n e g. l e C t e d
scalps with de-
pendable Dan
derine."
Falling h a ir,
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07

years ago, and am
taking it now for the
Change of Life and
other troubles and /
receive great benefit
from it. / am willing
to let you use my
letter as a testimo-
nial because tits the
truth. l found your
booklet in my letter
box and read it care
fully, and that is how
/ came to take the
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
Channinn Times.

Anyhow we never used to hear of
man being arrested for hugging his
girl when he had her out buggy rid
ing. Ask father; he knows.-Portland
Express and Advertiser.
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
A Standard for eo Years.

AS a laxative and blood purifier there
Is nothing better than Brandreth Pills.
In use throughout the world.-Adv.
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07

Scientists have been experimenting
with the use Of spider webs in NADIA
gascar as a silk substitute.
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
WOMEN OF
Middle AGE
Relieved Of Nervousness and Other
Distressing Ailments by Lydia E.
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound

Brooklyn, N. Y.-"I first took lydia
p. Pinkham's Vegetable Comnonnd fonr
The Winslow mail., 1923-12-07
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sllr4daySchool 3
' Lesson
By REV. P. B. FITZwATER, D. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago.)
re- 1923 Western Newspa per TInion.b
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 9
THE OUTREACH OF THE EARLY
CHURCH

LESSON TEXT-Acts S:4-S; 14-17; 25.
GOLDEN TEXT-"Ye shall be wit
nesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and
in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto
the uttermost part of the earth."-
Acts 18.
PRIMARY TOPIC-PhiIip Telling
About Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Gospel Spreads
to Samariac
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-The Gospel Spreads Through Per-
Secution.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Expanding Missionary Vision and
Activity.
Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-10-12
Governor Paroles Flake.

Thomas J. Flake Anson county
prisoner whose parole granted by
Governor Beckett was revoked by Gov
ernor Morrison year and half ago
was included in paroles granted to
three more prisoners by Governor
Morrison.
Flake was convicted in January,
1912, in Anson county for murder in
the second degree and was sentenced
to ten years on the county roads
After serving six years OF his ten
years sentence, he was paroled by
Governor Beckett.
Upon information which receiv-
ed in June, 1922, said Governor Nor
rison in his statement of reasons:
revoked the parole OF Governor Bick-
EFT because | was satisfied that the
paroled prisoner had been drinking
and manifesting at least dangerous
tendencies.
THE gentleman who made known
to me the breach of the parole now
axis that | adjudge the imprisonment
OF last year and three months of pa
role, and upon condition that the pris-
oner reside out of Anson county for
FIVE years that l parole him. The
board of county commissioners of the
county, and other officers of Anson
county. together with the men of the
community in which the offense was
committed, who stand for law and or
der, ask for the parole of the defend
ant.
II therefore parole the prisoner for
the remainder of his term upon con
dition that he shall reside elsewhere
other than in Anson county for per-
iod of five years, and that he shall
be of good behavior and respect the
law; reserving the right to revoke
this parole at any time l may think
the ends of justice require it, and
without evidence
Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-10-12

Follow the dictates of your con
science and you'll never land in Jail.
How foolish man feels when he
hears of a. baby being named after
him.
Many a man pulls down his charac-
ter in an effut to build up his repu-
tation.
Some one asks why babies cry. Per-
haps it's because they don't know
how to swear.
In ancient Egypt trained monkeys
were used to help gather the fruit
from trees.
Fifteen new diseases of field and
vegetable crops were reported in the
United States during 1922.
Statistics for the last yea" show that
3.263 people were killed in India by
wild animals.
Various low marine organisms can
not grow In synthetic sea water un-
less small quantity of natural sea
water is added.
Those who raise mulberry trees In
Italy for the silk industry expect this
years crop of leaves to exceed that
Of 1920, when a record of 225 tons
was attained.
Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-10-12
WORTH KNOWING

The public schools of Colombia will
be remodeled along the line of those
in the United States.
st. Bartholomew hospital in Lon
don recently celebrated its eight hun
dredth anniversary.
The larvae of eels are born in the
spring in the Atlantic at a depth of
1000 feet.
There are more than twice as many
motorcars and trucks in Hawaii as in
all China.
A smokeless fuel has been success
fully produced from coal in England.
The annual gas production in the
United States Is 100000, 100000 feet.
The eggs of the silkworm can with
stand, without injury, temperature
Of 3S degrees below zero.
1t has been estimated that in 1896
there will be total consumption of
$4,000 tons Of inorganic nitrogen in
this country.
The most sensitive part of the hu-
man body is the top Of the tongue. Next
come the lips and then the tips Of the
fingers.
Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-10-12
Precautions For Fire Prevention.

In connection with fire prevention
week in North Carolina October S-13.
the state department of insurance has
named four general fire precautions,
which. it is said. if followed, will pre-
vent the greater number of avoidable
fires, which last year caused a loss
estimated to be about 1891 $3.50
The precautions named follow:
Il. Industrial plants, mercantile
establishments and homes should be
thoroughly inspected to determine
whether dangerous conditions are per-
mitted to exist.
"2. General cleanliness should be
large contributing factor in reduc.
ing fire losses. Preventable fires sell
dom start in clean places.
"3. Many fires in homes would re-
suit in little or no damage if first aid
apparatus, such as extinguishers, were
kept handy and in readiness for SER
vice.
a. Every man, women and child,
should know the location of the fire.
alarm box nearest to their home,
place of business. or school and should
learn how to turn in an alarm"
Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-10-12
Seasons School Clothes:
Swagger Semi-Sports Coats

THE little girl who goes back to
school appropriately dressed, in be-
coming school clothes is spared any
heart burnngs because of her appear
ance One of childhood's tragedies Is
the belief that ones schoolmates are
better dressed or that ones own
clothes are unbecoming or ugly and
out of date. School coats and dresses
should be plain, of course, but they
should have style and certain degree
of individuality.
The coat and scarf set pictured here
shows warm, practical and attractive
Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-10-12
Port Commission to Meet on Oct. 10.

Port Commission to Meet on Oct. 10.
The North Carolina state ship and
water transportation commission will
meet in regular session here October
10 and IL, at which time it has been
announced by DR.. d. D. Carroll, secre-
tary of the commission, conference
relative to the development of some
port on North Carolinas seaboard
will be held by members of the COM
mission with Edwin j. Clapp, of New
York, regarded as an authority on
matters concerning ports. harbors and
water transportation, Mr.. Clapp has
supervised the making of surveys Of
the Charleston and Baltimore harbors
and many other ports. Members of
the North Carolina ship and water
transportation commission say he is
an expert in his field and a man
whose advice VIII be valuable to them.
The entire first day of the October
meeting of the commission has been
set aside for the conference with Mr..
Clapp.
Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-10-12
Tar Heel. Lead in Jap Relief.

North Carolinians led all southern
states in its contribution to the jap
anese relief fund, according to Joseph
c. Logan, manager OF the southern
division Of the Red Cross, who states
that of the nine million dollars raised
by the nation over 5000. 900 was raised
In the Southern division.
Alabama. $29.582.5s; Florida. $751;
153.4S; Georgia. 332.996.s1; Louisiana,
340,007. sc! Mississippi. $19.24625:
North Carolina, $44. 4.404.4S; South Car
olina. 327.534.04: Tennessee 81, 3,40S.1a.
Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-10-12

darker or livelier colors introduced 10
the plalds and stripes. Many Of the
longer coats have ample fur collars
Border decorations appear on the
shorter coats, as In the one showT
here. This Is a downy, white affair
of brushed wool, with black stripes!
for borders, Large and very hand
some buttons are featured in nearly al
semi-sports coats ard appear on thl.