The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-07-12


this. bat for her own personal suspl-
cion. old Tom Meager would never
employ a Mexican on ,he place. nor
trust them; but now. one BY one. the
old hands disappeared. while swarthy-
skinned riders appeared mysterIousiy
10 take their places Within SIX
days the transformation was practi-
cally complete. and Bob Meager was
surrounded by those OF his own kind.
Creatures Of his viii. denizens % that
world he knew best. This change was.
20 Deborah's mind. omlnous Of evil:
II increased her fear. and rendered
more difficult any possibility OF escape.
The walls closed her more tightly In.
What did this man plan TO do with
herr The question could not be an
swered; she could only walt fearfuIly
for his actions to make reply. Yet IL
must be evil; she could conceive
nothing else In Bob Meager's heart.
Her thought was not with the wild
desert scene outstretched before her.
or the beauty OF that red sunset be-
hind those far-ofr peaks She was not
even conscious OF her more Immediate
surroundings. remaining totally oblly-
Ious TO the solitary horseman. APP
preaching along the barely dlscernibls
trail sklrting the edge Of the mesa.
The horse was moving slowly. with
YEARLY dropping head. and on the
hard-beaten sand the hoofs made no
noise sufficient 10 disturb her. II was
on the farther edge Of the chaparral
that the horseman suddenly perceived
the girl. her white skirt showing con-
spicuous In the purple light. and
quickly held up his pony. She had
evidently neither seen nor heard his
approach. and he swung silently over
the animals head. before advancing
toward her on foot II was not until
he had reached within a very few
yards Of her position that Deborah
became aware OF some presence near.
and arose instantly 20 her feet. facing
him In sudden alarm. IL was too late
then to fee the man blocked the only
path available.
Frightened you. didn't ~ he asked
carelessiy. dipping weed with his
quirt, but with searching eyes on her
face you must have been In some
daydream. I'll say"
IL was thinking she answered.
a little catch In the voice. but as In
stantly determining 10 tell the truth,
and thus learn, II possible. his pur-
pose. 'of what you intend 20 do with
me. IL cannot continue to bear
things as they are"
why, they are not 80 bad, are
theyr" he asked provokingIy. but
making no effort 10 advance. This Is
the same ranch 20 which you came
voluntarily: have not cut down your
wages. and the food. and all that. is
just as good. DO you mean you don't
like Il here any longerf"
Il certainly do not under the cir
cumstances am no longer here Of
my own free WILL
"Oh. Is that III Wei. perhaps We
can remedy that trouble. SIT down
there again while We talk Il over
Il prefer TO stand"
"All right then. only II amt going
10 do you no good 20 be oiiish about
a. III tell sou that az the start. You
OUGHT 20 know By this time that
amt tie playing sort. Found any way
10 leave YETI reckon not. VI you
wouldn't be here. Well. that lesson
ought 10 mean something % you. I've
left you alone FOR three days now, Just
H. JET Il sink in"
THAT could not escape from here
without afdtfancef~
"Sure; there amt no way for
roman-a tenderfooi--fo get across
hat desert without help ~ some Kind.
and horse reckon you are mart
.nough % know that II was MOSTLY
ln your account I sent Il .ns old
iunchers away. an got a lot O. Mex
n 10 ride herd an DO whatever odd
obs were needed. There ain't no
'ody round who cares a whoop Ia hi
What happens. You better lei that
oak IN. too. first " all Then Il viii
q easier for us 10 coule 10 an under-
-An understanding abe asked In
urprise You desire 70 explain. thenl
e first you threaten mef'
he laughed.
Threaten. h-i' I don't have 10
hreaten; I'm holding sll the cards.
IL took q step forward. and, As tic
lri drew slightly back from bis ap-
roach. his face quickly darkened
ifh snger You don't want me 10
'uch you. heyf or come near your
y right m wait. but Jost the same
pun do Just what ! tell y-s 10. SIT
Dun there on that los. You hear mel
Il down.
She took the place designated. real
INK the utter nselessDexs q refusal,
bile be remained standing. With one
~ insoieniiy planted on the los be-
De her.
-.