The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-10-11

go on" he said soberly, as she
stopped breathless. Lets have this
out there Is no better time"
IT knew until morning: until
finally recognized you. Then you
told me that ~story-told IT so I almost
believed 1t true, almost trusted you.
Really ! had to believe. or pretend to
believe, for I was there alone with
you, helpless to protect myself, I'M
able to escape. I was lost in the des-
ert. Then you talked with that Mex
lean cu%tthroat, where I could hear ell
you said. He accepted you as one Of
the gang, and even obeyed your orders.
He believed Bob Meager had scnt you
out here. You were certainly lying TO
someone, and naturally I supposed II
must be me. There was every reason
why you should lie to me. When you
rode away together | was sure you
would soon be hack alone, and / de-
termlned you should never find me
there. | made my choice--it was the
desert and death rather than you. You
understand what l mean, Daniel Kel-
leen?'
Eyes, I understand" quietly. go
on, let's have II ALL"
"Then up above, in that little gully.
! ran onto you again; IL makes no
difference how / happened to be there.
Ii was hours later: | had some time
in which to think, and began to Won
dor ~ INV decision hod baop RIGHT
Then, In the gathering dark, l crept
through that patch of ~sagebrush and
found you in private conference win
Bob Meager. -4su were surely not
playing a part then, fer you had no
knowledge you were being overheard
After tFfat. how couid | still retain
faith in yun or trust myself with your
Kelleen aid nor answer directly, his
gaze leaving her face And turning IN
quiripgly to the strange scene re,
vealed below. He stared at this a no.
meht in. moody silence. Then he
swung down from the saddle, dropped
the rein over the horses head, and
stood beside her.
81 am going to tell you," he said
calmly, IF you consent to listen. win
you trust me enough to dismount?"
There was something about the
man, his quiet confidence, his low,
even voice, his entire personality,
which Deborah found Impossible to
resist. Hesitating an instant, ven
shrinking back from any personal con-
tact, her lips refusing a direct answer,
she yet permitted, his hand to close
firmly over her own and draw her
down from the security of the saddle
to the common level of the desert
sand. Without a word of urging or
explanation. Kelleen led her forward
to the very edge OF ,the cliff, where
an exposed rock, swept bare by the
wind, gave them q seat. Directly be-
meath lay the narrow valley, dimly
lighted by that single fire, about which
black dots constantly moved, too far
away to be clearly visible. 1t was like
a scene thrown upon a screen. KEEL
leen dropped down beside her. peerlng
first over into the depths, the flicker
Of the distant fame barely Illuminating
his face. She could not help but mark
It's strong outline.
you really do not understand what
Is being done down there?' she asked
last, as he held silent.
II do not" He glanced aside al
her. the trace Of a smile on his lips
'There Is something going on here
quite beyond me. / had supposed this
vas a plain case of smuggling war
over the line into Mexico.
But It isn't. Caseheer's outfit must
come in through that lower pass
yonder-beyond the clump of trees"
his hand, land the only feas-
lille way to the border Hes up the OPP
posite ravine, directly behind the
All they would require here Is
water for the stock and a guide. That
was to be Sanchez job. He was TO
assure them that the way ahead was
open, unguarded, and lead them over
the safe trail. They need all the rest
of the night TO make 1t In"
"But-but they are unloa cling the
mules"
'''That Is exactly what they are do
ing-all of them; and taking the stuff
back into the cabin. They are not
going on at all they are going back
unloaded. Now, what does~H mean?
Why did Sanchez lie to me about 1t?
and Bob Meagerf'
Deborah sat up straight.
why shouldn't they lie to your
she asked quickly, IF you are really
what you pretend to be to meY'
because they have no suspicion
they con have non Not a thing has
occurred to arouse such doubt. The
game las been played too carefully.
It's not that. Meager has not the
faintest suspicion as yet that I am not
5ne OF his kind. The fellow. together
with Clarity. Is pulling of something
here put of the ordinary, which they
want 20 keep me out of-that's ALL"
He stopped suddenly; then turned,
and placed his hand firmly on her own
where IL rested on the rock surface,
his voice changing.
Miss Deborah. there Is no masque-
rade between us I do not know why
l talked to you as freely rs I did last
night. l must have liked you very
much. and trusted xoa. Anyhow i
4. 49,. MA-a -