Evening star., 1923-02-18
BY
BY '
WILL LEXINGTON
COMFORT.

but evening was deep in the valley.
and dam upon the slope where they
camped. Billings now heart the
tribute of one BAG BOY for another.
You saw Dave keep his foot in the
day-coach. Why. that kid couldn't
die, unless he let go himself He
wasn't at to go to Caliente any more
than I was. Only he's game. That
kids SO game, ranger. he freezes you.
and he's just as square as he is
gamer
Dryden was shirering in the might
cold. Billings brought his saddle
blanket and put it over the little mar.
your blood's all whitened out. mis-
ter" he said gently. Il can't start d,
fire with your pal coming in. 1t would
draw his shot from the brush. I've
| been feeling need for the last houl
or two to keep out of range from be
! low"
Dryden's hopeless eyes stared down
toward the spring.
Dave told me it was only twelve
| miles over to Caliente and back" he
muttered.
Billings heard a faint crackle down
by the. spring. evidently before the
sound reached the others ears.
Dryden" he said. bending over the
other in the dusk, "Iil have to ask
you not to make any noise, not 80
make any answer-if we should hap
| pen to hear your partner down by the
spring" .-'.
What would you do if ala - Dry
den said, a little breathlessIy.
The ranger drew gun.
The other laughed with scorn. "Any-
/ body would think was afraid to be-
put out Of my misery" he said, push
ing himself softly UP from the ground
He was looking into the rangers
face-a queer, leisurely SCRUTINY
Suddenly his mouth opened and the
yell was out:
Back. observation-disclosures"
Billings laughed softly. You did
hear him, then, a minute ago. You've
sure got a poker face. young fellow.
What are you so busy with
under your blanket"
He bent forward with a swift move
ment and caught Dryden's hand. A
rock was in 1t the size Of a ducks
egg.
Uncomfortable lying on, was it?2
Billings asked. He saw a faint grin
on the others face in. the dusk.
Worked it loose under the blan
ket: Poor little tool-meant to mash
my head in. But I don't blame you.
Roger"
The other seemed scarcely 10 hear.
every reused faculty intensely con-
centrated down slope toward the
spring.
Your pals making little circle to
the left. trying to locate where you
are" the ranger went on. Tell him
to come up here and have his sup
per"
The face that looked up at him now
from the blanket was harder than
anything Billings had seen that day
the face of man who didn't fear
death, but both hated and feared the
double-cross.,
That's what I said Billings re
peated. I'D have managed different
IL hadn't expected you to signal
when you heard your pal below. Call
to him again who's here. and We'll
cook up a little banquet for three.
I've been trying to make myself be-
lieve I was in the deputy sheriff
business, but it won't work-not after
dwelling with YOU all day.
Dryden showed his face up still
closer to the rangers. 1t was luinir-
ously gray, sick, frightened, grim
with torturing hope.
Honest to God:" he said hoarsely.
"Just that" said Billings, and add
ed: Tell him I'll go. down TO help
him up here with his packs If he
| likes"
It wasn't exactly a merry party.
The ranger had to watch that the
| two didn't shock themselves to death
from nourishment.- Dawes mind was
inclined to ramble little over his
coffee cup. The two had lived fiYe
weeks on less than ten days ratiors,
hiding in the rocks on this slope,
never far from the silent spring.
Dave Ilcomb had been able TO elude
his pursuers UP to this time because
he was familiar with every notch and
, groove Of the vicinity.
X = 4 x
THE next afternoon Billings arose.
J. reached for his saddle and walk
ed out where his horse was tethered
| When the saddle was on and tho
duffel packed, he halted a minute
fireplace where the two sat up wait
ing for him. The rangers hand
| moved up to his face and his eyes
grew mournful. He wasn't pleased
with himself and no nearer than be-
| fore to writing that letter to the girl
| in Iowa. He had mans idea that
he had to do lot for that gil that a
man working on government pay
couldn't do-to make up for the way
he looked.
1--WE just got time TO ride over to
| the station before dark" he said. "I
| may be back this way in ten. days or
two weeks-just- for a call. You'll be
here. doubtless
'Yes, ranger" said Dave. "At least
that long. It's safer right here by
the spring than anywhere else. It's
so safe here in this ravine that shes
kept a secret for forty years"
! The ranger turned to him queerly.
| Both Dave and Roger laughed.
| why. ranger" Dave went OIL.
"You couldn't turn trick like you've
turned for US and get away with just
! a thanks and come again. We're goin'
! over into Mexico a little later. where
they'll let us alone, and Wen have
a chance to grow up and not be
stunted by hiding in cramped places.
| Roger and ran onto the secret here
| at the spring. We've been starvin' to
death all these days on Treasure
Island. Yes, Mr.. Billings. be
calm. We've found old McConache's
| lode, and she's richer than anybody
! ever said she was. It's no good to
| us-not for years, anyway until
1 Drinkwater and, his crowd forget.