The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-08-23

sound OF horses h0Ofs gave evidence
that they passed along a narrow ridgs
Of rock. Suddenly KeIleen came 10 q
pause. leaning forward in the saddle
10 see more clearly.
You have no memory OF how
things are hereT' he asked
NO; only that the springs are over
10 the left yonder."
Then listen; there Is an outer
| opening Of rock which sweryes here
to the right. and runs almost directly
east for two hundred yards. Follow
that carefully; 90 just as far as pos
sfble, and then wait there for me.
There Is no danger. so you keep close
10 the rocks. Keep 10 the center so
the horse will leave no imprint"
And what are you going to dor"
ride straight ahead down the trail !;
then circle back through a gully. and
meet you out yonder. Don't be afraid !;
just walt. I'll come. although II may
require half an hour or more for me
10 make the trip safely; I've got to
cover every trace after I once strike
out into the desert"
She watched him ride away vanish
ing quickly into the gloom, his horses
hoofs making no sound IN the soft
sand. Instantly she began urging her
own mount along the narrow rock
ridge, watchful that he did not stray
from the narrow path OF rock. Where
this very plainly ended she drew the
animal TO halt and sat upright in the
saddle staring wonderingiy about into
the silent desolati0n. Her mind trsv-
eled back over all that had happened
that night. She had no time before
for thought; she had been continu-
ously forced onward by circumstances
beyond control. driven blindly. But
now everything which had occurred so
swiftly during those past few hours
swept over her In memory Hike food.
What was the end now before herr |
IL all seemed more a horrible dream |
than any reality OF life II was be- |
yond belief. beyond experience; that
such things were even possible seemed
utterly beyond reason.
Yet memory would not die or be
deceived. IL was true-ail Of II was
true. The death OF old Tom Meager;
the return Of the renegade son; bis
brutal assumption Of control; the glow
of lust In his eyes at their first meet
ng; and then-then the happenings OF
his last night. And now-now she
vas there waiting. amid all this desc
alton. for the return Of a strange
nan. whose face she never had seen.
The whole situation seemed impossi-
lie, yet she could not doubt Its actual
'eality. She was not dreaming; she
vas wide awake.
Yet as she reviewed all the events
eading up to this situation the girl
ould not perceive where she might
ave done otherwise. The impossible
y Of leaving the ranch unalded; the ,
penly avowed purpose OF Bob Meager; =,
he forced marriage; the drunken as
iult; the blind effort at escape, be-
ewing she had killed the man In self
efense; and the unexpected meeting
tth kelleen-all these had been utter
beyond her control. Even after that
'arcely choice had been left her.
he man had TO be accepted as
lend. or else left behind as an enemy.
c was In position to either serve or
etrny her. as he chose. and there was
lat about his personality which had
on her faith. What II was she hard
knew, nor did she have the slight
4 conception still who the man ac-
ally was. His evident dislike OF
eager and Garrity meant nothing. ex-
'pt perhaps as thus explaining his
illlngness to befriend her against
em. She had seen him as only
lrk. Underlined shape in the night.
he had gained no glimpse OF his fea-
res. but she liked his voice, the
NAL yet respectful way In which he
dressed her. the cool assurance with
hich he had taken complete control:
hatever the fellows past might have
zen. she felt confidence In him. be-
we'd firmly that be was really en-
avoring honestly TO serve her In this
nergeney.
IL seemed a long while. 50 long as
almost brighten her. before she be-
me aware Of his approach. Indeed.
was actually beside her on foot
fore she recognized his presence.
'proaching silently from the oppo-
e direction from that anticipated.
Pr startled gare had scnrcely distin- i,
ished his dim outline. when be =
oke. his hand already grssping her q
rSe's rein "
There. that is over WITH he said
nlaily. ~Now IN lead you for the -
xt Eve hundred yards. After that O..
IN DO some real riding
Where their course led she could ),
Z clearly determine from the saddle \,
I they moved forward slowly. After
me hundred yards had been trav-
sed. the path led upward once again.
E horses hoofs now sinking into a.
cp sand. Then horse whlnnied =
81 in front of them. and the next IN -
INT she could make out the darker !.
adow. Kelleen released his grin. -
N little laugh % relief.
Lonely. old fellow We'll. wos'g r
80 xs...s a~ol~ N.... 49,. - d. ! III