The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-02-15
CHAPTER II-continued.

De Witt was unconscious ana Drealn-
ing heavily. Somebody ran back for
water. Another man produced flask
of brandy and got some of the contents
between De Wits teeth. Presently
De Witt began to splutter. He sat up,
saw and recognized Winton. and his
eyes filed with deadly hatred.
'1'll get even with you for this" he
mumbled.
But there was no more fight in him.
Solicitously attended by the little clerk
whom he had ousted from his seat so
uncermonlously, De Witt staggered
back to the coach, resuming his old
place In the corner. with his hat pulled
over his discoloring forehead.
He looked so abject and crestfallen,
with his swollen lip and bruised jaw
that Wlnton almost felt pity for him.
But 1t was certain that De Witt de-
Served no pity. The man was a bully
and cad and had got his deserts.
After the coach had started. Sheila
Seaton bent forward and spoke to Win
ton.
Il don't know how TO thank you"
she said. with a catch of her breath.
Nobody else would have dared to do
what you have done"
81 think most men would have done |
So" said Winton.
"You don't know who he is. He is
Judge Davis man. Nobody would dare
10 thwart Judge Davis. The Judge
stands behind Mr.. De Witt in every
thing"
"Who is Judge Davis?v
1.-THE president of the Diamond
Fields Syndicate. And the landdrost."
'What's that?" Wlnton asked
''The resident magistrate and Judge.
You see, Malopo is really a native pro-
tectorate, and there isn't any legisla-
ture or law, so Judge Davis can do
anything he pleases. You are a stran-
ger. aren't you? But you don't speak
like an Englishman."
I'm an American, and know moth
ing of this country" answered Winton.
II only landed week ago. l came out
to"-he checked hlmself-"to take up !
claim in Malopo."
They were bending close toward I
each other. The creaking Of the coach /
made their words inaudlble to the
others, who, having discussed the
amazing Incident to their satisfaction,
had settled down to sleep through the
glare and heat and dust Winton cast
a glance toward Daddy Seaton. The q
old man. having assuaged his thirst n
with plentiful gulps Of whisky, was
fast asleep In his corner. a
you have made terrible blunder," S
said the girl earnestly. "You had bet s
ter take the next coach back. Really,
you had better, because nobody can b
Eight the judge. and Mr.. De Witt is his II
righf-hand man." h
.We'll see" said Wlnton grimly. 'In Il
the mean time. won't you tell me why
why he thinks he can insult your" n
She smiled YEARLY "In a frontier %
settlement women do not expect cour- b.
tesies," she answered ii
"On the contrary" answered Winton h,
= don't believe these men"-he looked IL
-ound the coach--"would not protect h.
Tou in an emergency, unless"
He hesitated. He was getting into in
ieep water. The question was too 81
PERSONAL. az
And Wlnton was beginning TO suspect ca
hat the same fate which had broken In
Id Seaton had somehow changed the in
curse of the girls life. though she was W
lot spiritIess like her father There WI
vas about her an indefnable air OF In
loofness, as II she had been driven in in
pom herself, as II some tragedy had II
obbed her Of her right to happiness. dr
And she had submitted TO De Wits an
as If 1t had been Inevitable. w
The girl bent forward earnestly. II
ee you don't understand" she said. L,
In our frontier towns there are only nc
go classes Of women. those that are M
aides and those that are--not. am oil,
OF These men could tell you ~