Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-04-19

I long drought. Cloud-banks were al
ready heaping up in the sky, but there
was not likely to be another downpour
until nightran; the first rains are not
continuous, as in later weeks. The
day promised intense heat, but the
| long, rolling ridges of the desert had
already a sub-tinge Of green.
Hour after hour, the two men rode
! side by side. Occasionally WintOn
ventured some remark, but the judge
/ hardly answered him; he was brood
| ing, with his head sunk on his breast.
Winion was lost in dreams Of Sheila.
After a long time. In the broiling heat
of the noon sun. he saw the faint out
| lines of the distant hills before him.
First they were a blue line against
the sky, then a patch of green against
the brown of the desert He pointed
them out to his companion, but the
4 judge only looked up, nodded, and re-
srmed his broodlng. Presently he
raised his head. and Winton was
CHARMED to see the light of the deadly
! purpose in his eyes.
He'll make for there, Garrett"
he said.
"Seaton?"
Judge Davis nodded. "They told me
last night" he answered. That's
why l wanted 10 give him a nights
start. He'll have made that place by
now. I've been there-long ago. Wen
meet. It will be the fulhIlment of
quest that occupied a great part of
my time years ago, Garrett; l put it
/ aside, but l never abandoned it alto
gether, and now I've taken it up
again"
1t occurred to Winton that if Judge
Davis went mad he would go mad in
4 precisely that cool, methodical way.
He wondered if he was armed, and
what he would do If he and Seaton
met. And he cursed himself for not
having reflected that such a meeting
was highly probable.
He had fleetinG idea of attempt
ing physical restraint, but he aban-
doned the idea instantly. Whatever
needed to be done must be done when
the time arrived.
The distant hills grew nearer. Green
/ valleys and PERCEPTIONS heights ap-
peared. The sun was at the zenith.
! The horses walked with hanging
heads, painting. Not living thing
appeared on the vast plain except the
steeds and their riders
But presently Winton caught sight
Of something on the far horizon that
locked II vast flock of sheep. Yet
surely no man had ever owned so
large a herd. 1t formed a wide arc,
miles in length, along the edge Of
the desert.
1t was mirage, of course. But,
even SO, somewhere the reality ex-
listed; and Winton, more puzzled than
ever, followed it with his eyes as he
rode on, wondering when it would dis
appear. 1t did not disappear. The
entire herd seemed moving in the d.
rection of the hills, now about four
miles away, travelling almost parallel
clination to make 1t probable that,
If it were indeed real herd, it would
pass into the valley toward which the
riders were making.
At last Winton called the judges
attention to the flock. But Judge Da-
Wis, seeming hardly to be aware of
his presence, shook himself impa-
tiently and rode on, immersed in his
morbid introspection.
The flock appeared to keep pace
| with the horses, and it was now
clearly conyerging toward the pass.
| Winton. watching it, abandoned the
idea that it was a mirage. Yet 1t
could not possibly be any mans flock.
/ There were hundreds II thousands OF
| the animals, moving. apparently,
| without herdsmen.
The valley opened before them.
/ Winton recognized his location; the
native village was not far away. The
/ riders were already ascending into
! tile foothills. As they rounded one
of the bases of the mountain chain
Winton looked back, and saw the herd
much nearer. Then il was lost TO
sight. and he thought no longer OF
the prodigy in thinking Of Sheila.
They rode along the winding pass.
ascending. descending. until at last
the cluster of beehive huts appeared
/ in the distance.
Suddenly Winton saw that Judge
Davis was clutching revolver in his
I hand.
The sight shocked him but less than
/ the look which Davis face had now
assumed If Seaton was in the VII
lage there would be murder. Winton
/ tried TO take the weapon gently from
Davis hard; but with an adroit
movement. as If he had been on guard
all the time, the judge wrenched him
self away. and suddenly spurred the
horse he rode which darted on ahead
/ down the valley.
/ ITO BE CoNTINUED.)
Llherlsns Pawn Children.