The Dolores star., 1924-07-18

where 1t belonged. There she gazed
upon 1t for a moment, as though fas-
cinated by 1t. Then she fell upon her
bed and lay motionless until long after
the valley was wrapped in shadow.
The events of these days had al
most driven from Zen's mind the trag-
edy of George Drazk. When she
thought of 1t at all 1t presented such
grotesque unreality-it was such an
unreasonable thing-that 1t assumed
the vague qualities of dream. II
| was something unreal and very much
better forgotten, and 1t was only by
an unwilling effort at such times that
she could bring herself to know that
1t was not unreal. 1t was a matter
| that concerned her tremendously.
Sooner or later Drazk's disappearance
must be noted-perhaps his body
would be foGnd-and while she had
| little fear that anyone would associate
her with the tragedy 1t was most
unpleasant thing to think about. Some
times she wondered If she should not
| tell her father or Transley just what
had happened, but she shrank from
doing so as from the confession of n
crime. Mostly she was able to think
of other matters.
| Her father brought 1t up In star
Ting way at breakfast. Absolutely
out of blue sky he said. Did you
know, Zen, that Drazk has disap-
peared? Transley tells me you were
interested n bit in him, or perhaps
should say he was interested in you"
Zen was so overcome by this star
tllng change in the conversation that
she was unable to answer. The color
went from her face and she leaned
low over her plate to conceal her
agitation.
"Yep," continued Y.D., with no more
concern than If steer had been lost
from the herd "Transley said to tell
you Drazk had disappeared an he
reckoned you wouldn't be bothered
any more with him."
"Drazk was nothing to me-" she
managed to say. How can you think
he was?"
'Now who said he was?" her father
retorted. For young woman with
the price of herd of steers on her
third finger you're sort o. short this
mornin'. Now I'm JUS wonderin' how
far you can see through board
fence, Zen. Are you surprised that
Drazk has dsappeared?"
She was entirely at loss to under.
stand the drift of her fathers talk
He could not connect her with Drazk's
disappearance. or he would not up
proach the matter with such uncon
Germ. That was unthinkable. Neithe,
could Transley, or he would not have
sent so brutal message. And yet 1,
was clear that they thought she should
be interested.
Her fathers question demanded ar
answer.
What should I carer" she venturet
at length.
II didn't ask you whether you cared
I asked you whether you was sur
prised."
"Drazk's movements were - arr
nothing to me. don't know that
have any occasion to be surprised
about anything he may do"
"Well, I'm rather glad you're not
because If you don't jump to conclu
sions. perhaps other people won't. Not
that 1t makes any partic'lar dlffrence.'
Dad" she cried in desperation
"whatever do you mean?'
ut was all plain enough to me. an
plain enough to Transley." her fathel
continued with remarkable calmness
1--WE seen it right from the first"
You're talking in riddles, Y.D.,'
his wife demonstrated. You're get
ting Zen all worked up"
"Jewelry seems to be mighty up
settin'," Y.D. commented. There was
nothin' like that In our engagement
eh, Jessie? Well, to come to ths
point. There was n fire which burned
up the valley of the South Y.D. Fires
don't start hemselves-usually. This
so it was natural enough to suspec
Y.D. or some of his sympathizers
Well It wasn't Y.D., an l reckon II
wasn't Zen. an 1t wasn't Transley mol
Linder an every one of the gang.
accounted for excep' Drazk. Drazh
thought he was doin' a great piece Of
business when he fired the Landsor
hay, but when the wind turned an
burned up the whole valley Drazk see.
where he can't play no hero par
around here so he loses himself fol
good. l gathered from Transley tha,
Drazk had been botherin' you a little
Zen, which Is why told you"
The girls heart was pounding vio
lently at this explanation. 1t wa.
logical. and would be accepted readily
by those who knew Drazk. She would
not trust herself In further conversa
tiOn, so she slipped away as soon a.
she could and spent the day riding
down the river.