The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-10-15
CHAPTER NJ,
Ihr LA.hr. Of Hone

The Ashes Of Hope
IT was dark % the moon aud Sheriff
L Price Srlwood sat on bis horse a
little distance from Mckane'a stor,
AZ Cordoya. his hat pulled over his
brow. his hands on his saddle horn
Inside the lighted store four tables
were coins.
A bunch OF cattle men from ths
Upper Country were IN and most Of
the Cathrow men were down from
sky Line.
Tho nine or ten bona.tide citizens
Of Cordoya were present also, and
McKanc was IN high fetlle. Tho geN
houses Of the town wcre dark fo'
Il WAL fairly late. Al these thing
the sheriff noted IN the quarter hour
I he at patiently watching
When he was satisfied that all the
families were represented inside, that
the dogs q the place were settled q
lnaction. and that no one was likely
10 leave the store FOR several hour
at least. he did a peculiar thing.
He tied his horse 90 a tree near
where Il stood and went forward
/ quietly on foot. stopping AZ tho rack
where the Caihrow horses stood In d
row. They were good stock, Cattle
Kate would have nothing else az Sis
Line.
selwood took plenty Of time. pat
ting a shoulder here. strokluE uos'
there. and finally stepped In between
a big brown mare aud tho rangy KraN
gclding which Sud Provine Away
rode lie fondlsd the animal for 8
few moments. then ran his han,
down the isft forelcE and picked NJ
tho hoof. II was Bhod. saddle hors'
fashion. He placed the foot hstwcoi
his knees, very much after the man
nsr OF a blacksmith. and taking
small coarse file from his Goa
pocket. proceeded 20 q file a SINAI
notch IN the shoe.
Then he put the fils away. CAV
the gray a last friendly slap. got hi
own horse and rode away,
He intended 10 have a good night
sleep.
Several days later Kate Cathrcy
came down 20 Cordoya and held
short private conversation with Nc
Kane.
''afcKaue." she said. who give
you the heaviest trade In this man
country
You DO" said McKane prompt,
far and away"
DO sou value IT,
! Does a duel; swim
Then give me a moments after
ton" said Kate Cathrew. and kse
what say under your hat"
I'm Ike the well that old saw tel
of--the stone sinks and Is never see
again. Confession in the heart Of
friend, you know"
Thanks. Now listen"
| When the woman rode away a Ia
hour later. carrying another of thos
1 letters from New York which II
trader had come 20 hate ever sine
Selwood's suggestion concerning u
| writer. his eyes had very BtranE
expression. II was a mixture OF se'
| eral expressions. rathcr-nstonisl
| ment. Of personal qualification. an
vague. homogeneous regret. II b
had been better man that last fair
seeming OF sorrow might have d
noted the loss OF an ideal, the deaf
OF something fine.
| But he looked after Cattle Kat
with fire OF passion that vas slow
growing with every interview.
Life at the homestead on Sameie,
took on a new color with the adver
OF Sonny Fair. Nrs Allison. an cp
tome OF universal motherhood. locke
over the scant. wsll.mended beionl
| ings OF the family and laid out sue
articles as she Judged could be spare,
| These she began expertly TO maxi
over into little garments
| when did Brand buy you the,
pants. sonny7" she inquired. but II
child shook his head.
| II don't know" he answered
| HIN. Must be pretty poor" I'll
oplned. but Bud scowled in dlsai
| proyal.
Pretty durn stingy, I'd say" h
remarked.
j Hold judgment, Bud" counssle
: Nance, when man travels for tw
years he don't have much time
make money. Were poor. too, BIT
that don't spell anything"
Bud held his tongue, but II wa
plain he was not convinced.
What makes him so contrary,
wonder7" said the girl later.
"He's jealous" saId Mrs. AlHso
calmly. because you champion Il
stranger. It's natural"
The field Of corn was beautiful
It's blades were broad and satin,
covering the brown earth from view
and the waving green floor came We
up along the horses legs as Name
rode down the rows on the shack
cultlvator.
For three days she had been at
labor Of love. She had mar
dreams as she watched the light vlr
ping on tho silky banners. vagu
pleasant dreams that had to do vii
her cancelled debt at the store, wit
the trip 20 Bement about tho carpe
and with the new blue dress 81
hoped 20 get with the surplus.
Bud must have some new thing
too. and her Nanny needed sho
tho worst way.
All these things the growing flc
promised her. whispering under q
little wind, and she was happy de-
In her innocent heart.
She wondered II she dared ol
Brand 10 let her take Sonny on til