, 1924-11-19

day night at the fork of Rainbow
above the ] X ranch. l was lying on
n ledge close to the trail. You dis
cussed whether to try Deer creek or
follow Rainbow to its headwaters,"
the miner said.
THAT was sure one on us. Hadn't
been for the kid, l don't reckon we
ever would have took you," a deputy
confessed.
what beats me Is why you weren't
a hundred miles away in Routt coun-
ty over in yore old stamping ground"
another submitted.
II had my reasons. l wasn't look
Ing to be caught anyhow. Now you've
got IN you want to watch me Close
the prisoner advised.
Were watching you. Don't make
any mistake about that and try any
fool break" Gill answered, quite I'M
disturbed.
Hes the coolest hand I ever heard"
Farquhar said to the party on the
porch. "If l were u ~highwayman I'd
like to have MIN for a partner"
Hes not a highwayman, l tell you,"
corrected Moya.
II hope he isn't. but I'm afraid lie
is" India confided In a whisper. For
whatever else he Is. Jack Kilmeny is
a man."
Every much so,'' the captain nodded,
between troubled puffs of his pipe.
And I'm going to stand by him."
announced his sister with q determined
toss of her pretty head.
Moya slipped an arm quickly around
her waist. She was more grateful for
this support than she could say. 1t
meant that India at least had definite
ly accepted the American as a rela-
tive with the obligation that implied.
Both girls waited for Ned Kilmeny
to declare himself. for. after all, he
was the head OF the family.
The excitement Of the girl he loved
showed itself In the dusky eyes spar
king beneath the soft mass of
blue-black hair, In the glow of under
lying blood that swept into her cheeks.
She hoped-ol, 10Y she hoped i-that
the officer would stand by his cousin.
In her heart she knew hat II he did
not-no matter how right his choice
might be in principle-she never
would l k him so well again. He was
a man who carried in his face and in
his bearing the note of ~fineness, of
personal distinction. but If he were to
prove a Journalist Mt heart, II he were
going to sickle for an assurance of his
kinsman's innocence before he cnme to
the prisoners aid, Moya would have
no further use for him.
When the sheriff presently came out
Captain Kilmeny asked him II he
might have n word with the prisoner.
Sure. Anything you want to say
to him."
The English officer drew his cousin
aside and with some embarrassment
rendered him the use of his purse in
the event 1t might be needed for the
defense.
Jack looked at him steadily with
hard uniinchlng eyes. "Why are you
offering this. captninr'
81 don't quite take you"
81 mean, what's your reasonf Don't
like 1t to get out that you have a
cousin in the pen. Is that It? Anxious
to avoid a family ~scandal?" he asked,
almost with a sneer.
The captain flushed, but before he
could answer India famed out. You
might have the decency to be ashamed
of that, Jack Kilmeny."
Her cousin looked at the girl rave
ly. then back at her lean. clean-faced
brother. II am. Beg your pardon.
captain. As for your offer, I would
accept II II there were any need. But
there isn't. The charges against me
will fall fat"
"Deuced glad to hear It. Miss
Dwight has just been telling us It
would be all right"
India looked straight at Jack out
Of the steel-blue eyes that were so like
his own. 81 wasn't SO sure of II my
self. but Moya was. Nothing could
shake her. She's n good friend"
~ had 1t sized up about that way"
the miner replied. "T'm much obliged
to her"
OF his cousins. lifted a broad-brimmed
gray felt hat from the rack, and de-
llvered himself to the sheriff.
"All right. GILL"
India gave q little exclamation and
moved toward the hatrack. Her
hand fell upon a second hat, similar
in appearance to the first. but much
more worn and dust-stained. She
opened her lips to speak and closed
them without saying a word. For her
eyes had met those Of Moya and read
there n warning.
The last faint beat Of the retreat
| To- hAnfa dtal MN A.. alvv.rl
constrnint settled upon the party left
at the Lodge. II was impossible to
discuss the situation openly. yet II was
embarrassing to ignore the subject in
the thoughts of all. After n decent