New Britain herald., 1925-01-20

closer 10 ner ana, taking ner lace between both his big hands, he tilted back her head and kissed her lips. They were as cold as her cheeks, and her eyes, he thought, looked up to him as if he were as far removed as the stars above them.
 CHAPTER XXIN
 The Fourth White Pebble
 He went back to the entrance to the hollow and, looking around, he saw Joan ssill watching him. So he went on to Buck Daniels sleeping at the mouth of the gap. He shook Buck into wakefulness, and, when he was sitting up in his blanket told him briefly and clearly every thing that had Happened. When he had finished he waited for a reply.
 But, first of all, Buck found his pipe, hlled it very slowly, and lighted it. He puffed away at 1t for a time.
 T knew when I hit the trail," he said at length. that it ain't no good. It was the same way with the trails that l took after Dan Barry. Once l tried to bring him back to Kate. And the way l worked it was by insulting Dan. l hit him across the face in front of lot of other gents.
 Then I turned and ran for 1t. He came fast, but I had relay of hosses fixed up, and they got me back to the ranch in the nick of time. And handling Joan is like handling the ghost of Dan. There ain't nothing we can do for her. Our work is ended, Harry"
 Harry shook his head,
 T cant give her up," he said. And the farther she is away from me, the more I want her. Buck, I've got plan that may sound crazy, but it's one I'm going to stick to-
 T.cmme hear it."
 I'm going to join Macarthur's gang. That way I'll be close to Joan while she's with them. And when she leaves, l leave! And suppose that you, Buck, hung around in the ofIing and waited for a chance. J don't know what might come up, but there's always a change, you know. Two men can do lot. You and I might be able to get Joan away. Does it sound good to you?'
 ITO me-" murmured Buck, Tt sounds like fool talk
 He added: "But l was always nine-tenths fool myself. If you want 10 take the big chance, I'll take the littla one. But nothing will come out ct this but a considerable bunch of hell fire for all of us, You mark my words, Harry"
 But the big man could not be moved. He sadded his horse, while Buck did the same and started off down the mountainside 10 find covert Gloster himself mounting, rode straight back through the defile and into the hollow.
 Straight to the door of the hut hc went. dismountcd, and striding into the room, stamped heavily upon the floor. Six figures started up. But only five guns glistened. For Glostcr had stepped to Mac arthur in the farther corner and, as the chief started up, his wrists were caught and his arms were twisted up behind his back.
 "Be quiet. Macarthur" said Harry Gloster, Be quiet, or I'll break your arms for you. Boys hold off with your guns till l have T talk with you. Macarthur here has a grudge against me. But I've come up here to join you if you1i take me. My names Harry GloSter' And the country's too hot for me. What do you say?'
 "Take him off" groaned Mac arthur, crimson with his mortific*- ton. Blow his head off. Babe. The skunk took me by surprise"
 Wait a minute" said Babe. III there's only one. I guess that there ain't any need of making a hurry call on the lead. What are you aim ing at, Gloster?"
 "At a chance to talk without hay ing Macarthur blow my head oft'
 Here he shifted both of Mac arthur's arms, held them with the mighty grip of his one hand' and then snatched the weapons from the holsters of the leader. for Mac arthur wore two guns.
 That's a lot better" he declared, and stepped away from his victim
 The leader lost some of his pur- ole color Of rage.
 "WeTI vote on this thing" he said. Don't have to do 1t loua' Pick up some pebbles, boys. White ones let him in and black ones turn him out. There's my hat to drop them in."
 Pebbles were immediately at hand' for most of the floor of the buiid- ing was gravel.
 The voting idea was eagerly taken up by the gang. They hurried 10 nick up their particular choice. And going to the hat they dropped in their votes. Macarthur raised his sombrero and poured out the con- tents into the palm Of his hand.
 "Three Of us have voted him in,