New Britain herald., 1925-01-10
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

But there was no danger. There was not an instant of doubt in her mind the moment she faced him, and presently he came shrinking forward, stopped in the middle of the corral, and raising his head toward those distant mountains, now growing blue with the afternoon shadows, he neighed a soft com plaint.
 CHAPTER xxx.
 Free Pinions
 She did not think of it at the time, for her mind was filled brlm full of delight, and there was no place for thought.
 If any ideas came to her at that time. they were of her father. For her fathers horse had sired this l stallion; and such a horse as the Captain had Satan been, less gigan- tic of body but fully as great of soul. He would have known how to handle the big black, that father Of hers. With his voice alone he had ruled Satan; with his voice alone he could have ruled the Cap- tain. From him came her own au- thority over the black; and so the stallion was the bond which allied her to the ghost of Dan Barry. All of this was in her mind, but when the afternoon shadows slanted sharply and the night wind began to move in cool and quiet from the desert, she went back to the place where she had tethered Peter. and mounted him for the return to the ranch.
 She was barely home In time 10 cook supper for Buck Daniels. He was an older and sadder man. Once or twice during the meal he fried to make conversation.
 Each time Joan strove to answer him cheerfully and take up the bur den of the talk. Yet in spite of her. self the silences would come as her mind rambled far off to the scenes of the day.
 Might it be that you've been to town today?" Buck asked with some hesitation.
 Remembering the fiercely dicta- torial Buck Daniels of other days tears starvd to her eyes. She jumped up from her place and ran around the table to him.
 "Oh!" she exclaimed. with her arms around his neck and her cheek beside his cheek. "Is there sucb a terrible distance as this between us? Don't you see that love you more than ever? Is there another man in all The world who would have done for the child of his friend what you have done for me? I never forget It. It follows me through the day. And if I don't do just as you want me to-"
 Hush, Joan." he said. seeming more startled than pleased by the outbreak of affection. Flush honey! You don't have to do no explaining to me-"
 lie patted her hands in a perfume tory fashion, and she returned slow
 
 " to her place.
 T asked if you'd been to town ?" ne said, rolling a cigarette with un- certain fingers.
 She nodded.
 It was considerab ble of a fight they had with that black hoss. inc Captain?" he suggested.
 Hes lion of a horse!" she said
 Hes a man-killer," observed Tuck. T hear they ain't even ro- ng to try to sell him."
 What in the world will they do with him. then? Give him awav7',
 The sheriff don't see it that way" said Buck. He's going to put q chunk Of lead into the Captatn.s head" 'i
 It struck Joan dumb.
 The Captain, at all odds. must ho saved. She could not beg him from sim Hargess, How could he nos. sioly understand? And vet the captain must be saved.
 When she finished her work sbe opened the back door and went out- side, Buck Daniels was pacinp soIemnly to and fro in the darkness With cloud of fragrance from his pipe following him. The sight or ms solitary figure stirred her with pity. "''N
 And though she wanted to 20 Ont to nm and take his arm for a while she was held back by a feeling that lie would be ill at ease. She did not wish to hear that new dfffidence In his voice and guess At that startled look in his eyes.
 in her room she threw herself op the bed without undressing and waited a long age until Buck came upstairs. He did not pause at her noor this evening to say good night. but with loud. stamping step went on to his own room. She listened to the creaking of the floor until he was in bed. Then she was up at once and down the stairs. all silent. lN' not in dread lest Buck shouId hear her now. but in pity lest he should wake and worry for until her return.
 lQ the pasture she found and sad- dled honest Peter, and a few mo- ments later they were bound for the town on a gallop. She cut around behind the houses. according to the plan which she had worked out be- fore. tethered Peter at a little dis tance, and then, carrying a halter and lead rope, she started through the trees toward the hotel stable and the corral behind 1t. Voices in the darkness stopped her.
 This is where Haines was hit"