The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-04-16
CHAPTER XIX
Riders of Portent.

Line.
When Rod Stone came in at dusk
she came running to him in the shad-
ows to whisper in his ear.
1.-The sun woman from the flats on
Nameless," she said. has thrown
their words back in the faces of the
master and the boss-and they have
given her to Sud to guard-in Rain
bows pot with Big Basford at the
Flange. It's devils work"
Rod Stone put out an arm and
Rugged the girl gently.
you're a real woman, kid, II your
''and after all, it's heart that counts.
Now tell me about this"
81 came" said Minnie frankly, "to
you, because you are the only man at
Sky Line. The rest are skunks.
Josefa says you have the. heart of
Pomo chief"
Stone stood for long time consider
ing.
Then he drew deep breath and
flung up his head.
You're right" he said, "it's devils
work and something must be done. !
am the one to do 1t, too"
He was silent for another space.
Then he turned to the girl
kid" he said. tive been thinking
about you lately-about making get
away down the Pipe some night and
striking across the desert for Marston
we could find parson there and
drop over the line into Mexico. Ar
mold hasn't much on me-perhaps less
than on anyone at Sky Line-and we
could make new start"
There was the soft sound Of an In
drawn breath and Minnie Pines hand
went to her shapely throat.
Stone went on.
'sIf / do this-if ! hit down for
Cordova tonight-you know, of course,
that it is very likely to be the end of
me one way or another, In the general
stir up that will follow. l want you to
know any way before start-that I'd
like that new beginning-with you"
For a long moment there was no
sound save the myriad voices of the
conifers talking mysteriously with
the winds Of night.
Then the Pomo girl put her hands
on the white mans shoulders.
"a chief" she said, "does what must
be done-without fear-and a chiefs
woman follows him-even TO death.
Saddle two horses"
At Sheriff Price Selwood's ranch an
anxious circle watched the still form
on the bed. The doctor from Bement
had not left his station for seven
hours. Outside cowboys, all armed,
walked here and there. and on the
deep veranda sat the prospector,
Smith, smoking innumerable cigarettes
and waiting on destiny.
''It may be an hour-it may be ten
but something Is going to happen
soon," the doctor had said at dusk, "he
will either rally or sink. If he speaks
he will be rational. 1 think"
And on that chance the stranger
waited to ask one question, namely:
what Is the secret Of Sky Line?
Where is the other end of the pas
sage?'
For all the hours that Price Selwood
had lain unconscious, fourteen men
under Bossick had camped in glade
under the flaring skirts of Mystery's
western end, ready to answer Fairs
summons.
Fairs thoughts were of the girl on
Nameless-of her long blue eyes with
their steady light, of her smiling lips
and the golden crown Of her braided
hair.
He drifted away, as lovers have done
since time was, and II was the low
toned voice of the doctor which re-
called him.
"Mr. Smith," 1t said without a
change of infection, "come In care
fully"
He rose and, tossing away his cigar
cite, stepped softly across the sill.
In the faint light of the Oil lamp on
a stand Sheriff Selwood looked up into
the face of his wife, bending above
him.
Sally" he said weakly.
Then he turned his head and looked
slowly around at the others.
"Hello. Doc" he whispered, then
''they didn't get me-after all Smith
Smith" sudden light leaped into
the dazed eyes, II saw-them drive
Bossick's-Bossick's steers into the
face of-Rainbow cliff mile west-of
Sky Line"
That's plenty" said Fair quickly,
'you mustn't talk, Selwood-mind the
doctor-Pm leaving now"
And with a gentle touch on the sick
mans shoulder he was gone.
He ran to the stable and got Dia-
mond.
Five Of Selwood's riders were throw
ing saddles on horses.
In less time than seemed possible
the six men were riding for the
rendezvous on Nameless.
All along the flowing river there was
the seeming of portent. strange sense
of impending tragedy. for many riders
were abroad in the quiet night.
One of these was Bud Allison, his
young face set and awful. his pappy's
old rife grasped In steady hand,
pushing Big Dan to an unaccustomed
limit of speed toward Sheriff Selwood's
ranch.
The boy was praying that he might