Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-09-16

The air was cool, bright stars gut
tered all about the soaring moon
Only the rutted road showed that
there had been storm. At last they
struck the well-drained highway and
sped along the metaled road at tor
speed. past the scattering light Of Pa.
Iona to labor valiantly up the hill
that led to Hermanos valley and drop
down to the ranch.
There was a car standing By the
honse.
Looks as II they'd got conkIin, :,
said the doctor as he honked his horn
and braked to a standstill. Don't
look like his car, though"
1t was Baxter's roadster. Why he
should have left It there and started
for the canyon in the storm. again
perplexed Caleb. A sudden thought
struck him with the possibility that
he might have Quarreled with Betty
Clinton. That would account for her
not asking bis aid. He had lied when
he said he kissed her. Baxter would
do that. Or the kiss might have been
forced. and he dismissed.
door opened. Betty Clinton ap-
peared, her voice anxious.
you've come at last What IL itr'
They were getting out OF the car.
the doctor reaching back for his bag.
at Is Warner. Miss Clinton. I've
brought Doctor 7"
Doctor Kennedy. Miss Clinton"
"0hr There was relief 10 her tone
"Im so glad you've come. Hes In a
high fever. I'm afraid >,
Caleb followed them as they walked
swiftly toward the open door. She
had thanked him only by a glance that
held Its reward and conveyed some
thing that encouraged him to walt In
the big IIvlng-room. There might be
something else that he could do. He
still puzzled over the presence OF Bax-
ter's machine outside, the riddle Of
Baxter. walking down the canyon. II
all seemed TO point to a quarrel. Mary
Morgan's suggestion that Betty Clin-
ton had not believed him as bad as he
was painted grew more likely, this
service that he had rendered her
might help to renew the bond between
them.
He was still IN the dark as to the
nature OF Clinton's Illness. or Its seri.
BUSINESS, and no one came to enllghten |
him until the honk Of a horn sounded |
outside.
Betty Clinton did not answer this ar
rival. Instead Maria entered from
the patio pergola, ushering In brisk,
short man with a bag.
"Tm Doctor Conklin." said the man
TO Caleb who had risen. .'You are a
friend OF the family7 / don't think
I've met you before
81 brought Doctor Kennedy up from
Coyote said Caleb. Miss Clinton
feared Padilla might not be able to
secure you. II Is too bad that there
Is not a telephone here or we might
have saved you the trip. ! understand
you have plenty to do IN Paloma."
The doctor did not appear aggrieved
that he had come to play second I'D
die, that he might not be wanted
KENNEDY. eh7 Good man. Ken
1edy T. Yes. we have a mild epidemic
must be going back as soon as pos
ibie. But there's no harm done. The
Mexican told me about Clinton. Ex-
vitality-danger Of pneu.
nonla."
Maria came back and went into the
Iatio. Her eyes turned toward Caleb
lie fancled them friendly. Betty Clin-
on was close behind her.
u am so glad you came, Doctor
he said. advancing with outstretched
and. $50 Is Doctor Kennedy. He
rants to consult with you VIII you
o in7"
She accompanied him TO the inner
DOR and then came back to Caleb
Ter face was pale and worried but
er eyes were shining as she gave
i'm her hand.
II haven't thanked you yet" she
aid. There isn't time just now. But
appreciate what you have done. II
-as-kind. YeH can waltz 2,
Surely" he answered, stirred By s
er touch and voice. She had barely {
when Maria arrived with &
,ffee and sandwiches that she set on n
table.
Ella senorita wishes you to eat"
he said. with the effect Of an ALSO 3
tie order. Caleb thanked her.
did you see-that other oner she g.
Iked- "My senorita did not say. save B
at she met you by the bridge" q
ITO BIZ coRTnUED.I N
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