The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-01-16

3 ne escaped from town, W0rrail ADDED.
'.Whatever we do will probably be
wrong,v O'Hara said. Might as well
try Horse creek as anywhere
The sky was clear and the sun shin
ing. AS they dropped down from the
rugged peak country the temperature
became perceptibly warmer.
O'Hara came to a decision. "Think
I'll ride over to the Diamond Tail and
find out If anything has been seen Of
our birds. You fellows meet me at
the Circle s o before supper. Well
stay there tonight. You might work
the creek on the way down."
Steve Worrall looked at him and
grinned. A little later, when the two
were out of hearing Of the others, the
deputy made an innocent prefer.
'Kinda hard ride to the Diamond
Tail an back to the Circle o. II
you'd like me to scout that territory
for you why of course I'd reluctantly
consent, old-timer."
O'Hara flushed. "No, I'm younger
and ought to do the hardest work" he
said, tongue in cheek.
1T wouldn't be hard work for me-"
Worrall said, IAN I'll bet you won't
find it so doggoned hard yore own
SELF"
"Anyhow, it's my duty" o'Hara said
dryly.
"Hmpi Duty-that's a right mean
word. Wonder what Barbara will say
when tell her you feel she's duty.
1t amt ever been duty for most
young fellows to ride clear acrost the
county to say 'Howdy!' to her. They
claimed it was pleasure"
did say it wasn't?'
''No, sir, just limited it. You tell
her I'll be along one O. these days,
after / get through being dragged
around by the guy who thinks she's
duty, an it'll be strictly pleasure
visit"
'Tll tell her. That will keep her
cheered up till you come" his friend
retorted.
O'Hara rode across rough country
and dropped down along the creek to
the Diamond Tail. He came up to
the house from the rear and rode
around it to the front.
Barbara was holding low-voiced
conversation with Jack Phillips, her
foreman. She caught sight of O'Hara
and her eyes became quick with life.
AS she moved toward him he felt that
strange flash in them that set his
blood tingling.
"Oh, Garrett, we're so proud Of
your she cried I've been afraid
didn't know what he might do to you.
But now you've taken him and de-
stroyed his gang We're so happy
about it. You've been wonderful, and
now the danger is past"
He shook his head, smiling ruefully.
as he held her hand in his. you
haven't heard the latest. I couldn't
keep him. He killed his guard and
escaped"
He could see the chill shock of his
tidings sink in her.
'.Killed his guard-not Steve?"
'No. Buck Grogan. We don't know
just how it happened. He must have
grown careless.
''Do you know where he headed
for?" asked Phillips.
Across Powder Horn. We lost his
tracks this side of the pass"
"Are you out after him? Where's
yore posse?"
"I'm to meet the boys at my ranch
before supper. Thought I'd better
ride over and warn you" He felt the
heat ,pricking-into his face and knew
he was bushing This annoyed him.
Couldn't he ever get over that fool
girl trick of flying flag of embar-
rassment?
The foreman nodded. "Ill see the
boys right away and have what horses
are around the ranch close herded."
He turned and strobe away.
Left alone, both the man and the
woman found themselves empty of
words for a moment. This meeting had
stirred in each of them an emotional
disturbance.
"Niayn't see his royal highness?"
he asked lamely.
IF you don't wake him."
They tiptoed to the buggy and
looked down at the sleeping babe.
His eyes lifted-and his blood leaped.
In her starry eyes he found the gift
his heart desired.
(TO BE CONTINUED)