Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-02
INSTALLMENT XVI.

n shot took him somewhere In the
N breast. It whirled him half
round. His gun, spout1ng name
tore I'D the gravel at Jim'S feet.
A terrible wound with its agony, . con-
seriousness of it's mortality, added 70 the
overwhelming ferocity OF jealous naIe'
gave the man Superhuman pnySlcal &c
tivity. He whirled, bounding the otner
way so swiftly that Jln's second shot
missed him altogether. Hays gun was
booming. but it was also describing the
same curves and jerks as ms Dooy'
Then, as passion gave place TO oeS.
perate need and the gun aligned itself
with Jim, Jims third shot destroyed
aim, force and consciousness.
Hays demoniac face set woodenly.
The gun, with hammer up, dropped to
explode. And the robber lodged against
the slant of wall, dead, with the awful
ness of his mortal passion stamped
upon his features.
1t was ever. Jim breathed. Inc
hand which held his gun was so wet
that he thought his blood was flowing.
But 1t was sweat
IT wish-Smoky could-know." NUT
tered Jim over a convulsive Jaw. He
showed Hays off the wall.
Wiping his face, Jim staggered to the
rock and sat down. Spent and heavlng
he sat there, his will operating on a
whirling mind. It was over--the thing
that had had to come. All dead! Loyal
and faithless robbers alike. What to
do now? The girl! Escape from that
hell hole soon, soon to be besieged
again! He must pack that very hour
and ride-ride away with her.
"Jim-oh, JIM" came cry from the
back of the cave.
"Heien-lt's all-over," he called,
hoarsely.
She appeared in the opening. Gomez"
she whispered.
Yes, gone-and dead"
"I-saw-you -: Is he-deadP
"You bet your life," burst out jim, his
breast oppressed.
"Oh, help me out!"
He ran to assist her. She came sliding
out, to fall on her knees, clasping Jim
with fierce arms. Her head fell against
him.
Get up" he ordered. sharply, trying
to lift her. But she was more than a
dead weight.
God bless you! Oh. God bless you'll"
she cried The voice was husky, strange.
yet carried the richness and contralto
melody that had been one Of Helen's
charms.
Don't say that!" he exclaimed,
aghast.
Jim, you've saved me-" she whis-
pered. Jim's hands plucked at her
arms, caught them.
She loosened her hold and raised her
head to look up at him. He saw only
her eyes, fearless, strained in over
whelming gratitude.
"No-not yeti" he blurted out. 1--WE
must hurry out of this"
She arose, still clinging to him. For
give me. I am selfish. We can talk
some other tine. should have realized
you would want to leave here at once.
F.. Tell me what to do. I will obey"
Jim stepped back and shook himself.
You kept me from thinking" he be-
gan, ponderingly. yet, we must leave
here. =: Put on your riding clothes:
Pack this dress you have on-and all
you have. Take your time. We're safe
for the present. And don't look out. I've
got to bury Hays and the men,"
MY spirit wouldn't faint at that" she
replied. II saw you kill the wretch
and could help bury him"
II won't need you" replied Jim, con-
STRANGELY, and wheeled away. Madly
he rushed to and fro, while he searched
tile dead robbers, to fling their money
and valuables in pile. Then he dragged
pied them over.
Action had begun to steady JIM If not
compose him. He showed all the money
into his saddlebag. Next he packed
every one of his shells. He might be
attacked again in that hiding place
Then he selected supplies for two packs
and filled them, not forgetting a few
utensils.
His next move was to strap blankets
and saddles on the two gentlest horses.
Those he led back to the cave, where he
packed them. After that he had only
to saddle Bay and the gray horse Helen
had ridden there.
Suddenly he thought of Smoky. If
he had been alone, or with another man,
even helpless one, he would have taken
time to find that strange and faithful
robber and have given him decent bur-
taly. But he would not leave the girl
While he stood there, trying to think
what else TO do, he remembered sack
of grain that Hays had packed from
Star Ranch. He found it half full and
tied it on the lighter pack.
He hurried back to the girl, calling:
"Are you ready?"
i've been waiting" she said, and
came swiftly out The riders costume
brought out the rounded grace of her
form. She had braided her hair. The
sombrero he remembered shaded her
face
where are your veil and long coat?"
asked Jim, seeing her as on that un-
forgettable day.
He burned them" she answered in
o stified voice
Get into this" and he held his
slicker for her. 1t enveloped her,
dragged on the ground
We're in for storm. Rain season
due. You must keep dry"