The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-10-01

married" The words slipped from | her lips almost tonelessly. |
 Dudley aroused himself with | jerk and came forward. He seemed unable to speak. Asper took | the paper without a word and uri- | folded 1t. He stared at 1t for a full minute before he spoke. | "Sam Dean married you," he said slowly. His anger seemed to have melted and his hand was shaking. why, D, you should have told me! This has been pretty poor honey moon!"
 "Now you see why I wanted you to give all this up and come back with us?" Dona's eyes were cloud ed with tears.
 | Asper's gaze rose to Dudley's
 face. Dudley blushed and stam- mered, II sort of overlooked asking for the bride."
 Stan Ball tried to pull himself l away from the window but he could not. He was fascinated by the starry, tear-drenched eyes of the | girl he loved. He felt an urge to leap through the window and shake Dudley Winters savagely. Why didn't the fool comfort her? Why didn't lie take her in his arms and kiss those tears away? Asper Delo's deep voice broke in on his thoughts.
 1T guess I'm an old fol but Swer- gins blundering made me see red, Of course your happiness Is all that really counts with me. Now what do you want to do?"
 "We want you to stay in bed for | couple more days and then go back with us and help us get q home fixed up." Dona's soft alto was tremulous.
 Sure. that's just what we want" Dudley seemed suddenly to have come to his senses.
 Stan Ball pulled back from the | window. Dona had been keeping | the marriage from her father. one | thing relieved him. That was that Asper Delo would be out of the man hunt. He would have only Swergin and his gang to worry | with. Stan's anger against Asper Delo had suddenly lost its edge. He determined to get away regardless of whether he was caught making his escape or not.
 Asper Delo's voice rolled out into the night. It was softer now and held hint of mellowness. The old timber king was complete ly taken back by the new twist of events. He cared more for Dona than for all his timber workings. He completely lost his wrathy an- ger as the two young folks stood before him, flushed and happy. You tell Swering to take care of Ixt Ls AN .,,tA he gets his man. He need not re- youngsters run along and let an old man think a bit." Asper lay back among the pillows and smiled.
 I'm sorry 1t came about like this," Dudley stepped to Asper's side as he spoke. But I'll take care of Dona and make her happy.
 Asper raised on one elbow. You'd better, young man. You'd better!" He sank back and half closed his eyes as q sign of dismiss sal.
 Dudley caught Dona's arm and pushed her gently from the room. Ball remained fiattened against the wall. A wave of loneliness swept over him bitter wave carrying with 1t a wild reminder of what he had become. He could not even see Dona again or be near her. He would have to strike for the Mex ican border and live by his gun. That is the law of the man who Is branded killer. He can never turn back. His guns must always swing ready at his hip for he is outside of society.
 Stan took a deep breath and edged back along the wall. He did not halt at Dona's window but slid past 1t. A light shone out from under the blinds and he could hear voice inside but he did not wish to eavesdrop.
 He had reached the corner of the building and was about to turn and retrace his steps to the place where he had left the cache of food when he felt hard, fingerlike object jab him in the back. A gruff voice commanded, "Put 'em up, Ball, and keep 'em up!"
 Twisting his head as he raised his arms Stan could make out the bulky figure of Swergins behind him. In the dim light he could see a flendish grin on the thick lips of the timber boss.
 (TO Be COntinucd)