The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-09-28
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1 them coming. He held up his arms | to Dona but she slid to the ground una. listed. Like e flash she whirl- ed upon her uninvited rescuer. Her blue eyes blazed black and she swung the light quirt that hung at
 her wrist. With a wicked snap she
 slashed out with 1t and struck Swergin across the cheek. That rawhide lashes on the quirt left purple welts across the wind-hard-
 ened skin. but his eyes hardened. Slowly his | lips pulled into a grin. You're a
 little hell-cat when you can't have your way" he said slowly.
 Dudley, who had stepped back at Dona's sudden action. crowded
 close to Swergin's stirrup. What
 have you been up tor" he fiared.
 swergin bent low and his grin
 vanished. eff you had any
 brains or any sand you'd watch this
 kid and keep her out of the timber
 I ought to plant one right on your pretty nose. You need something to bring you around."- Dudley opened his mouth twice but he.was too angry to speak. Do-
 na pulled him back.
 "We're going inside, Dud. I'll set | tie with this fellow later."
 Swergin bowed and rode away without any trace of concern. Do- na unable to control herself, burst out, "He acts as though he owned the works at Three Rivers!" 1T would have taken punch at him but he has been of service to you and your father, Dudley
 grined. "Boy, you're a knocKout Dona halted just inside the door. had while she smoothed her wind- ruffled hair with the other. Her anger vanished rapidly and she joined Dudley's laugh.
 I guess I'll have to take 1t all back and be nice to him. But the | way he bosses me around makes me furious. We owe him so much
 I will have to take 1t, l guess. I'm sorry I slapped him."
 'Slapped?" Dudley screwed his
 mouth into a comical twist. Don't ever slap mel"
 It didn't even make him finch , What was the beginning of all this?" Dudley demanded.
 'Swergin caught our bad man,
 Ball, trailing me and wounded him. wanted to stay and help him catpure the outlaw but he packed
 me home" Dona explained briefly.
 "I agree with him. From now
 on you stay in camp!" Dudley tried to appear masterful.
 And you get the same answer as Swergin-no!" Dona turned and
 walked to her fathers room. Asper was awake and very rest
 less. He greeted Dona with a question as she entered. Have they got Ball yet?"
 "No, Dad, but. swergin wounded him and is on his way right now to bring him in." Dona pated her fathers hand and pushed him gen. tly down on his pillow. "Remem- Der what the doctor told you-no getting into a fret and no moving around until he says so!'
 Hang the doctor! If Ball isn't brought in. within the next AS hours I'll get up and go after him syself. I have a score to settle with that COW puncher!" Asper settled back in spite of himself and flush of pain crossed his face.
 "swergin will bring him in" Dona promised.
 "When he does Ball is to be
 brought here. Understand? have a lot to tell that coyote" Asper closed his eyes and lay still. Dona sat beside him, a worried frown on her face. He seemed much worse than when she had left him. She hoped Swergin would bring Ball in and end the tense ness of the situation. Asper drifted into a troubled sleep and Dona walked to the window. Folly Mountain rose high above and seemed to froun down on the camp. Somehow she did not believe the timber boss would bring Ball in. The man was becoming almost like mythical character. She had seen flashes of him. had heard the men say they had seen him and with him.
 Her thoughts drifted back over what seemed weeks ago instead of days to the man who had saved her from the thugs who had kid- naped her. She wondered if Stan ley Black was riding a near range. She would have been glad to have gone to him with her troubles just then.
 An idea came to her. She would ride to Blind River at the next chance and see for herself what the situation was. She could inquire there for Stanley Black. This deci- sion made her smile as she thought of Swergin and Dudley. They would both have to be dodged carefully and they would both be angry when she told them where she had gone.
 Asper stirred, groaned and Dona returned to his side. He was mutt tering in his sleep in angry num- bling tones. Suddenly panic struck at Dona's heart. Perhaps she should take him to the city. But would he go? All at once she re- membered the marriage certificate that had been signed. If she had to, she would use that, but first she wanted to, slip away and ride to Blind River. She would have her chanca the next morning and she