The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-10-11

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 Certainly. Dad will see that you are properly rewarded" Dona could not help wondering where Swergin had collected so many odd char acters. Carter was an oddity and no mistake. Of course only such men would stay and work under the lash of Swergin's tongue and fists. Three Rivers was certainly . camp of the old school.
 Carter smiled a thin smile but did not add anything.
 You knew Ball-that is, before he started his fight against the Timber Company" Dona was seek ing information.
 "Sure. Knew him fer strappin' big cowpuncher that rode a black horse."
 And you saw him last night?" Dona put the question abruptly.
 "Sure I saw him." Carter re- turned Dona's smile with a defiant glance that fell as she met it. "He steps right in through the big win dow and goes for his guns" Carter made a shift and dropped his good hand to his side.
 "And what did you do?" Dona bent forward, all interest.
 "I went for the gun have in my desk. Then he cut loose and shot my hand" Carter touched the ban
 bona nodded sympathetically. Remember, will see that Father rewards you." She gave him a smile and walked back toward the scene in the big yard..
 Dudley was riding at 8 gallop looking for her. He plunged up and pulled his horse to a ploughing stop in true grandstand style. Where have you been hiding?" he demanded.
 II was poking about" Dona smiled as she noted the flush of ex- citment on. Dudley's face. |.
 "The boys have all gone. I'll be back after a while." He bent and kissed her hand lightly, then gal loped off in great cloud of dust. vanished. In her heart she half hoped Ball was all ready beyond the rim of Folly Mountain. If he were not there was little chance of his ever leaving the slope alive. With a little shake of her head Do- ma ran to her fathers room. Asper was sitting up. It was plain that he had been very busy giving orders, as the floor was tracked with boot marks and cig- aret stumps. Dona crossed to his side and perched on the foot of his bed.
 You have been violating my or- ders again!" she shook a finger under his nose. "Do you want me to move in here and make you be- have?"
 Asper grinned. "I'm the usual ungrateful pt%ient. When I get well fire my loving nurse." He caught her hand.
 "You are not we'll and you're not firing this nursei"
 | "Doc says can sit in a chair on the porch. Now. as a good nurse, you'd better help me out there.' Asper proceeded to swing his feet over the edge of the bed. My slip pers, nurse!" he called, as though Dona were in the next room. A tender smile spread over the girls face as she ran for the slip pers. Asper was nearly his old self again and would be we'll in no time. For a moment she was really happy and 8 great weight lifted from her heart.
 Asper insisted on having his chair placed so that he could watch upper clearing. He was eager to get tho vor0y first Y,ovtyo nF tho oo ,,f,,ro of Ball.
 They'll have him before noon, sure as shotin'," he rumbled.
 Dona smiled and seated herself on the top step. She was eager to see what happened but she was not really anxious to have this hunt succeed. A thought kept bobbing up in her mind that would not be stilled easily. Here were dozens of men going out to get one lone ban- dit. The odds against Ball were 100 to l. He was lone wolf, killer. but that did not lessen the odds.
 Dona's thoughts turned to the previous day and 8 cloud passed over her happiness. Stanley Black had been such a disappointment. More than a disappointment, Dona knew. though she refused to admit it. With white sunlight playing through the green needles above her head and a cedar bird calling from the jack pine behind the build ing, she knew desolation of spirit that even the recovery of her fa- ther could not banish.
 A rider appeared at the edge of the clearing and Dona reused herself. The man came down through the cutting at a gallop. As he came int. view of the corrals belo wa dozen men leaped from the shade of the saddle house and ran for their horses. Dona watch. ed the oncoming rider and noticed that he headed for the corrals. It was evident from the way he lean. ed far over the horse's neck that he was bringing news.
 "Run down to the corrais and see what has happened" Asper De. los voice shook with excitement as he called to DOna. l
 "l'li Do back In c minute," she replied over her shoulder as she ran down tho steps.
 The rider was pulling his mount te . sliding halt ns Dona reached the .ecrrais. Maiiey was first to 'sssD sSs%sss s1' the tail punshsy dvsswi. sd. Nothing seemed to rufrIs or ex' Eft... utNt ... s .asa