The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-11-07
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 |, Dona accepted the ruling with it. She had learned to have Q great man who served as company ooc- tor
 She spent an impatient morning waiting for news from Che room down the hall. Asper came in twice but his assurances that Stan was | getting on well did not ease Dona's longing to 60 to him. That afternoon Asper carried Dona out on the porch and fixed her in a maeB of pillows where she could look out over the valley. He sat down beside her and gazed re- fectively out over his timber hold ings.
 .sTeil me what really happened to you while you were riding?" DOna finally asked.
 "I rode down into Pass Creek" Asper began.
 "And found just what I found" Dona cut in. II tried to tell you but you would. never let me-" Asper nodded. T wish had lis- tened "And then what?" 'I caught Swergin on the trail and disarfned him. I intended to bring him in but one of his men came up behind us and I was cov- cred. Swergin took me to a cabin and tied me up." Asper's eyes grew dark as he remembered. "He threatened you?" Dona ask nS lxrnn hIooolv
 "He told me his whole scheme of robbery, then went out and set fire to the cabin" Asper tossed his black cigar away.
 "The coward!" Dona gasped. sBal1 came in and saved me. I sent him on down here to head Swergin off and I stayed to fight the fire and keep it out of the tim ber." Asper stopped as though about to add something. "Did Stan Ball tell you why he came back?" Dona asked.
 Her question was answered by a voice from the steps. Dona and Asper turned to see a dusty cow- boy standing grinning at them; 1t was Malloy. "I went after him." Malloy stated briefly.
 "You did?" Asper showed his
 "You knew. Stan Ball was not what we thought?" Dona asked slowly.
 'Knew it from the start but he | would never let me say a word or butt in." Malloy sat down on the top step. He was hot and tired, but he was eager for news about Stan, '.Is the kid all right?" he asked.
 "You can see him tomorrow Asper promised.
 "Did that rat, Swergin, get in a shot?" Malloy was plainly surpris- ed.
 It was Dona who answered. "1 did 1t. I thought he was getting away with another killing and shot him."
 Malioy looked at her unbelieving. ly for Q full minute, then his grin spread widely. You fan a mean gum" he said and started to get up
 Don't run off: I want to ask you lot of questions" Dona said srpilingly. 9.s s
 Malloy grinned and dropped back on the porch step.
 Asper got up. II better see about my patient" With a wink at Nal. Joy he strode inside.
 1T want you to tell me all abou Stan Ball." Dona said simply | Malloy dodged a reply.
 "How about this fcller, Winters?' Malloy asked bluntly.
 We were not married. We triet to fool father and make him leav this country with us" Dona spok I frankly. too.
 That's why he felt free to ski out with that little senorita iron oyer the ridge" Malloy spoke de liberately. T figured he was abou half all right" | Dona started, then got grip or herself. Malloy had said more thar he might have, had he known tha she only knew half of the story That accounts for all his riding. she said with a smile that hinte( she had known all the time.
 Malloy nodded and got up again "I'll be back if you want me-" ht said as he clanked down the steps
 (To Be Continued)