The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-10-26

anu everywhere. I've. always Euu6n.
I'd go mad not to get on horse In
this glorious country"
tive done my best. I've told you,"
he said. curtly. as II he were also ad-
dressing his conscience.
II thank you. Mr.. WALL" she said,
quick to catch the change In him. mo
doubt you western folks regard Bernie
as eccentric. And I'm bound to admit
his ranching idea-ripping as 1t is to
us-must appear new and strange to
you. So III compromise. II It's really
dangerous for me to ride about alone,
/ will take you with me. Not, how
ever. that I'd be afraid to go alone.
Then would be perfectly safe, would
not?
Wall fiicked the reins.
Look, Miss Herrick. We're on top
at last. There's your country. The
black snow-capped mountains are the
Henrys. We 60 through that gap-a
paste Star ranch. That purple
space to the left-with the lines and
streaks-that's the desert"
"Ah-h-hl" she had cried out, breath
lessly.
Jim halted the horses and gazed,
himself trying to see with this stran-
gers eyes. He had more-a feeling
that 1t would not be long until the
open wasteland claimed him again.
For him the bursting of one Of the
Henry peaks into volcanic eruption
would be no more startling than what
would accrue from the advent of this
white-faced, golden-haired woman.
Jim drove down the hill, and again
put the blacks to keen gait on
level road, this time straight, white
line across a longer valley. Jim cal
culated that he would beat the time he
had declared, and reach Star ranch be-
fore shutdown.
When he drove past Heeseman's
camp all that worthy's outfit were at
supper. The road passed within fifty
feet of their chuck wagon.
"What a ruffianly crew!" murmured
Miss Herrick. "Who, pray, are these
menu"
part Of the outfit your brother
hired to protect his cattle from
rustlers," replied Jim. Sunny thing
about that is they are rustlers them
selves"
''Deliciously funny, though hardly so
for Bernie. Does he know itY'
mot to my knowledge. Heeseman-
the leader of that gang-came on his
own recommendation and got the job"
"I'll have the fun of telling Bernie.
Oh, what's that. What an
enormous barn! All yellow, And
new one going up. Logs and logs. :.
Look at the horses! ! want to STOP"
mo, Miss Herrick," he replied grim
ly. 'Tll drive you home safely or die
In the attempt. Don't look at
this tall man we're coming to-"
which," she asked, laughingly.
"The one standing farthest out" re-
piled Jim. Hes got on a black SON.
brero. Don't look at him. That's
Hank Hays. :. Miss Herrick, drop
your VEIL"
She obeyed. unobtrusively. though
her silvery laugh pealed out. "You
are teasing, of course. But must re-
ward your effort to entertain me-"
Jim drove by Hays. who stood apart
from a group of cowboys. If he no
ticed Jim at all, 1t was totally OBJ
livious to Jim. But Wallis glance,
never so strained, pierced the shadow
under Hays dark sombrero rim to the
strange eyes below. They were not
pale now. Jim's hand clenched tight
on the reins. He became preoccupied
with the nucleus of the first deadly
thought toward Hays.
Hank Hays. Who is he?" Miss Her
rick was saying.
another of your brothers Wig
ilantes."
ugh! How he stared! But it
wasn't that which struck me most In
India I've seen cobras rise and poise,
ready to strike. And your Mr.. Hays
looked for all the world like a giant
cobra with black sombrero on its
head. Wasn't that silly of met"
4NOt silly. All IuSIlllCI- DELL
preservation" returned Jim, sternly.
She passed that by, but only perhaps
because she caught sight Of the ranch
house up the slope. Here her en-
thusiasm was unbounded. Herrick
stood On the porch steps with his dogs.
He wore high boots and red coat. He
waved.
Presently Jim refined In the sweating
horses before the steps. He was most
curious to see the meeting between
brother and sister. She stood up.
Bernie, old top, here am" she
said, gayly.
Eyes, here you are, Helen" he re-
piled, and stepped out to help her
alight. did you have nice trip?"
"Ripping-from Grand Junction in"
They did not embrace or even shake
hands. Jim, coming to himself. leaped
out and began removing the bags.
Barnes, whom he had totally forgot
ten, jumped out on the other side.
Barnes. carry the bags In. Jim.
hurry the blacks down They're hot.
You must have pushed them"
eyes, sir. Stage was late, but we
made up for It"
"Helen's where's that Wells-Fargo
packageT queried Herrick.
"Here In my satchel. Oh, Bernie,
it's good to get home-if this can be
home"
Come In and take off that VEIL" he
said, and with his arm In hers led her
up on the porch.
TO BE CONTINUED.