The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1938-05-26

Likely VI. = ulVilS areii't mead
ing this way at all at ALL" Sorley
said. land we're worryin' ourselves
for nothing"
Il hope so," Gray replied. He did
not share the liHe-rider's optimism.
He knew that if he were in Morg
Norris place his urgent impulse
would be to strike for the nearest
point where a horse could be got
Safely
And if they went to the ranch
Miss Ruth might be out g~allivantin'
over the country the way she does"
Pat went on. bolstering up his as
Half the time that girl
spends in the saddle"
Gray pulled up abruptly. Lis.
ten," he said.
To them drifted the sound of a
%galloping horse. Instantly Gray lift
ed his pony to a canter and rode out
of the draw in which they were.
The approaching rider was a wom-
an. He moved forward to meet
her. She caught sight of Sorley
and dragged her horse to a halt.
They've got Ruth" she cried.
"Who?" asked Pat sharply.
Il don't know Two men. IL
got a horse and ran away"
Nelly broke down and began to
sob.
Two men with one horse?" Gray
inquired.
Eyes. They found horses in the
corral, and they made us pack
food"
What d'you mean. they've got
Ruth?" the crook-nosed man asked
grimly.
They're taking her with them.
/ was to 60. too. but I got away like
I said. One Of the men let me CO."
(which one? Did you hear his
name?"
The girl suspended her sobs. She
looked at this hard-faced stranger
whose eyes were like a day Of judg.
ment. His strength communicated
itself to her.
mo. Yes. l did. too. He said his
name was Kansas, and that I was
to tell Mr.. Chiswick he would try to
look after Ruth. He said he was
against taking her and to remem-
Der that they would make first for
the Walsh cabin back of Crowfoot.
That is where they will hide"
Did he call the other man Morg
Norris?"
He called him Morg."
How did Kansas get a chance to
let you go?"
THE other man had sent him out
to rope and saddle horses and I
slipped away to the stable. This
Kansas caught me there. But he
let me go. He pretended to shoot
at me as l rode away"
Gray fired the next question at
'Sorley. "Where is this Walsh cab
in?"
"'Way up in the hills. You fol-
low Lance creek-that's the one
back of the house-pretty near to its
.headwaters. Then you cut across
mighty rough country to Escondido
pass. The Walsh cabin is in a little
park on the yon side of the pass.
Unless you knew where it was, you
wouldn't find it in a hundred years."
you'll have to 60 with me, l
reckon. Sorley. I'd never find it
alone. Well stop at the ranch and
pick up some grub" Gray turned to
Nelly. you're not afraid to ride
alone to meet Chiswick, are your"
She said. No." very obviously.
Good girl" the stranger said
quietly. I'VE wouldn't let you go
.alcne if there was any danger"
"You-you won't let them hurt
Ruth. will you?" she begged.
No muscle in the mans grim i'm
mobile face changed. but the eyes
that looked into hers had a cold
fierce deadliness appalling in its
ruthlessness. He made no threat in
words. no promises.
I'Quien sabe?" he murmured.
A moment later he was galloping
toward the ranch.
They found the place deserted.
Gray flung himself from the saddle,
grounded the reins. and strobe into
the house.
On the kitchen table he found a
note written on the margin OF a
torn piece of newspaper.
Dear Lee,
I'VE had to borrow some grub for
our honeymoon in the hills.
"Your son-in-law.
'Morg Norris"
I'll DTER ~