Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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p. ' II m CA PlUN my11 iii | ^ J|TMB DBV CX3JOV7S7G^Hrr JSY (Continucd from laat week) "The Chinaman seems to have gone home," the mistress of the room said quietly. "At least he Is not on this floor or in the office, and I could see nothing of Tlramons anywhere." -.v? "Then I suppose we don't drink," complained Miss La Rue. "Well, I might as well go to bed. There ain't much else to do in this Jay town." She got up and moved toward the door. . ^ "If you're only here viewing the scenery, I guess you won't remain long." "Not more than a day or so. I am planning a ride into the mountains befnra ?? ?* ** ivmiuis, pieasanuy. "l hope I shall see you again." "You're quite liable to," an ugly curl to the lip, "jnaybe more than you'll want. Good-night." Miss Donovan stood there motionless after the door closed behind her guest. She was conscious of the sting In those final wordff, the half-expressed threat, \>ut the smile did not desert her lips. Her only thought was that the other was angry, irritated over her failure, her inability to make a report to her masters. She looked at the valise on the floor, and laughed outright, but as her eyes lifted once more she beheld her traveling salt draped over the head-board of the bed, and instantly the expression of her face changed. She hod forgotten hanging it there. That must huve been where the woman went when she disappeared. It was not to rummage the 1.^,1 -? ^ uwi hi. mi, oui vo nastny run through the pockets of her jacket. The girl swiftly crossed the room and filing coat and skirt onto the bed. She remembered now thrusting the telegram from Farriss into a pocket on the mftrning of its receipt. It was gone! Her first thought was to search elsewhere, although she immediately realized the uselesness of any such attempt. The message had been in her pocket, as she recalled distinctly; she had fully Intended destroying it at the same time she had torn up the letter of Instruction, but failed to do so. Now it was In the hands of the La Hue woman, and would be shown to the others. It was some time before she could recall to memory the exact wnrrlIno a# /-.?? ?> ? L..i. ** ?1 *? ,A ICICKIUiU, UUl llllitliy 11 came to her bit by bit: "If any clueH, advise Immediately. Willis digging hard. Letter of Instruction follows. "FAItRISS." There wm uo mention of names, yet these people could scarcely fait to recognize that this had reference to the Cavendish case. The thought of personal danger never once entered her mind. Timidity was not part of her nature and she gave this phase of the matter no thought. But she must communicate with Westcott, tell him all that had occurred. She would send him a note the first thing In the morning. Somewhat reassured by this reasoning, she was still seated there, stnring out into the night, when Enrlght and Beaton returned. Stella beard the tread of horses' feet, before her eyes distinguished the party approaching, and she drew back cautiously. In the glow of the light she could perceive four men in saddle halt In front of the hotel, three of whom dismounted and entered the building, the fourth grasping the reins of the riderless animals and leading them up the street. She heard the murmur of voices below and the heavy steps of the men as they came slowly un the stairs. Then a door opened creaklngly and she caught the sound of a woman's voice. "Is thnt you, Ned?" "Sure; what are you doing up at jgf this hour?" "Never mind that. Who have you got with you?" "Enright and Lacy?why?" j "I want ydu all to come In here a minute; don't make so much noise." A voice or two grumbled, but feet shuffled along the bare floor and the j door creaked again as It was carefully 1 closed behind them. Stella opened iter S The. Best 1 Family Ren Because it woi remedies have c< IsL I Chesterfield 1 Eg D. H. DOUGLASS, President . W. J. DOUGLASS, Vice- Pres. B ALSO FIRE, ACCIDENT, ] 1 IN SI . We Buy mm* Sell Re !ika rrfcHGEpk ,j-E a "Ml OR. OF" 1L.*?9 OWN" JB rHgJ^ORTH " ETC. p* " ;?4yVZ34Z-C. J24A?AZ/cXfy ? "Keep Still, You Tiger Cat," Ho Hissed. own door a crnck and listened; the hall, lighted only by a single oil-ln?ip at the head of the stairs, was deserted and silent. She stole enutlously forward, but the voices In Miss La Rue's room were muflled and indistinct, not an audible word reuching her ears. The key was In the lock, shutting out all view of the Interior. Well, what was the difference? She knew what was occurring within?the stolen telegram was being displayed, and discussed. That would not delay them long and It would never do for her to be discovered In the hall. Convinced of the uselessness of remaining, she returned to her own room, closing and bolting the door. This time she removed some of hei clothing, and lay down on the bed conscious of being exceedingly tired, yet In no degree sleepy. She rested J there, with wide-open eyes, listening until the distant door creaked again, and she heard the footsteps of the men in iiie hall. They had not re. mnlned In the chorus girl's room long nor wus anything said outside tc I arouse her suspicions. Reassured Miss Donovan snuggled down Into hei pillow, unable to distinguish where th? , men went, but satisfied they had sought their rooms. They would attempt nothing more that night, anc she had better gain what rest sh? I could. It was not easy falling asleep ; In spite of the silence, but at last sht . dropped off Into a doze. I Suddenly some unusual nolst j aroused her, and she sat upright, unable for the moment to comprehend what had occurred. Then something i tingled at the glass of her window sharply distinct, as though a pebblt had been tossed upward. Instnntlj she was upon her feet, and had crossec 1 the room, her head thrust out. Th? l light In the office had been extlnI gulshed, and the night was black, yel , she could make out dimly the figure ol j a man close In against the side of th? I house, a mere hulking shadow. At the same Instant he seemed to mov? slightly, and some missile grazed hei face, and fell upon the floor, striking the rug with a dull thud. She drew hack In alarm, yet Immedlatels grasped the thought that this must b< some secret message, some communication from Westcott. Drawing down the torn curtain she touched a match to the lamp anc sought the Intruding missile. It hac rolled beneath the bed?a small ston< 1 with a bit of paper securely attached The girl tore this open eagerly, hei eyes searching the few lines. "Must see you tonight. IIav? learned things, and am going away nedy rks when all other . rased to work ife Insorence r w ^ Loan & Ins. (Jo. C. C. DOUGLASS, Sec'y & Mgr. GEO. W. EDDINS, Treasurer. HEALTH, HAIL, LIVE STOCK JRANCE al Estat*?M?ney Go down back stairs, and meet me at i big cottonwood behind hotel; don't I fall. J. W.w I Her breath came fast as she read, and crunched the paper Into the palm of her hand. She understood, and felt no hesitancy. Westcott had made dlscoverles so important he must communicate them at once and there wat no other way. He dare not come tc her openly at that hour. Well, sh< was not afraid?not of Jim Westcott She paused In her hasty dressing, wondering at herself, dimly aware that a new feeling partly actuated her desirt to meet the man again?a feeling thor onghly alien to the Cavendish mystery. She glanced Into the cracked mirror and laughed, half ashamed al i her eagerness, yet utterly unable t<i I suppress the quickened beat of hei pulse. She was ready almost in a minute, | and had blown out the ^amp. She atj most held her breath as she opened ! the door silently and crept out into the hall. Twenty feet down this passage ended In a door. Tills was unlocked, and yielded easily to the grasp of her hand. It opened upon a narrow platform, and she ventured forth. At the bottom she was In a gloom alj most Impenetrable, but her feet felt a cinder path ?.nd against the slightly lighter sky her eyes managed to dls, tlngulsh the guunt Umbs of a tree not j far distunt, the only one visible and doubtless the Cottonwood referred to In the note. Sh"ir-'!ng there In the black shadow of the building she realized suddenly the terror of her position?the ,'nteuse iloiiolinr.HM: the silence seemed ta i smite her. Still it wns not far to the t treo, aud surely there could be no dan-( g*-r at this hour. If there bad been Westcott would never have asked her to come. The very recurrence of bis ha trie gave her strength and courage. | It was a rough path, sandy, inter- , spersed with small rocks, and led down Into a gully. The tree stood on the opposite bank", which was so steep , site bad to grasp Its outcropping roots | in order to pull herself up. Kvon after gaining footing she saw nothing of Westcott, heard no sound indicating his presence. Suddenly something moved to her right, nnd she 1 shrank back against the tree, uncertain if the shapeless tiling approaching was man or beast. He was almost , upon her before she was sure; then ' ' her lips gave utterance to a little sob j , of relief. "Oh ! You frightened me so!" | The man stopped, scarcely a yard away, a burly figure, but with face indistinguishable. ' "Sorry to do that," he said, "but no 1 noise, please." Sim shrunk hack to the edge of the hank, conscious of the grip of a great 1 fear. j "You?you are not Mr. Westcott?" she choked. "Who are you? What Is it you want?" "You've been piayin' in a game what's none o' your business. Now I reckon it's the other party's turn to throw some cards. Thought yer was comin' out yere ter meet up with Jim Westcott, didn't yer?" She made no answer, desperately seeking some means of escape, the full significance of her position clear before her. "Got a nice little note from Jim,*' the fellow went on, "an' lost no time a gittln' yere. Well, Westcott is not linhle to be sendln' fer yer again very soon. What ther h " una ansnea rorwara, seeking to j place the trunk of the tree between I them, the unexpected movement so i sudden, she avoided his grasp. But ' success was only for an Instant. An- I [ other hand gripped her, hurling her ! back helplessly. "You are some sweet little lady's I man, Moore," snarled a new voice ' rasplngly. "Now let me hundle this business my own way. Go get that 1 team turned around. I'll bring the 1 girl. Come on now, miss, and the less you have to say the better." She grasped at the bnrk, but the 1 fellow wrenched her loose, forcing her ' ' 1 forward. "Keep still, you d tiger ' cat," he hissed, "or I'll quiet you fer 1 iood." "What Is It you want of me? Who : i are you?" "We'll discuss that later. Just now, | ' move on?yes, straight ahead. You i < see that wagon over there? Well, that ' Is where you are bound at present. ' Move on pronto." She realized the completeness of i the trap Into which she had fallen, I the futility of resistance. She was as helplessly In his power as though j i hound and gagged. Refore them ap- i peared the dim outline of n canvas- | rovemi yvhkuii Hiiiiuufi it'u ukhiiimi iiiw sky. to which was hitched n team ot , ' horses. j < As they approached, the shapeless figures of two men appeared In the i gloom, one nt the head of the team and the other holding hack the canvas j i top. Her guard gripped her a#tm, and peered about through the darkness. "Isn't Ned here yet?" "Yes, all right," answered a muffled 1 voice to the left. "I Just came out; I here are the grips and other things." "And about the note?" "She wrote that, and pinned It on the pillow." "Good, that will leave things In fine shape," he laughed. "I'd like to see Jim's face when he reads that, and the madder he gets the less he will know what to do." j "And yon want us to stay?" asked I the other doubtfully. "^toy?of course; I am Roinj? to fay myself. It Is the only way to divert suspicion. Good Lord, man, II we all disappeared at once they would ( ; know easy enough what had happened, < Don't you believe Westcott Is that kind , of a fool. All ready, Joe?" The r.ian at the wagon mnttered ( Home response. , "Then up you go, miss; here, put , A. F. DAVIS MARKET The Finest Freah Meet* I i ne neat fancy tiroceriea High Grade Canned Goods The Beet of Everything for the Table |faF. pAVIS MARKET your foot on the wheel; give her a lift, 1 will you?" i Anxious to escape further Indlgnl- r ties, and comprehending the useless* c ness of any further struggle, with a ? man on either side of her. Miss Pono- s van silently clnmhered Into the wagon, a and seated herself on a wide henro, f evidently arranged for thnt purpose. I The fellow who had held back the top <3 followed, and snuggled Into the seat t beside her. She noticed now he held 1 a gun In his hand, which ho deposited t between his knees. All Ret?" ! c "Sure." |s "Well, keep awakot Joe, and mind c what I told yer. Now, Moore, tip with 1 you, and drive like h ; you must I be In the bad lands before dnyllght." a A fellow clambered to the seat In front, his figure outlined against the I sky, nnd picked up the reins. "Whoa, there, now; quiet, Jerry, i Did you say I was to take the ridge road?" J "You bet; It's all rock nnd will leave 8 no trail. Take It easy and quiet un- a til you are beyond Hennessey's ranch, f and then give them the whip." c The next moment they were under wny, slowly advancing through the r darkness. r ? I CHAPTER VIII. _ 1 In the 8hoshone Desert. 1 Excited as she was, and frightened, the girl was still composed enough 8 to grasp the nature of her surroundings, and she had time now, ns the wagon rumbled forward, to think over all that had been said, and fit It Into the circumstances. What did they propose doing with her? The question caused her blood to run cold. That these people were desperate she had every reason to believe; they were battling for big stakes; not even murder had hitherto stood In their wny. Why then, should they hesitate to take her life, if they notually deemed It necessary to the final success of their plans? She remembered what Benton had said about her room?the condition In which It 5 had been left. They had removed all her things, and left n note behind in ' womanly handwriting to explain her ! hurried departure. There was a mas- |[ ter criminal mind, watchful of every N detail, behind this conspiracy. lie ? was guarding against every possibility ^ of rescue. ] The uncertainty, the fear engen- * dered by her thought, the drear silenee almost caused her to scream. ; But she oon<ruerod this. The gray dawn enme at last, spec- j ; tral and ghastly, gradually yielding glimpse of the surroundings. They * were traveling steadily south, the * horses beginning to exhibit traces of weariness, yet still keeping up ? dogged trot. All about extended a wild, desolate scene of rock and sanjJ, bounded on every horizon by barren u ridges. Nowhere was there slightest sign of life?no bird, no beast, no snake even, crossed their path. All f was dead, silent, stricken with desola- j, tion. y Stella stared about at it, and closed i< her eyes, unable to hear the sight; her r head drooped wearily, every nerve giv- t Ing away before the depressing scene " outspread In every direction. Slkes, c wntrhlnr her slightest movement, h seemed to sense the meaning of the notion. r "Bad, ain't it?" he said expressive- .s ly. "You know whar we are?" "No; hut I never before dreamed ^ nny spot could he so terrible." "This Is the Shoshone desert; thar ain't nobody ever comes In yore Yept ? wunst In a while n prospector, maybe, er a hand o' cattle rustlers. Even the f Injuns keep out." ( She lifted her eyes again, shudder- j Ing as they swept about over the dls- ^ mnl waste. The sup rose a red ball of fire, color- r Ing the ridges of sand, and painting ' the grotesque rocks with crimson streamers. In the shadow of a bald cliff the wagon was halted briefly, and the two men brought forth materials from within, making a hasty fire, and preparing hreakfast. Water was given the team nlso, before the journey was resumed; while during the brief halt the girl was left to do as she pleased. Then they moved on again, surrounded by the same drear landscape, the very depression of It keeping them Nllflll. J They settled down to the same H nonotony, mile after mile. The way f became rockier, with less sand, hnt j, with no more evidence of life. Far f away ahead a strange buttress of rock f rose Into the sky resembling the tur- p ret of a huge chstle. The sun was directly overhead when Moore turned ^ his team suddenly to the left, and j drove down a sharp declivity leading Into a ravine. "Prop the canvas, Joe," he said < shortly, "there's only 'bout a mile j more." t The passage was so narrow, and so f diversified l?y sharp turns, that Miss I Donovan, shut in behind the closed V cover, could perceive little of Its nn- 1 tune. The cliffs arose precipitously on either side, absolutely hare. To c the left nothing could he seen but black rock, hut on the other side nn open space yawned, perhaps twenty I feet across. Its bottom Imperceptible, t The horses stumbled over the rough Rtones, hold only by Moore's firm grip \ on the reins, and the light began to i fade as they descended. At last notli- fi Ing appeared above but a narrow strfp g of sky, and the glimmer of sun had totally vanished. Almost at the same li moment the driver released the creak- t ing brake, and at a trot the wagon <1 swept forward between two pinnacles >f rock, and came out Into an open t ralley. " The transition was so sudden and t startling ns to cause the girl to give t utterance to a cry of surprise. They t tvere In a green, watered valley, a ;lear stream wandering here and there c - - ?? r To prevent a cold take 666. 8 GASOLINE SYSTEMS Oil .Tanks and Pumps, Air Compressors, Computing Scales Floor Scales, Show Cases, Account Registers. Rebuilt Cash Registers, Safes, Store Fixtures. jLHAMg^WS^LE3 q?. y hrongh Its center," shadowed by troves of trees. This valley was learly square, possibly extending not ver a mile In either direction, merely i great hole rimmed by desert, a it range, hidden oasis, rendered fertile ind green by some outburst of resh water from the rocks. Emergng upon It In midst 01 the barren lesolatlon through which they bad eon toiling for hours, blinded by nl:all dust, It seemed like some beauIful dream, a fantasy of imagination. Miss Donovan doubted the evidence ?f her own eyes, half convinced that ihe slept. It was Moore's voice which iroused her. "Mendez must have got hack, Joe," le said eagerly. "There are horses ind cattle over yonder." The other pushed up the canvas and ooked out. "That's right. The fellow Is comln' iow?see?" He was loping along carelessly, Jexlcan from high hat to Jingling purs, sitting the saddle as though nolded there, a young fellow, dark aeed, but with a livid scar nlong one heek. "Juan Oaterns, the little devil," fluttered Sikes, as the rider drew icarer "There's some pot brewing if io Is In It." The rider drew up his horse, and ! Ifted his hat, his smiling lips reveal- 1 tig a row of white teeth. "A pleasant day, senor," he said raclously, his dark eyes searching the A Pleasant Day, Senor," He Said Graciously. aces of the two men, and then dwellng with interest on tlie woman. "Ah, I our pardon, seuorita; your presence s more than welcome here." He ested one hand on the wagon box, he expression of his face hardening. Yet an explanation might not be out if place?the Senor Mcngez may not ie pleased." "We came under orders from Lacy," j spiled Moore confidently. "You have j een us both before." "True, but not the lady; you will ell me about her?" nlhtihnrl /lnwn nvnr thn u-hnol "It Is like this, senor," ho began. ' 'Lnoy did not know your party was ' iere; he thought you were all south; or another month yet. He would keep his girl quiet, out of the way for a lnie. She is from New York, and i mows too much." "Prom New York?" The quick eyes >f the Mexican again sought her face. 'She Is to he held prisoner?" "Yes, senor." "Then I will ride with you to Menlez; 'tis well to have the matter iromptly over with." The wagon rumbled on, Moore urgng the wearied team with whip and 'olce to little result. Sikes remained ?n foot, glad of the change, striding ilong In front, while the Mexican rode leside the wheel, his equipment jin- | :llng, the sunlight hashing over his right attire, lie made a rather galnnt figure, of which he was fully conclous, glancing frequently aside into he shadow beneath the canvas top to rain glimpse of Its occupant. At last heir eyes met, and he could no hng r forbear speech, his English expresilon a hit precise. "Pardon, senorita, T would be held mur friend." he murmured, leaning loser. "You know Senor Mendez?" She shook her head negatively. " 'TIs strange! Yet I forget you ome from New Turk Thev know llm hero on this border. If yon ask heso nion they will toll yon. Flvon Sonor Lacy takes his orders from ^nseual Mondoz. Ho oaro not who ho till, who ho fight?some day It como lis turn, and then ho lihorato Mexico ?see? Tho day It? not yet, hut it. will OHIO." "But you. sonor?" "I am his lieutenant?Juan CYderas,' ind lie bowed low, "and I ride now tf ell him of his truest." Shf Watched him as he spuriod for vard, proud of his Horsemanship, anf nuking every effort to attrnct her at pntlen. Moore turned in his sent, and rlneed. "Some tin soldier," he said sneeragly, "that's a feller T always wanted er kick, an' some day I'm a go In' tor lo tt." The wagon lurched down n steep ?ank, splashed Its way across the naro\v stream and up the other side, the torses straining in their harness to he sharp snap of the driver's whip. A owerlnir nroeinloo of ruck cntifnuitml hern, and at Its very foot stood two 'ablns of log eonstniction, so closely esenibllng their stone background as o be almost Imperceptible at the dlannce of a few yards. Sikea leaned on lis rifle waiting, and as Moore halted :he panting team and leaped over the vheel to the ground Caterns camo 'orth from one of the open doors and :rossod the Intervening space on foot, tie was smoking a cigarette, the blue nrreath of smoke circling above his - -- ?MHV you roilie Will) !lll()!!H!r. flow (lo wo know what may roult from such nets? What shoriff's posse may ho on ] your trail? Hill Lacy! Dios! if Hill i Lacy would make prisoners, lot him keep them soniowhoro oise than here. Mondez takes no prisoners?he knows a better way than doing tilings like that." "Hut, sonor, this is a woman." "Of which I am well a\v;ro," bowing gallantly. "Otherwise T should not have Interfered and ottered my sen- j ices. You know what to do with your team; then the both of you report to , Casns at the upper camp?you know him?" "Yes, senor." "Tell him I sent you. He will have Ids orders; they are that you be shot if you attempt to leave before Mendcz Rives the word. "Pis not long now till we learn who is chief here;?Hill Lacy or Hascual Mendcz. Come, senoritu, e" I "Come, Take This Spitfire. Caramha! We'll Teach Her!" presume, t<i Senor Monde/.? T nm at) Amorionn woman, end you will yol pay dearly for this out rape. I demand nr. Inter* D* . tvith the hief and refuse to go with you until it is granted." "You refuse! Hal" and lie hurst Into laughter. "Why. what power 1 nvo you pot. you little fool? Do you know where you are? What fear do tgp have of your d Americanos. None!" and ho snapped Ills lingers derisively. "We spii on the dogs. 1 will show you ?come!" ITe gripped her shoulder in Ids lean hand, his eyes glaring Into her faee savagely. The grasp hurt, and a sudden anger spurred her to action. With i ? "? frwd hfCTritjaa. ?" """ Concealing a dread that was almost overpowering, yet realizing the lnipos- , nihility of resistance, Stella permitted j liim to touch her hand and assist her to clamber over the wheel. Under some conditions the change in captors might have been welcomed?certainly she felt no desire to remain in the hands of the two who had brought her j there, for Sikes, plainly enough, was a i mere drunken brute, and Moore, while ! of somewhat liner fiber, lacked the | courage and manhood to ever develop j into a true friend. Yet she would have infinitely preferred such as these?men, at least, of her own race?to this smirking Mexican, hiding his devilish instincts behind a pretense at gallantry. lie had hastened ahead to Mendez; told a tale In his own way, rendering t lie chief's suspicions of Lacy more acute and thus gaining permission to assume full charge. Her only hope was to go herself into tlie presence of the leader and make a plea to him face to face. Cateras. smiling, pressed her arm with his lingers. "This way, senorita." ?> .....i i? t.; . _t.? "tin, <11111 lin 1-^ ? ? HUM 111*, SIIIIYVIn>f no sifin of fenr. "You tnko me I " y Lucky ST! e I cigarette l^L^V c!IA ?> Ol ?<?? .?. ?^ iu> loais'^y I o:ire," he s?ld almost insolently. "Your hand, senoritn." Miss Donovan hesitated. Moore broke the silence with a protest. "In your care, senor? The girl la here as prisoner to Hill Lacy." "So I told Mendez," he said indifferently. "Hut he Is in ill humor this morning a?d took small interest in the affair. It was only when I promised to take fall charge that he consented to your remaining at all." "If there is evil done, the debt will he paid." Cateras laughed, one hand ut his incipient mustache. "Billy Lacy, you mean, no doubt. That Is a matter for him to settle with Mendez. It is not my affair, for I only obey my chief. However, sonors, 'tis no evil that is contemplated, only wo prefer guarding the secrets of this valley ourselves. That is what angers Mendez, the fact that Lacy uses this rendezvous as a prison during our absence. We found one here when wo returned?guarded by an American. * *.,'^sj snatched the "Heavy driver's whip from Moore's hand. The next Instant, before the astounded Mexican conld even throw up his arm In defense, the infuriated girl struck, the stinging | lash raising a red welt across the \ swarthy cheek. Caterns staggered back, his lips giving utterance to a \ curse. Again she struck, but this time his fingers gripped the leather and tore It from her hands with sufficient force to send her to her knees. With a spring forward the man held her In his grasp, all tiger now, the pretense at gentleness forgotten. He Jerked her to her feet with fingers clutching her neck mnrollnuul tr "Here Silva, Merodez," he' cried, "come take this spitfire. Caramba I We'll teuch her.' Two men ran from between the huts and Cateras llung her, helpless from her choking, Into their grasp. "Take her within?no, there; the second door, you fools." Breathless from effort, a mere child In their grip. Miss Donovan struggled vainly. They forced her through the door and Cateras, still cursing furiously, followed, the whip In his hnnds. CHAPTER IX. Westcott Finds Himself Alone. It never occurred to Westcott on his escape through the darkness that his night's adventure would in any way endanger Miss Donovan. He was on the property of La Koslta Mining company upon his own account, and not In reference to the Cavendish case at all ?or, at least, this last was merely incidental. From where he lay he could see across the hare, rock-strewn hillside to the distant hut, outlined by the gleam of light within, and perceive the black silhouette of the sluifthouse. He could dimly distinguish figures as they ? passed In and out of the glare Of light,^ _ and was aware that Moore had been found and carried within the hut, hut remained Ignorant of the fact that the leaving of u knife in the window had revealed his identity. There was no attempt at pursuit, which gave him confidence that Lacy failed to comprehend the importance of what had been overheard, yet he clung to his hidingplace until all the men had re-entered the olfice. It was late the next morning before Westeott rode Into Haskell and, stnbllng his horse, which bore all the mnrks of hard riding, proceeded toward the Timmons house. He had utilized, as best ho could, the hours ' since that cavalcade had departed from Ln Itositu to put his own affairs In order so that ho might feel free to camp on the conspirators' trail and risk all in an effort to rescue Clnven. Jk dish. The night hiul been a hard ono, but Westeott was still totally unconscious of fatigue?his whole thought centered on his purpose. As he rode slowly up the street in the bright sunlight his mind reverted to Stella Donovan. Eager for the greeting which ho felt assured awaited him, he strode through the open door Into the office. The room was vacant, but as ho crossed the lloor toward the desk the proprietor entered the opening leading into the barroom beyond. "llello, Jim!" he cried at sight of the other. "Thought you'd be back, but d It, yer too late?she's?she's gone; almighty pretty girl, too. I told the boys It was a blame shame fer her ter run off thataway." "Who has run off?" And Westcott's hand crushed down on the man's shoulder. "What.are you talking about?" "Me! Let up. will yer? Ter was here hopin' ter see that New York girl, wasn't yer?" "Miss Donovan? Yes." "I'd forgot her name. Well, she ain't yere?she's left." "Left?gone from town?" '">>ure; skipped out sudden in the night ; took the late train East, I reckon. Never sod no word to nobody-? Jusi naturally packed up her duds an* -? *" hiked." w osteon drew a deep breath. "Surely you do not mean she left without any explanation? She must have paid her bill." "<>h, she was squat* enough?sure. Site left money an' a note pinned to her pillow; sed she'd Just got a message eallin' her home?want ter see whut she wrote?" "You bet I do. Timmons!" Tinuuons waddled around behind the desk and ran his hand into a drawer. Evidently lse considered the matter a huge joke, but Westcott snatched the paper from his finders Impatiently and eagerly read tlie few hastily penciled lines: "Have received a message calling me East at once. Shall take the night train, and Inclose sufficient money to pay for my entertainment. "S. P." He stared at the words, a deep crease between his eyes. It was a woman's handwriting, and at first glom e there was nothing impossible In such no net ion on her part . Yet it was strange, if she had departed s"o suddenly without leaving any message for him. l'n e\es narrowed with aroused emsp!' i .. j,s In- looked up from the slip of paper ami confronted the amused Titiunoiis across the desk. (To be continued) "r ' ;,i(1 J.; J liiHti ; L Stl f t:~ 'vJ >^\\?\ :" jiII trr Pepsin ^ ' wSm JDruggiut ^ L Lnxated" Pepsin Tablets are rich In pep- fl aln and contain the standard mild-purge- W ' tlve elements In selentiflc proportion*. I . * . RubrMy-TUm cut*, A a mil 4K ?