The Desert of Wheat

fferences from the uncertain doubts and fears

of her. Lenore would never forget the gaze that seemed to try to burn her image on his memory forever. She felt that they would meet again. Solemn th

was by the deep change in herself, neither dust nor heat nor distance affected her greatly. Like the miles the moments sped by. She was aware through closed eyes when darkness fell. Stops were frequent after the Copper River had been crossed, and her father appeared to m

ep out, and assisted her. He gave her arm a hard squ

ing and thoroughly aroused Lenore.

' off in the dark," Jake

ed Anderson. "I'll take Lenore

h through the grove and Lenor

y danger?" s

anythin'," replie

ou be c

he house an' ranch. But I'd better have the cowboys down. There'

hall was dark and quiet. He turned on the e

y. "No wonder. That was a ride. But I

oo, father.

door. Then his rapid footsteps died away. Wearil

p slumber by Kathleen, wh

ere shut so tight," declared the child. "Brea

ter," replied L

yes opened w

e a hand ov

er

et up, Lenorry. Did you he

enore sat u

as the

don't know what

iedly dressing, she went down to breakfast.

eyes!" was h

utdone, chirped, "Hel

er father did not look as if anything worried him. It was a way of his, however, not to show stress or worry.

! you ought to have heard them run. One plumped into the gate an' went clear over it, to fall like a log. Anot

righten them?"

hat's sure. We heard a cry, an' t

se these-these nig

' much more chance on Nash. I reckon it's dangerous keepin' him around. I'll have him drive me to-day-over to Vale

between her and the driver. An

Ruenke? Fine American name, I don't think! That man's a spy an' a plotter. An' before he's

down to enter the car he addressed Nash in cool, careless, easy speech. It made

yes that any subtle, clever man would have feare

car beside the driver. He showed u

coming?" she ask

to while your dad fools around. But I can't go. Me an' the boys air a

t. He was just boasting, as usual, but his hawklike eyes

ared to lose patience with Jake, but after a

his morning it was evident he did not have his mind on his business. Th

vin' a hay-wagon," called

Nash followed, and presently came back with a package of letters. Upon taking his seat in the car he assorted the letters

a woman," she said, pretending

rried yet," he replied

you write to other women. Let me see th

r will be coming any minute.… Lenore, he suspects me. And

ou mus

you've got to run

e hurry?" s

tting ho

as you are so strange, so mysterious, how can I trust you? You

nd earnest, and

, then will you come with m

t you have to tell will prov

do," he replie

he had assumed. But Nash was so stirred by his own emotions, so car

find out things and to carry out orders. Lately I've neglected my job because I fell in love with y

ed Lenore, and she felt

government will do to the I.W.W. if the Northwest leaves any of it. But just now there're plots against a few big men like your father. He's to be ruined. His crops and ranches destroyed. And he's to be killed. It's because he's so

" whisper

secret. There are American citizens in the Northwest-one r

now who t

I do

r Germany,

uits me I will be for America. If you come with me I'll throw up this dirt

dden!" excla

e looked at Lenore without thinking of

nt to see Dorn's wheat. Glidden's playing the I.W.W. against itself. He means to dro

man was not even big in his wickedness. Leno

she said, with quivering scorn. "I let yo

he ejaculated, his jaw

'd better jump out of this car a

d, haltingly, as anger overc

nore gasped as she saw her father, for his ey

says you get letters here under diff

iend," stammered the drive

olding him powerless, and with the other hand he searched Nash's inside coat pockets, to tear forth

o comply, then suddenly he threw o

driver out of his seat. But Nash held on desperately, and the car, gaining momentum, dr

h struck her, jerked her back into the seat. She struggled until th

l kill yourself." sh

inting, with the swift real