Hidden Gold

by a wash-out a year or two previous. In the following spring the wash-out had been partially repaired, but the going was still so rough that the new road was widened, and had been used by pre

ant shower of stones, sometimes behind him, as the wiry cayuse climbed like a mountain goat; but as often in front, as horse and rider coasted perilously down some declivity. The horse sweated and trembled with nervousness, as a frightened

thy seemed much like a ranch-bred girl in her courage and frank womanliness, nor was she any less charming on that account. After all, he thought, women paid too highly for little accomplishments, if to gain them they had to sacrifice the vital points of

that if Moran had taken the foreman into custody on a trumped up charge of murder, the agent should feel the power of a greater tribunal than any court in the locality-the law of the Strong Arm! Behind him in this, the ranchman knew, was the whole of the cattle faction, and

h buildings, in the windows of which lights gleamed. With an imprecation at sight of them, he

deeper shadows close to the wall of the house. Taking off his hat, so that the crown might not betray

put up a fight. Moran was there, stretched comfortably on Wade's own cot, smoking a cigar. Once, he looked directly toward the window at which the watcher had placed himself, but the latter did not move. Inste

Moran, with the rest, was waiting for him. The mere thought of Santry already on his way to jail filled Wade with a baffling sense of rage, and creeping from the house, he examined the surrounding turf by the faint rays of the moon. It w

n the corral, and besides their absence, when discovered, would give warning of the impending attack. On second thought, however, he quie

oad from there on he did not stop. He came upon them in a few minutes, riding toward him at full speed, with T

must be in town by now. We was aimin' to light into 'em, but Santry wouldn't hear of it. Course, we took our ord

that he didn't shoot them Swe

de demande

said-hic!-that if you didn't know that without-hic!-bein' told

unken fool!" Law

nts in deep thought, while the men waited as patiently as they could. "Lawson," he said, at last. "You're in char

stick. We're for you an' Bill Santry an' ag'in'

t we are!" Sull

hook h

his evening-it's morning now. But wait until I come. There will be plenty for you to do later on and there is no use of you going

, he rode off towa

is long ride had cooled him somewhat, he intended to make one more appeal to the Senator. Possibly, Moran had exceeded his instructions, and if this were so, it was no more than just that Rexhill, who had seemed to evince a willingness to be help

peared before the Senator, who received him in his dressing-gown, being just out of bed. Rexhill listened wi

atural and does you credit, is blinding you to an impartial view of the case. Why not let the

cept for the worse. Bill Santry is free of any complicity in Jensen's death. I am positive of it. He sent me word that he had not left the ranch,

ordon; mere sentim

d, overwrought condition, and stung him. A strange look of cunning ap

ay for my land. If-I accept that offer, will

that only in halting speech could he maintain a show of decorous restraint. His countenance expresse

nerous spirit as that, I-er-should feel bound...." The sense of

efore you get my land, you robber! Now listen to me." He waved his hand in the direction of the street. "Out there's a hundred men-real men-who're waiting the word to run you out of this country, you and Moran, too, and by God we'll do it-we'll d

attracted by the noise, had entered the roo

er, Gordon?" she

ly, unashamed of himself, except for he

ogether. It was the first time he had ever been ragged in such a way, and

curtly, as he turned o

ng slightly, fiddl

ust what he had been accused, unless he allowed self-accusation to prompt his words. "Some sheepherders

med; evidently her amazeme

erous no

'm afraid Gordon hasn't improved since we saw him last," she added, finally. "He seems

the table on the spot where Wade's fist had fallen. "This, apparently, is his grat

Oh, everything between him and me is quite over," said

ather's set lips relaxed into a responsive smile. "

?" Helen na

street became a broad highway, with jewelers' shops on either side, and modiste