NORTH PLATTE SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE. The VALLEY By PETER B. KYNE Author of "Cappy Rick" "I CAN'T FIGHT ANY MORE." BynopBla. Pioneer In the Califor nia redwood region, John Cardigan, at forty-seven, Is the leading citizen of Sequoia, owner of mills, ships, and many acres of timber, a wid ower after three yoars of married life, and fathor of two-day old Dryce Cardigan. At fourteen Ilryco makes the acquaintance of Shirley Sumner, a visitor at Sequoia, and his Junior by a fow jhsars. Together they visit the Valley of the Giant, sacred to John Cardigan and his son as the burial placo of Dryco's mother, and part with mutual re gret. While Dryce Is at college John Cardigan meets with heavy business losses and for the first time views the future with uncer tainty. After graduation from col lege and a trip abroad, Bryco Car digan cornea homo. On the train ho Is Interested In an attractive girl. CHAPTER IV Continued. 3 Ilryco could fico thnt she was tlio little daughter of sonic In tro rich man. Tho spnrslty of Jewelry nnil the rich simplicity of her a'ttlro proved that, nnd moreover she was accom panied hy a French maid to whom oho spoke In French In a manner which testified that before acquiring the French maid she had been In the custody of n French nurse. Sho pos sessed poise. For tlio rest, she had wonderful Jot-black halrf 'vjolct eyes, and milk-white skin, a correct nose but a somcwhnt generous mouth. Bryce Suessed sho was twenty or twonty-ono years old and that she had a temper susceptible of being aroused. The- fact that this remarkable young woman had also left the train at Red Bluff further Interested him, for ho knew Red Bluff and while giv ing credit to tlio many lovely damsels of that little ambitious city, Bryce had a suspicion that no former Red Bluff girl would daro to Invado tho old homo town with a French maid. Do- noted, as further evidence of the correctness of his assumption, thnt tlio youthful baggnge-smaslier nt the station failed to recognlzo hci nnd was evidently dazzled when, followed by tho maid, struggling with two suit-cases, sho approached him and In pure though nllen English Inquired the location of tho best hotel nnd tho hour and point of dopnrturo of tho nutomobtlo . stugo for San Ilcdrln. Tho youth had answered her llrst question and was nbout to answer the second when George Sea Otter, In all his barbaric splendor, came pussy footing around tho corner of tho stn tlon In old nmn Cardigan's regal touring-car. Tho Ilignest Living Authority, fol lowing tho gnzo of tlio baggngo Bmnsher, turned nnd beheld Georgo Sen Otter. Beyond a doubt ho waH of x tho West westward. Sho noted tho rifle-stock projecting from tlio scab bard, and a vision of a stago hold-up flashed across her mind. Ah, yes, of course tho express messenger's weap on, no doubt I And further to clinch her Instant assumption that hero was tlio Sequoia motor-stage, there was tho pennant adorning tho wtnd-shlcld I Dismissing tho baggage-smasher with a gracious smile, tho Highest Living Authority approached Georgo Sen Otter, noting, tho while, further cvl denco thnt this car was a public con veyance, for tho young mnn who had boon her fellow-pnssenger was head ing tawnrd tho automobllo also. .She heard him sny: I "Hello, George, you rndlnnt red rascal I I'm mighty glad to sco you, boy. Shako 1" They shook, Georgo Sea Ottor's dark eyes and white teeth flushing ploasurably. Bryce tossed his bag In to tho tonneau; tho hnlf-brecd opened tho front door; and tho young master had his foot on tho running-board nnd wns nbout to enter tho enr when a jsoft voice spoko at his elbow: ( "Driver, this Is tho stago for Sequflfif, is it not?" Georgo Sea Otter could scarcely credit his auditory nerves, "This car?" ho demanded bluntly, "this tho Sequoia stago 1 Tako a look, lndy. Tills here's a Napier Imported uuto moblle. It's a prlvnto car and be longs to my boss hero." Bryco turned nnd lifted his tint . "Quite naturally, you thought It wns tho Sequolu stage." Ho turned a smoldering glanco upon Georgo Sen Otter. "Georgo," ho declnrod omi nously, bu witn a Hly wink thnt drew tho sting from his words, "If you'ro anxious to hold down your Job, tho next time a lady speaks to you nnd asks you a simple qucstlou you an swer yes or no nnd refrnln from snr cnstlc remnrk8. Don't let your pit thuslasin for this car run nwny with you," fie faced the girl again. "Wns It your Intention to go to Sequoia on the next trip of tho Btngo?" Sho nodded. "Thnt menns you will hnve to wnlt horo threo (Inys until tlio stago re turns from Sequoia," Bryce replied A shado of nnnoynnco passed over tho classic features of tho nighest Living Authority. "Oh, dear," sho complained, how fearfully awkward I Now I shnll have to tako tho next train to San FrnnclBco nnd book $s- sage on tho stenmer to Sequoia and Marcello Is such a poor snllor. Oh, dear I" Bryco had an Inspiration nnd hasten ed to reveal It "Wo nre about to stnrt for Sequoia now, although tho lateness of our stnrt will compel us to put up tonight at tho rest-house on tho south fork of Trinity river and continue the Journey In tho morning. However, this rest house Is eminently respectable nnd the food and accommodations are ex traordinarily good for mountains; so, If an Invitation to occupy tlio tonneau of my car will not bo construed as nn Impertinence, coming as It docs from a total stranger, you are nt liberty to regard this car as to all Intents nnd purposes tho public con veynnco which so scandalously de clined to wait for you this morning." Sho looked nt him scnrchlngly for n brief Instant; then with a peculiarly winning smile and a graceful Inclina tion of her head she thanked hltn nnd accepted his hospitality thus : "Why, certainly not I l'ou aro very kind, and I shall be eternally grate ful." "Thank you for that voto of confi dence. It makes mo feel that I have 'This Is the Gtage for Sequoia, It Not?" Is your permission to Introduce myself. My namo Is Bryco Cardigan, and I live In Sequotn when I'm at home." "Of Cardigan's redwoods?" " sho questioned. Ho nodded. "I've heard of you, I think," she continued. "I urn Shirley Sumner." "You do not Uvo In Sequoln." "No, but I'm going to hereafter. I wns tlicro nbout ten yenrs ngo." He grinned nnd thrust out a great hnnd which sho surveyed gravely for a minute before Inserting hers In it "I wonder," ho snld, "If It Is to bo ray duty to give you n rldo every tlmo you como to Sequoln? Tho Inst time you wero tlioro you wheedled mo Into glv lug you- n rldo on my pony, nn animal known as Midget. Do you, by any chance, recnll that Incident?" Sho looked at him wonderlngly. "Why why, you'ro tho boy wiUi the beautiful auburn hair," sho declared. He lifted his hat and revealed his thick t,hatch In all Its glory. "I'm not so sensltlvo about It now," ho explain ed. "When wo first met, reference to my hair wus apt to rile me." Ho shook her ltttlo hand with cordial good-nature. "George, suppose you pile Miss Sumner's hand-baggnge In the tonneau nnd then pllo In there yourself and keep Marcello company. I'll drlvo; nnd you can sit up In front with me, Miss Sumner, snug behind tho wlud-shleld where you'll not be blown about" Ho went through his gears, and tho car glided away on its Journey. "By tho wny," ho said suddenly as ho turned west townrd tho dlstnnt bluo mountnlns of Trinity county, "how did you happen to connect mo with Cardi gan's redwoods?" "I'vo heard my uncle, Colonel Seth Pennington, speak of them." "Colonel Seth Pennington means nothing In my young life. I never heard of him before; so I dare say bo's a newcomer In our county. I'vo been away six years," ho added In ex planation. "We're from Michigan. Undo was formerly in tho lumbenbuslness there, but ho's logged out now. "I Bee. So he enmo west, I sup pose, nnd bought n lot of redwood lumber cheap from somo old croaker who nover could boo any future to the redwood lumber Industry Personally, I don't think ho could hnvo made a better Investment I hope I shnll hnvo the pleasure of making his ac qualntnncc when I deliver you to him. Perhnps you may be a neighbor of mine. Hope bo." At this Juncture Georgo Sea Otter, who bad bo'r an Interested listener GIANTS Copyright by Peter D. Kyne to tho conversation, essayed a grunt from the rear seat. Instnntly, to Shirley Sumner's vast surprise, her host grunted also; whereupon George Sea Otter broke Into a series of grunts and guttural cxclnmatlons which evidently nppeared quite In tclllgthlo to her host, for ho slowed down to flvo nillcs nn hour and cocked ono ear to tho rear; apparently he wns profoundly Interested In whatever Information his henchman had .to Irn pnrt. When George Sen Otter finished his hnrnngue, Bryco nodded nnd onco more gnve his attention to tossing the miles behind him. "What Innguage wns thnt?" Shirley Sumner Inquired, consumed with curiosity. "Digger Indian," ho replied. "Gcorgo's mother wns my nurse, nnd he nnd I grew up together. So I enn't very well help speaking the Inn gunge of tho tribe." They chattered volubly on mnny subjects for the flrst twenty miles; then tho rood narrowed and com menced to climb steadily, and there nftcr Bryco gnve all of his attention to the car, for a deviation of a foot from tho wheel-rut on tho outside of tho road would hnvo sent them hur tling over the grade Into tlio deep timbered canyons below. By reason of tho fact that Bryco's gnzo nover wavered from the rond Immediately In front of tho cur, sho had a chance to appraise him critically while pro tending to look past htm to the tumbled, snow-covered ranges to their right. She saw a big, supple, powerful man of twenty-five or six, with the bearing nnd general demeanor of one mnny years his older. His nose wns high, of medium thickness nnd Just a trlflo long the nose of n thinker. His ears vere ljjrge, with full lobes the ears of a generous mnn. Tho mouth, full-llppcd but firm, tlio henvy Jaw and square chin, the great hands (most amazingly free from freckles) denoted tho man who would not avoid a fight worth while. Upon Uielr arrival at the rest-house, Bryce during dinner was very atten tive and mildly amusing, although Shirley's keen wits assured her that tlUs was merely a clover pose and sustained with difficulty. ,Sho was confirmed In this assumption when, nfter dinner, she complnlncd of being wenry and bndo hltn good-night She hnd scarcely left him when ho called: "George!" The half-breed slid out of tho dnrk ness and sat down beside him. A moment Jnter, through tlio open window of her room Just nbove the porch where Bryce nnd Georgo Sen Otter sat, Shirley heard the former say: "George, when did you flrst notice that my fnther's Bight wns beginning to fnll?" "About two yenrs ngo, Bryco. Ho began to walk with his hands held out In front of htm, and sometimes ho lifted his feet too high." "Can he see at all now, George?" "Oh, yes, a little bit enough to mako tils way to tlio ofllce and back." "Poor old governor! George, until you told me tills afternoon. I hadn't heard n word nbout It If I hnd, I nover would hnvo tnken thnt two-year Jaunt around tho world. And you sny this mnn Colonel Pennington nnd my fnther hnvo been hnvlng trouble. "Yes " Hero Georgo Sen Otter gracefully unburdened himself of a "Dadl" Ho Called. fervent curse directed at Shirley's avuncular rolatlvo; whereupon thnt young lady promptly loft the window and lienrd no more, They wore on tho rond again by eight o'clock noxt morning, nlid Just as Cardigan's mill was blowing tho six o'clock whistle, Bryco stopped the enr nt the bond of the street leading down to the water-front. "I'll let you drive now, George," ho Informed tho silent Sea Otter. He turned to Shir ley Sumner. "I'm going to leave you now," he Bald. "Thank you .for rid ing ovor from Red Bluff with me. My father never leaves tho ofllce until the whistle blows, nnd so I'm going to hurry down to thnt little building you see nt the end of tho street und sur priso him." Ho stepped out on tho running board, stood there n moment nnd ex tended his hnnd. Shirley had com menced n duo nnd fonnnl expression of her gratitude for having been de livered Bnfely In Sequoia, when George Sen Otter spoko: "Here comes John Cnrdlgan," he said. "Drive Miss Sumner around to Colo nel Pennington's house," Bryco order ed, nnd even whllo he held Shirley's hand.fho turned to catch the first glimpse of his father.. Shirley follow ed his glanco nnd saw a tall, power fully built old man coming down the street with his hands thrust a little In front of him, as If for protection from some Invisible assailant "Oh, tny poor old father!" sho henrd Bryce Cnrdigun murmur. "My dear old pal ! And I've lpt him gropq In the dark for two yenrs!" Ho released her hnnd and leaped from tho ear. "Dadl" he called. "It Is I Bryce. I've como home to you at last" The slightly bent figure of John Cardigan straightened with a Jerk ; he held out his arms, trembling with engerness, nnd ns the car continued on to tho Pennington house Shirley looked back and saw Bryco folded In his father's embrace. She did not, however, henr tlio heart-cry with which the beaten old man welcomed his boy. "Sonny, sonny oh, I'm so glad you'ro back. I've missed you. Bryce, I'm whipped I've lost your heritage. Oh, son I I'm old I can't light nny more. I'm blind I can't, see my ene mies. I've lost your redwood trees even your mother's Valley of the Giants." And he commenced to weep for the third time In fifty years. And when the nged nn'l helpless weep, nothing Is more terrible. Bryco Cnrdlgnn snld no word, hut held his fnther close to his great heart nnd laid his check gently ngnlnst the old man's tenderly as a woman' might And presently, from that silent communion of spirit, each drew atrength nnd comfort As the shadows fell In John Cardigan's town, they .went homo to the house on the hill. Shirley Sumner's eyes wero tnplsf when Georgo Sen Otter, In obedience to tho Instructions of his youthful mnster, Bet her, the French muld, and their hand-bnggnge down on the side walk In front of Colonel Seth Pen nington's house. The half-breed hesi tated a moment, undecided whether he would carry tho hand-baggage up to too door or leave that task for a Pennington retainer; then ho noted the tenrstnlns on the cheeks of his fair passenger. Instantly he took up the hand-baggage; kicked open the Iron gate, and preceded Shirley up the cement walk to the door. "Just wait n moment, If you please, George," Shirley said ns he set the bnggngo down nnd stnrted bnck for the enr. He turned nnd beheld her extracting n flve-dollnr bjll from her purse. "For you, George," she con tinued. "Thank you so much." In nil his life George Sea Otter hnd never hnd ' such nn experience he, nnpplly, having been raised In a coun try where, with the exception of waiters, only a pronounced vagrant expects or accepts a gratuity from a woman. He took the bill and fingered it curiously; then his white blood as serted Itself and he handed the bill back to Shirley. "Thank you," ho said respectfully. "If you were a man nil. right But from n lndy no. I nm like my boss. I work for you for nothing" Shirley did not understand his re fusal, but her Instinctive tact warned her not to Insist Sho returned tho bill to her purse, thanked him ngnln, nnd turned quickly to hldo tho slight flush of annoyance. George Sea Otter noted it "Lndy," he said with great dignity, "at flrst I did not want to carry your haggajce. I did not wnnt to wnlk on this lnnd." And with a sweeplngges ture he indicated the Pennington grounds. "Then you cry n little be cause my boss Is feeling bad about his old man. So I llko you bettor. Tho old mnn well, he hns been like fnther to me nnd my mother nnd we nre Indlnns. My brothers, too they work for him. So If you llko my boss nnd his old mun, Georgo Sen Otter would go to hell for you pretty damn' quick, You bet your life I" "You'ro n very good boy, George," she replied, with difficulty repressing u smile at his blunt but earnest avowal. "I am glad tho Cardigans hnvo such an honest loyal servant" George Sea Otter's dark faco lighted with n quick smile. "Now you pay me," ho replied and returned to tho car. The door opened, and a Swedish maid stood In the entrance regarding her stolidly "I'm Miss Sumner," Shirley told her. "This Is my maid Marcelle. Help ht In with tho hand baggage." Sho stepped into the hall and called: "Ooh-hoohl Nunky duuk I" "Ship ahoy I" An answering call camo to her from the dining room across the entranco-hnll and nn In stnnt Inter Colonel Seth Pennington stood In the doorway. "Bless my whlskors! Is that you, my denr?" ho cried, and advanced to greet her, "Why, how did you got here, Shirley? 1 thought you'd missed to stago." She presented her cheek for his kiss. 'So I did, Uncle, but n nlco red-haired younp man nnmed Uryce cardigan found me in distress at Red Bluff picked mo up in his car, and brought mo here." Sho sniffed adorably. "I'm so hungrjV' she declnred, "and here I nm, Just In time for dinner. Is my name In tlio pot?" "It Isn't, Shirley, but it soon will be. How perfectly bully to havo you with me ngnln, my deorl And whnt a charming young lady you've grown to be since I saw you last! You're why, you've been crying! By Jov I had no iden you'd be so glnd to set me ngnln." She could not forego n sly little am 11 nt his egoism. "You're looking per fectly splendid Undo Seth," sho pnr rled. "And I'm feeling perfectly splendid. By tlio wny, who did you Bay picked you up In his car?" "Bryco Cardigan. Do you know him?" "No, we haven't met Son of old John Cnrdlgnn, I dnro sny. I've heart) of him. He's been nwny from Sequoli "Why, How Did You Get Here, Shir , Iey7" for quite n while, I believe. About time he came home to take enre of thnt stiff-necked old fnther of his." Ho stepped to tho bell nnd pressed It nnd tho butler nnswered. "Set n plnce nt dinner for Miss Shirley, Jnmcs," he ordered. "Thelmn will show you your rooms, Shirley. I wns Just nbout to sit down to dinner. I'll wnlt for you." While Shirley wns In the dining room Colonel Pennington's features wore an expression" nlmost pontlllcnl. but when she hnd gonet the ntmos- pnere or pnternnllsm nnu aueciion which he radiated fnded Instnntly. The Colonel's fnce wns In repose now cold, cnlculntlng, vnguely repellent He scowled slightly. "Now. Isn't thnt the devil's luck?' he soliloquized. - "Young Cnrdlgan Is probnbly the only mnn In Sequoia dashed awkward if they should be come interested in each other at this time. They say he's good-looking; certainly ho is educated nnd hns ac quired some worldly polish lust tho kind of young fellow Shirley will find, Interesting and welcome company In a town like this. Many things con hnppen In u yenr and It will be a year before I can smash the Cardi gans. Damn it," CHAPTER V. Aloncr the well-remembered streets of Sequoln Bryce Cnrdlgnn and his father walked nrm In nrm, tnelr progress continuously Interrupted by well-menulnir but Impulsive Sequolnns who Insisted upon uniting the pnlr to shako hnnds with Bryco nnd bid him welcome home. In tlio presence of those third parties the old man quickly conquered tho ngltatlon he hnd felt at this long-deferred meeting with his son. nnd when presently they left tho business section of tho town nnd turned Into a less-frequented street his emotion assumed the character of a nulet Joy, evidenced In a more erect bearing nnd a firmer trend, as If he strove, despite his neventy-slx yenrs, not to nppenr Incongruous ns ho walked beside his splendid son. I wish I could see you more clear ly," he said presently. Ills voice ns well ns his words expressed profound regret, but there wns no hint of despnlr or henrt-brenk now. Bryce, who up to this moment hnd refrained from discussing his fnther's misfortunes, drew the old mnn n ltttlo closer to his side. "What's wrong with your eyes, pnl?" ho queried. He did not often nddresa his parent, nfter the fnshlon of most sons, ns ."Fnther," "Dud." or "Pop," They were closer to each other than Unit, and n rare sense of perfect com radeship found expression, on Bryce's part, In such salutations ns "pnl," "partner" nnd. Infrequently, "old sport." "Cntnracts, son," his fntlier answer ed. "Merely tho ponnlty of old ngo," "But can't something bo done about It?" demanded Bryce. "Can't they bo cured somehow or other?" "Oh, Bryce, the man hasn't a soul." (TO 1)12 CONTINUED.) Sure Relief 6 Bell-ans -e' Hot water Sure Relief RE LL-ANS Mfor indigestjon MAN'S BEST AGE A man is as old as his organs ; hs can be as vigorous and healthy at 70 as at 35 if he gids his organs in performing their functions. Keep your vital organs healthy with COLD MEDAL I Tbs world's standard remedy for kidney, liver, bladder and uric add troubles elnc 1695; corrects disorders; stimulates vital organs. All druggists, threo sizes. 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