o:
HE
ATALE OF THE PLAINS
Randall Padoism-
""AuTHcwOr' Mv Lady Of The South.
whem Wilderness Wao King, ctc'tc
Illustrations By DcARBim Nclviul
(Copyright.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Pllwlng the Jrall.
Tbe withdrawal of the sheriff mere
ly etlmulaUd Keith to greater activity,
tt was clearly evident the fuc ltivei
were endeavoring with all rapidity
possible to get beyond where the hand
of law could reach them their trail
striking directly acroai the plains Into
the barren southwest was proof of this
purpose. Yet It was scarcely likely
they would proceed very far in that
direction, as such a course would
bring them straight Into the heart of
the Indian country, Into greater dan
ger than that from which they lied.
Kellh felt no doubt that Hawley In
tended making for Carson City, where
be could securely hide the girl, and
where he possessed friends to rally
to his defence, even an influence over
fho ofTirftia of the law. The one thing
wnich puzzled him most was the
man's object In attempting so desper
ate a venture. Did he know his pris
oner was Hope Walte? or did he still
suppose he was running oft with Chris
tie Maclaire? Could some rumor of
Waite's appeal to the courts have
reached the gambler, frightened him,
and caused him to attempt this des-
C. MoClurg & Co.. 111.)
I suhtier bis earlier theory, and.
brought him greater uneasiness. Fin
ally he spoke of It to the old plains- i
man beside him.
"What do you suppose those fellows
are heading so far west for, Ben?
They are taking a big risk of running
Into hOBtiles."
"Oh, I don't know," returned the
other gravely, lifting his eyes to the
far-off sky line. "I reckon from the
news thet come In last night from
Hays, thar ain't no Injuns a rangln"
thet way jist now. They're too blame
busy out on the Arlckaree. Maybe
them fellers heerd the same story, an'
thet's what makes 'em so bold."
"What story? I've heard nothing."
"Why, It's like this, Cap," drawling
out the wordH, "leastways, thet's how
It come Inter Sheridan; 'Sandy' For
sythe an' his outfit, mostly plainsmen,
started a while ago across Solomon
River an' down Beaver Crick, hendln'
fer Fort Wallace. Over on the Arlcka
ree, the whole damned Injun outfit
Jumped 'em. From all I hcerd, thar
must a bin nigh onto three thousan'
o' the varmints, droppln on 'em all at
their own noueb, the pursued would
be compelled to halt somewhere to
rest their stock also. Their trail even
revealed the fact that they were trav-
eling far less rapidly than at first
though evidently making every effort
to cover the greatest possible dls-1
tance before stopping. Just as the
dusk shut In close about them they '
rode down Into the valley of Shaw- j
nee Fork, and discovered signs of a
recent camp at the edge of the stream. I
Here, apparently, Judging from the
camp-fire ashes, and the trampled
grass along the Fork, tho party must
have halted for several hours. Hy
lighting matches Keith and Bristoe
discerned where some among them
had laid down to sleep, and, through
various signs, decided they miiBt have
again departed some five or six hours
previous, one of their horses limping
as if lame. The tired pursuers went
into camp at the same spot, but with
out venturing to light any Are; merely
snatching a cold bite, and dropping
off to sleep with heads pillowed upon
their saddles.
They were upon the trail again with
the first dimness of the gray dawn,
wading the waters of the Fork, and
striking forth across the dull level of
brown prairie and white alkali to
ward the Arkansas. They saw nothing
all day moving in that wide vista
about them, but rode steadily, scarce
ly exchanging a word, determined,
grim, never swerving a yard from th
faint tralL Th mirsuii van moving
slower, hampered, no doubt, by their
lame horse, but were still well in ad
vance. Moreover, the strain of the
saddle was already beginning to tell
severely on Waite, weakened somewhat
by years, and the pursuers were com
pelled to halt oftener on his account.
The end of the second day found them
approaching the broken land border
ing the Arkansas valley,' and Just be-
Clhurislimas
GE
s
HE is Thinking of You now Perhaps She has
Your Present Already Purchased. What is
Her Gift to be? Something not too costly Some
thing of Real Service A Permanent Reminder of
the Giver.
perate effort at escape? and did he onto an island an' stopped the bucks,
bear Miss Maclaire with him, hoping ! Two of the fellers got through to
to keep her safely concealed until Wallace ylst'day, an a courier brought
he was better prepared to come out in the news in ter HayB. The Injuns had
open fight? If this was the actual ! them boys cooped up thar fer eight
fin not hll-lint-fer-plpfMnn. with ol'
Roman Nose a leadln' 'em. It was j 'ore nightfall they picked up a lame
shore a good fight, fer the scouts got
discarded by tho
state of affairs then it would account
for much otherwise hard to explain.
The actress would probably not have
been missed, or. at least, seriously
aought after, until Bhe failed to ap
pear at the theater the following even
ing:. This delay would give the fu
gitives a Btart of twenty hours, or
even more, and practically assure
their safety. Besides, in the light of
Waite's application to the sheriff for
assistance, It was comparatively easy
to concelvo of a valid reason why
Hawley should vanish, and desire,
likewise, to take Miss Maclaire with
him. But there was no apparent oc
casion for his forcible induction of
Hope. Of course, he might have done
so from a suddenly aroused fit of an
ger at some discovery the girl had
made, yet everything pointed rather
to a deliberate plan. Both horses and
men were certainly waiting there un
der orders, Hawley'e adherents In
charge, and every arrangement per
fected in advance. Clearly enough
the gambler had planned it all out
before he ever went to the Troca
dero no doubt the completion of
these final arrangements was what de
layed his appearance at the hotel. If
this was all true, then it must have
been Christie, and not Hope, he pur
posed bearing away with him, and the
latter was merely a victim of her mas--querade.
What would result when the man
discovered his mistake? Such a dis
covery could not be delayed long, al
though the girl was quick-witted, and
would surely realize that her personal
safety depended upon keeping up the
deception to the last possible moment
Yet the discovery must finally occur,
and there was no guessing what form
Hawicy'8 rage would assume when he
found himself baffled, and all his
plana for a fortune overturned. Keith
fully realized Hope's peril, and his
own helplessness to serve her in this
emergency was agony. As they hur
ried back to the town, he briefly re
viewed these conclusions with Walte
and Falrbaln, all alike agreeing there
was nothing remaining for them to do
except to take up the trail. The fugi
tives had already gained too groat an
advantage to be overhauled, but they
might be traced to whatever point
they were heading for. In spite of the
start being so far to the west, Keith
was firmly convinced that their destin
ation would prove to be Carson City
"Procuring horses at the coirpl, t! . ':
forces augmented by two velum- e..--both
men of experience Keith, W..1 e
Fairbaln und Neb departed without
delay, not even pausing to eat but
taking the necessary food with them.
The sun had barely risen when they
took up the trail, Keith, and a man
named Bristoe, slightly in advance,
their keen eyes marking every Blight
sign left for guidance across the bare
plain. It was a comparatively easy
trail to follow, leading directly into
the southwest, the pony tracks cutting
Into the eod as though the reckless
riders had bunched together, their
horses trotting rapidly. Evidently no
attempt had been made at conceal
ment, and this served to convince the
pursuers that Hawley still believed
his captive to be Miss Maclaire, and
that her disappearance would not be
suspected until after nightfall. In
that case the trail cou'd not be dis
covered before the following morn
ing, and with such a start, pursuit
would be useless. Tireless, steadily,
scarcely speaking except upon the
business in hand, the pursuers pressed
forward at an easy trot, Keith, in pplte
of Intense anxiety, with the remem
brance of old cavalry days to guide
him, insisting upon sparing tho horses
as much as possible. This, was to be
a stern chase and a long one, and it
was Impossible to tell when they could
procure remounts. The constant swerv
ing of the trail westward seemed to
horse, evidently
party ahead.
By this time Keith had reached a
definite decision as to his course. If
the fugitives received a freBh relay
nf hnrcaa rirtu-n Hinra untnAU'hat'A Anrl
V 1 UVI . V 1. VI ' ' I. .11. I V J ' ' ' ' ' ' . . ' w,
crossed the Arkansas, he felt positive
ly sure as to their destination. But it
would be useless pushing on after
days before them fellers got out, an' 1
reckon it'll be two or three days more
'fore the nleser sogers they sent out
ter help ever git thar. So thar won't j them in the present shape of his party
be no Injuns 'long this route we're
travelin', fer the whole kit an' ca
boodle are up thar ylt after 'Sandy.'"
"And you suppose Hawley knew
about this?'
mm &mn
' 1 . &
'9
V
S Some Appropriate Christmas Gifts:
Furs $3.50 to $33.03; Hand Bags $1.00 to $10.03: Gloves $1.00 to $3.50: Scarfs
S 50c to $2.25; Handkerchiefs 10c to $1.75; Toilet Sets $1.50 to $3.00; Silk Hose 50c
U tn $2.00: Back Combs 25c to $1.50: Manacure Sets fi5n tn S3 Rf Fnnnv Anmn
8 25c to $1.25; Neckwear 25c to $1.75; Silk Waist Patterns $3.00 to $5.00; Silk
Dress Patterns 50c to $1.50 per yard; Wool Dress Patterns 50c to $3.00 per yard.
Jewel Boxes 25c to 75C; Pin Cushions 25c to $1.00; Rugs 75c to $20.00; Umbrel
las $1.00 to $5.00; Box Stationary 25c to $2.50; Kimonos $1.50 to $4.00. Hat
Pins 25c to $1.50. We have many other gifts suitable for Christmas.
THE MORNING IS A GOOD TIME TO SHOP!
8
"Why not, Cap? He was hnngin'
'round till after ten o'clock las' night,
an' It was all over town by then
Taba't likely he's got an outfit 'long
wita him thet's lost any Injuns, 1
dou't know whar they're bound, no
mor'n you do, but I reckon they're
reasonably sure they've got a clar
road."
They pulled up on the banks of a
small stream to water their horses,
and ate hastily. The trail led di
rectly across, and with only the slight
est possible delay they forded the
shallow water, and mounted the op
posite bank. A hundred yards farther
on Bristoe reined up suddenly, point
ing down at the trail.
"One Loss left the bunch here," he
declared positively. Keith swung him
self out of the saddle, and bent over
to study the tracks. There was no
doubting the evidence a single hors--the
only one shod In the bunch
with a rider on Its back, Judging from
the deep imprint of the hoofs, had
swerved 6hnrply to the left of the
main body, heading directly Into the
southenst. The plainsman ran for
ward for a hundred yards to assure
himself the man had not circled back;
at that point the animal had been
spurred into a lope. Keith rejoined
the others.
"Must have been about daylight
they reached here," he said, picking
up his dangling rein, and looking in'o
the questioning faces about him. "Tho
fellow that rode out yonder alone was
heading straight toward Carson City
He Is going for fresh horses, I flgur
It, and will rejoin the bunch some
olace down on the Arkansas. Tht
V. I. .. c,
I i . v . . . -. . . . i .;. H l..u d'
)cr, .!), !' . .i ."
."Tl.i . the v ;.y ii konis rp ter n e,
Cap; n:o.)t lively V.. as tut; Lots him
self." "Well, whoever It was, the girl is
still with, the others, and their trail
is the easiest to follow. We'll ktep
after them."
They pushed on hour after hour, as
long as daylight lasted or they could
perceive the faintest trace to follow.
Already half-convinced that he knew
the ultimate destination of the fugi
tives, Keith yet dare not venture on
pressing forward during the night, thus
possibly losing the trail and being
compelled to retrace their steps. It
was better, to proceed slow and sure.
KmM w4n frw be oondlUon of
their horses worn out, and Walte
reeling giddily In the saddle. If Haw
ley's outfit crossed the upper ford, to
ward which they were evidently head
lng, and struck through the eand hills,
then they were making for the refuge
of that, lone cibin on Salt Fork.
Should this prove true, then it was
probable the gambler had not even
yet discovered the identity of Hope,
for if he had, he would scarcely ven
ture upon taking her there, knowing
that Keith would naturally suspect
the spot. But Keith would not be like
ly to personally take up the trail in
search for Chilsti Maclaire. It must
have been Hawley then who hud left
the party and ridilen east, and up to
that time he had not found out his
mistake. Yet if ho brought out the
fresh anlmnls the chances wero that
Hope's Identity would be revealed.
Bristoe, who had turned nsldo to ex
amine the straying horse, came trot
ting up.
"Belonged to their outfit all right.
Cap," he reported, "carries the double
cross brand and that shebang Is
upon the Smckey; saddle galls still
bleeding."
Walte was now suffering so acute
ly they were obliged to halt before
gaining sight of the river, finding, for
tunately, a water-hole fed by a spring.
As soon as the sick man could be
made comfortable, Keith gave to the
others his conclusions, and listened to
what they had to say. Bristoe favor
ed clinging to the trail, even though
they must travel slowly, but Falrbaln
insisted that Walte must be taken to
some town where he could be given
necessary care. Keith finally decided
the matter.
"None can be more anxious to reach
those fellows that I am," he declared,
"but I know that country out south,
nd we'll never get through to the
Snlt Fork without fresh horses. Be
sides, as the doctor says, we've got to
take care of Walte. If we And things
as I expect we'll ride for Carson City,
,nnd re-outfit there. What's more, w
won't lost much time It's a shorter
ride from there to the cabin than from
here."
Bv morning the General was able to
sit his saddle again, ana leaving enn
with Neb to follow slowly, the others
spurred forward, discovered an outlet
through the bluff Into the valley, and
crossed the Santa Fe Trail. It was
not easy to discover where those in
advance had passed this point, but
they found evidence of a late camp In
little grove of cottonwoods beside
he river. There were traces of two
trails leading to the spot, one being
that of the same Ave horses they had
been following so long, the other not
bo easily read, as it had been trav-
srsed in both directions, the different
hoof marks obliterating each other.
prUtoe, creeping about on hands and
kiKcs, studied the Blgns with the eyes
of an Indian.
"You kin see the dlff'rence yere
whnr tho ground la soft, Cap," he said,
pointing to Eome tracks plainer than
tho others. "This yere hoss had a
rider, but the rest of 'em was led;
thet's why tl.cy've bungled up ther
trail so. An' It wa'n't ther same
i bunch thet went back east w hat come
from thar eeo thet split hoof! thar
1 ain't no spilt hoof p'intlng ther other
way but yere Is the mark of the crit
ter thet puts her foot down bo fur
i outside thet we've been a tral'.ln' from
Sheridan, an' she's p'intlng east, an'
being led. Now, let's tee whar the
bunch went from yere with tint iplll
hoof."
This was not so easily accom
plished owing to the nature of the
ground, kut at last the searchers
o
0 Sun sl
EY 2
SOW
8
b
I
it
i
;
it
stumbred onto tracks crose in unaer
the bank, and one of these revealed
the spMt hoof.
"That makes It clear, Ben," ex
claimed Keith, decidedly, staring out
ncroLS th,s river at the white Band
hills. "Tliey have kept on the edge of
the' 'water, making for the ford, which
is yonder at the bend. Tliey are out
in .the sand desert by this time riding
for the Salt Fork. Whoever he was,
the fellow bronyht them five horses,
end the five old ones were taken east
ar;;iin on the trail. The girl Is still
with the party, and we'll go into Car
ton City and reoutflt."
('I'd lb' Cniil iniieil. ;
A Snap fop the Stockman.
SiO acri's in smillii'asl, (inten
wikkI cunnly, Kansax; fi'iiced and
cross-fenced; Hi) acres of rich
creek linltmn land in ciiltivatiun,
balance llnesl, nalive prairie urass
(liinesnil) . Fair ft-roum house
Mlahlinp, elc. Some hearing or
chard, l.ols of line living' water,
which is furnished by a larpo
creek whirl) runs through north
side of ranch. Creek is skirled
with limber; cattle come oh grass
into deep water. This is consider
ed to be one of Ibe best, lit 1 15 stock
ranches in the county. School
close by; line smooth road lo
town. Just 5 1-2 miles from
ranch to lown; a nice well im
proved country all Hie way. For
quirk sale $18 per acre buys this
410 acres; no trade lakep on this.
Has a mortgage or $3500 that has
yet three years lo run. $11:20 buys
the equity. Nothing belter for the
money, (live me to your friend if
you don't, want me, I must sell.
V. A. Nelson, Ileal Kstate
Jlroker, Fall lliver, (Ireenwood
County, Kansas.
B ' l"if
rti r
N HI S
1 1
i.
Farms Fop Sale.
1G0 acres of Cass county land,
located 3 miles south of Nehawka.
This place is in excellent condi
ton with 100 acres sowed to fall
who at, 4 acres of alfalfa, 30 acres
of meadow and remainder in
pasture, 7 acres being fenced hog
tight. Improved with 8 room
house, fine new. large barn with
accommodations for ten head of
horses and fifty cattle; cribs and
granary, 4 acres orchard and a
splendid well with new mill. Bo
fide the well there is a good spring
and two small running streams.
Would make a fino proposition for
slock of diversified farming.
Also 100 acres rich Otoo coun
ty land adjoining tho above farm;
135 acres under cultivation, most
of which is bottom land and pro
duces bumper crops; and 20
acres is in meadow. This is a
good buy for somebody. For
further information communicate
with .
C. Bctidon Hall, Nehawka, Neb.
to take good care of a go6d car. Have your
AUTOMOBILE
Painted or Varnishd each season. It will lengthen
its life and improve its appearance.
MAKE IT AS GOOD AS NEW!
You take no chances with
us. We are experts in our
line and do only first-class
work.
'
1 ' I
HE I
AUTO, CRRR1 AGE AND SIGN PAINTER
December Travel Bulletin
TO THE PACIFIC COAST. Inquire about the personally conducted through
tourist excursions to Los Angeles, via Denver-Santa Fe Route a rout of
sunrhino and mild climate. From Omaha and Lincoln every Tuesday night;
fiom Denver Wednesdays.
WINTER TOURIRT TICKETS. The attractive south-land is claiming its own
in Winter tourist patronage. Frum the Miftsouii Valley the Winter excur-
aion fares to Bouthcrn resorts are extremely favorable and .nvslva but a
modest outlay for a tour of the south.
HOMESEEKERS' EXCURSION TICKETS on the first and third Tuesdays of
each month to the Big Horn Basin, the Northwost, West and the South.
AMERICAN LIVE STOCK MEETING, Denver, December 12th and 13th, 1911.
NATIONAL SHELP SHOW AND WOOL GROWERS' CONVENTION, Oms-
I TA I It.L 4- n?u in11
na, uecemDer niii w mm, ?u.
R. W. CLEMENT, Ticket Agent.
L. W. VKAKELY, iineral Passenger Agent, Omaha, Neb
mmm
rife
John Hopkins and wife, from
the western pari of the state, who
have been guests of Isaac Hopkins
and wife for a short time, depart
ed for St. Joseph's hospital,
Omaha, this morning, where they
have a daughter taking treatment.
Dr. B. F. Brendel and T. W.
Fleming of Murray were passeng
ers to Omaha on the fast mail this
afternoon, where Mr. Fleming
went to ronsult a specialist rela
tive to an operation for ap
pendicitis, which ho underwent
some time ago.