September 24, 1934 (6 pages)

MONDAY, SEPT. 24, 1934 Bin NEVADA Sie NUGGET ~— THE GREATEST EVENT OF THE SEASON +) Don't Miss the Grass Valley Firemen’s ca Convention Ball _ Which takes place SATURDAY! . . RIGHT September 29, 1934 In the Beautiful Ballroom of the VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING Hottest Hotcha Melodies by a *Renowned Dance Band Given as a fund raising benefit to defray costs of holding California *« Firemen’'s Convention in Grass Valley day, September 30. Dancing from 9 o'clock on Admission $1.00 per couple Northern on Sun_ KOPPS BAKERY _ The Best Sead: Cools, ‘Cakes and Pies in Nevada City. 320 Broad Street Phone 76 ‘SALES AND SERVICE a Plymouth ymot ES: Sa Pag ~ Cars Chasies E. Leiter DISTRIBUTOReauae DAY AND. NIGHT _ SERVICE, ANYWHERE _ AND ANYTIME Engine overhauling Valve grinding Brake adjustments C. E. Waite Supt. Repair Department NEVADA CITY GARAGE 128 Main Street Phone 133 NEVADA CITY. Association ! ’ the front seat. OBBERS’ ROOST by Zane Grey ¢ Copyright.—WNU Service. bod E, STORY CHAPTER I.—Jim Wall. Puncher from Wyoming, days of the cattle new fteld in Utah. He meets Hank Hays, who admits to being a robber, and tells Wall he is working for an Englishman named Herrick, who has located a big ranch in the mountains. Herrick has employed a small army of rustlers and gun-fighters, and Hays and others are plotting to steal their 7 ate young cowin the early industry, seeks a employer's cattle and money. Hays wants Wall to throw in with the rustlers. CHAPTER II.—At the little settlement of Green River, Hays gets into an argument with a gambler called Stud, over a poker game. Wall saves ! Hank’s life by bluffing the gambler out of shooting. With Hays and two other rustlers, Happy Jack and Lincoln, Jim Wall starts out for Herrick’s ranch. In camp, the first night out, Jim regrets the step ,-he has taken, too late to turn back. CHAPTER II!.—The four men arrive at the ranch. Herrick announces that his sister, Helen, is’ coming to the ranch. Hays unfolds his plan for getting possession of the 12,000 head of live stock on the Herrick Tranch. He and his lieutenants ride away to drive off the first bunch of cattle. Jim remains behind.to shoot it out, if necessary, with Heeseman, Hays’ rival among the cattle rustlers. Jim sees a dust cloud, which he is certain denotes the arrival of Heeseman and his gang. He stands with rifle ready. CHAPTER IV.—Heeseman telis Wall that Hays was once his (Heeseman’s) partner and. double-crossed~-him: Herrick delegates Jim to go to Grand Junction to meet Miss Herrick. Jim gets Barnes, a young. cowboy with him, to tell her that he (Jim) is a desperado of the worst type. Barnes does so, but the girl treats the information lightly CHAPTER V.—On his arrival at the ranch, with Helen, Jim is confronted by Hays, who betrays unusual interest in the coming of Miss Herrick. Jim tells Hays that Miss Herrick brought a Wells Fargo package, probably of money. Jim goes riding with the Herricks and greatly impresses Helen with bis revolver shooting. “Mr. Jim Wall, you're not in the least what my brother’s letters have led me to believe,” she said. ‘Letters !—Why Herrick has not had time to write about me,” exclaimed Jim, incredulously. “It takes long for a stage letter to go. I’ve been at Star ranch only a few days.” “Oh, he did not write about you. individually,” she laughed. “But from his letters about bandits and desperadoes I had evolved a rather frightful conception.” but it is “Thank you, Miss Herrick,” ‘he replied gravely. “Don’t trust appearances on our western border, . . . Will you get up? We must be going.” And he attempted to assist her inside the back seat of the buckboard. “If you are going to drive I want to sit in front.” she said, frankly. With a bow he helped her up the high step, cursing inwardly at Hank Hays and Herrick and the inscrutable fate that had brought this about. For some way or other he was lost. He almost forgot to wait for. Barnes, who was saying good-by to a red-cheeked, "wide-eyed girl in the crowd. Barnes came running to leap into the buckboard and then: Jim got in. Owing to the way he had packed the baggage there was not a great deal of room in His heavy gun and. sheath bumped -against. Miss, Herrick. “Rather tight. quarters, with. that gun there,” he remarked, and swung’ the shéath round in his lap. “Do you ‘sleep init?” she asked® quizzically. w “Yes.” And never am dressed in the daytime till it’s buckled on.’ “What startling folks, you western Americans !)t t4.>, “Some of us are indeed startling, I hope you won't find us unpleasantly so,” he replied,.and loosening the reins ‘let the spirited team go. In a few moments the noise, dust, heat and the staring populace of Grand Juncetion had been left far behind and the red and black ranges lifted above the meadows and sage “Oh, glorious!” she cried, and gazed raptly ahead as’ the. curving road brought into view a wonderful sweep of Utah. Jim was hard put to it to keep the blacks from breaking out of a brisk trot. He thought grimly that he would have liked to let the team run off and kill them both. Far better that than what might be! Miss Herrick’s photograph on her’ brother's desk fell infinitely short of doing her justice. It failed to give any hint of her color, of the vivid lips, of the glory and gleam of her hair, of the dancing, ‘laughing violet eves, of her pulsing vitality. Jim Wall felt the abundant life of this girl. It flowed out of her. It got into his veins. It heated his blood. “The wind makes me cry,” she said, merrily. “Or maybe it’s because I’m so happy. You say we'll get to Star ranch before dark?” “Surely.” “Oh, it’s been such a long, slow, dusty, cramped journey,” she _ exclaimed. ‘But now I want to see, to smell, to feel, to gloat.” “Miss Herrick, this\is fine country. But tame compared to that all about the Henrys. You will see them when we top the next hill. ‘I’ve seen most of the West. And the canyon.desert below Star ranch is the wildest and most sublime of all the West, prob‘ably of the whole world.” “Indeed. You speak strongly, not to say surprisingly. It never occurred to me that a gunman—that is what you are, preciation of the wonder and beauty of nature.” “A common mistake, Miss Herrick,” rejoined Jim. “Nature develops the men who spend their lonely, hard, bloody lives with her. Mostly she makes them into beasts, with ~selfpreservation the only instinct, but it is conceivable that one now and then might develop the opposite way.” “You: interest me,” she replied, simply. “Tell me of this canyon desert and such men.” Jim talked for a full hour, inspired by her unflagging interest. He described the magnificent reaches and escarpments ending in Wild Horse mesa, and the unknown canyoned abyss between it and Navajo mountains, and lastly, the weird, ghastly brakes of the Dirty Devil. “Ugh, how you make me shiver!” she ejaculated. “But it’s wonderful. people, of fog; rain, dirt, I’m sick of cold, noise. I'd like to get lost down in.those red canyons! CHAPTER V They came to a long, level valley, where the white road was like a floor, and the horses went like the wind. What was going to be the effect of this extraordinary woman upon fierce men of'this lonely region? that swarthy Hank Hays! At last the horses had to be held in at the base of the longest ascent on the journey. Miss Herrick tucked her disheveled hair with the ends of the veil underneath the edges of her bonnet. “What a run! I'm used to horses— but not tearing along—with a vehicle like this,” she said, bréathlessly. “Wait till one of these old drivers Upon gets a chance at you. I[’m really no teamster.” “Are you a cowboy?” “Didn’t young Barnes tell you who and what I am?” queried Jim, turning to her. “I grasped that you were a stranger to Utah—that you were from Wyoming, where you had’killed many bad men, and that your mere reputation was enough out here to keep rustlers and desperadoes away from Star ranch. Mr. Wall, you certainly are a hero in, his eyes.” It did not take great perspicuity to grasp that Jim was not far from that in her eyes. He groaned in spirit. “T see that you will not tell me about yourself,” she went on. “Pardon my inquisitiveness. But I must inform you that I expect to go into the ranching business with my brother. You will be working for me, then, as well.” “TI hope you don’t, Miss Herrick,” he burst out, impulsively. “Somebody must tell you, it oughtn’t come from a—a—rider like me. -But this is no place for such a girl as you.” “What do you mean, Mr. Wall? That hardly seems a compliment to me. I can work, and I want to.” “Miss Herrick, you didn’t get my meaning,” replied Jim, hastily, with strong feeling. “It is not you who couldn’t fit in. You've convinced me you could. And that is the biggest compliment I could pay you. . I meant that you will not be able to live, and work too, the way you want to. You dare not ride around—or even leave the house. Even that—” “Wor mercy’s sake, why not?” she demanded, in astonishment. “Because, young woman, you are too new, too strange, too lovely to risk yourself in sight of these men at the ranch. Not all of them. But some of them.” “You cannot be serious.” “T swear it, Miss Herrick.” “But what of the vaunted chivalry of westerners? I’ve read of Fremont, Kit Carson, Crook, and many others. And. of the thousands who are unsung,” “That is true, " he desi his voice husky. “Thank God, I can say so. But you won't find that at Star ranch.” “You say I am too new, strange, too—too lovely to risk—I understand you, of course. I must doubt it, despite your evident strong feeling. You may be playing a western joke on me.” “T wish I was.” “My brother will know, if there is anything in what you say.” “No! No!” burst out Jim. “Herrick doesn’t know. He never will know. He can’t see through a millstone with a hole in it. Oh, don’t misunderstand me, Herrick is a fine chap, but this is no place for an English gentleman and sportsman, any more than it is a fit place for his sister.” “That is for us to decide,” she returned, coldly. “I shall ride, anywhere and everywhere. I've always ridden. I'd go mad not to get on a horse in this glorious country.” “T’ve done my best. I’ve told you,” he said, curtly, as if he were also addressing his conscience. “J thank you, Mr. Wall,” she said,. quick to catch the change in him. “No doubt you western folks regard Bernie as eccentric. And I'm bound to admit his ranching idea—ripping as it is. to us—must appear new and strange to you. So I’ll compromise. [If it's really dangerous for me to ride about alone, I. will take you with.me. Not, however, that I'd be afraid to go alone. Then I would be perfectly safe, would IT not? ‘ Wall flicked the reins. °“Took, Miss Herrick. We’re on top at last. There’s your country. ‘The black snow-capped mountains are the Henrys. We go through that gap--a pass—to Star ranch. That purple space to the left--with the lines and streaks—that’s the desert.” is it not?—could have any ap-. the . Pp stm halted the horses avd ginea: himself trying to see with this stran-, ger’s eyes. He had more—-a feeling that -it would not be long until the open wasteland claimed him again. For him the bursting of one of the Henry peaks into voleanic eruption would be no more startling than what would accruefrom the advent of this white-faced, golden-haired woman. Jim drove down the hill, and again put the blacks to a keen gait ona level road, this time a straight, white line across a longer valley. Jim calculated that he would beat the time he had declared, and reach Star ranch before sundown. When he drove past Heeseman’s camp al) that worthy’s outfit were at supper. The road passed within fifty feet of their chuck wagon, “What a ruffianly crew!” murmured Miss Herrick. ‘Who, pray, are these men?” “Part of the outfit your brother hired to protect -bis cattle from rustlers,” replied Jim. “Funny thing about that is,they are rustlers themselves.” “Deliciously funny, though hardly so for Bernie. Does he know it?” “Not to my knowledge. Heeseman— the leader of that gang—came on his own recommendation and got the job.” “Tl have the fun of telling Bernie. Oh, what’s that,. What an enormous barn! All yellow, And a new one going up. Logs and logs. . . Look at the horses! I want to stop.” “No, Miss: Herrick,” he replied grimly. “PU drive you home safely or die in the attempt, Don’t look at this tall man we’re coming to.” “Which?”. she asked, laughingly. “The one standing farthest out,” re plied Jim. “He’s got on a black sombrero. Don’t look at him. That’s Ifank Hays. Miss Herrick, drop your veil.” She obeyed, unobtrusively, though her silvery laugh pealed out. “You are teasing, of ceuvrse. But I must reward your effort to entertain me.” Jim drove by Hays, who stood apart from a group of cowboys. If he noticed Jim at all, it’ was totally oblivious to Jim. But Wall's glance, never so strained, pierced the shadow under Hays’ dark sombrero rim to the strange eyes below. They were not pale now. Jim’s hand clenched tight on the reins. He became preoccupied with the nucleus of ‘the first deadly thought toward Hays. “Hank Hays. Who is he?” Miss Herrick was saying. “Another of your brother’s — vigflantes.” “Ugh! How he stared! But it wasn’t that which struck me most. In India I’ve seen cobras rise and poise, ready to strike. And your Mr. Hays looked for all the world like a giant cobra with a black sombrero on its head. Wasn't that silly of me?” “Not _ silly. An instinct. Selfpreservation,” returned Jim, sternly. She passed that by, but only perhaps because she caught sight of the ranchhotse up the slope. Here her enthusiasm was unbounded. Herrick stood on the porch steps with his dogs. He wore high boots and a red coat. He waved. Presently Jim reined in the sweating horses before the steps. He was most curious to see the meeting between brother and sister. She stood up. “Bernie, old top, here I am,” said, gayly. “Yes, here you are, Helen,” he re-. plied, and stepped out to help her alight. “Did you have a nice trip?” “Ripping—from Grand Junction in.” They did not embrace or even shake hands. Jim, coming to himself, leaped out and began removing the’ bags. Barnes, whom he had totally forgotten, jumped out on the other side. “Barnes, carry the bags in. Jim, hurry the blacks down. They’re hot. You must have pushed them.” “Yes, sir. Stage was late, but we made up for it.” “Helen’s where’s. that Wells-Fargo package?” queried Herrick. “Here in my satchel. Ch, Bernie, it’s good to get home—if this can be home.” “Come in and take off that veil,” he said, and with his arm in hers led her up on the porch. Jim let Barnes take the team, she while . he crossed. the bench and made his way down the. steep, rocky declivity to Hays’ cabin. Happy Jack was whistling about the fire, knocking pans and otherwise indicating the proximity of supper. “Howdy, Jack. day?” asked Jim. “Glad you’re back, -Jim,” declared the cook, cordially. “Anyone’d have thunk you was goin’ to dish the outfit —judgin' from Hays. He’s been like a hound on a-leash. Smoky rode in today full of ginger, news, an’ a roll of long green that'd have choked a cow. But even thet didn’t ease the boss.” “What ailed him, Jack?” Jim, not without impatience. “Dinged if I know. It had to do with your goin’ to Grand, a darned sight more than Smoky’s.” Heavy footfalls outside attested to the return of Hays. Without more comment Jim stood up and away from the table, to face the door. Hays entered. He was not the genial Hays of other days, yet it was hard to define the change in him, unless it consisted in a gloomy, restless force behind his stride. Smoky followed him in, agreeable by contrast, “Hullo, here you air. I waited at the barn,” said Hays gruffly. “Howdy, boss. I took a short cut down,” replied Jim, . “T seen Barnes an’ had a word with him. So your trip come off all right? You shore made them blacks step.” “It wasn’t as pleasant a drive as What’s inquired “Haw! You must be one of them women-haters, Outside of thet side of it, what happened to jar you?” “Nothing to concern you 'or—your outfit. Smoky saw. me yesterday before I got a line on him. He ducked off the road. At Grand Junction nobody paid any more attention to me than I'd expect.” , “Ahuh. Thet’s good,” replied Hays, and going over to the pack beside his bed he rummaged about to return with a packet, which he slapped down upon the. table. “There you air, Jim. deal.” The packet unrolled and spread out —hbills of large denomination. “What's this for?” queried Jim. “Quick actiony Thet’s how we work, Your share. Smoky fetched it.” On our first Jim did not care to give the impression that he was unused to this sort of thing. Straddling the bench he sat down to run through the bills. “Five thousand six hundred,” he said, as if to himself, and he slipped the money inside his pocket. “Much obliged, Smoky. Now I’ll be able to Sit in a little game of draw.” “Jim, ain’t you got any news at all?” inquired Hays, searchingly. “A feller with your ears an’ eyes shore would pick up somethin’,” “Miss Herrick fetched a Wells-Fargo package to her brother,” rejoined Jim, slowly. “Then it’s come," said Hays, cracking his hands. “Herrick was expectin’ money last stage.” After supper Smoky to break silence: “Boss, now Wall is back you can make up your mind about what I’d like to do.” “Jim, listen to this: Smoky an’ the other fellers, except Brad, want to make a clean sweep with this next drive. What you think?” “Clean Herrick out?” asked Jim. “Thet’s the idee.” Jim pondered a moment. “It'd be harder work, but save time, and perhaps our bacon as well, These cowboys are going to find out pretty soon that the cattle have thinned out. If Smoky drives a couple thousand more #’ll be sure to be found out, sooner or later.” ; i “See thar, boss. Wall sees it just as Ido. There's plenty of water along the road an’ feed enough. . . . Let’s make it one big drive.” “Wal, it’d mean leavin’ Star Ranch sudden,” cogitated the robber chief. “Shore. An’ thet’s good.” “But I don’t want to pull out of here sudden,” declared Hays. “Why not, if we get away -~with ten thousand head?” queried Smoky, astounded. “Thet ten thousand won’t close the deal I’m on.” “What’ve you got up your sleeve, was the first Hank?” “Thet’s my business. in’ cattle.” “You mean to rob the Englisher? Hank, don’t be a hawg!” “Hays, if you’ll excuse me, I’m thinking Smoky talks sense,” Jim, quietly. . “My mind’s made up. We’ll stick to our first idee. You fellers make drive after drive, goin’ slow. . . thet’ll give me time—” “Ahuh. So you'll risk goin’ agin’ the whole outfit,” interrupted Smoky, with a curious gaze at his superior. “Wal, yes, if you put it thet way,” replied Hays, and he stalked out. “Smoky, will you start the second drive tomorrow?” asked Wall. “Tll lay it up to my outfit. Wal, so long. See you soon, one way or another.” He went out. Jim heard a few sharp words pass between Smoky and Hays, and then silence. Next day he went back to work on the new barn. A subtle. change in Hank Hays augmented his suspicion of that individual. Jim let him alone. Herrick was around as usual, inter‘ested in. every detail of the building. Hays had gone off with the cowboys across the valley to put them upon some job there, which no doubt was a ruse to keep them away from Limestone Springs, where most of the stock grazed. And the day had ended without one glimpse of Helen Herrick. At breakfast the following morning Hays surprised Jim. “Was. the Ilerrick girl out yesterday?” he inquired. “Didn't see her.” Yours is drivtricks for to; you'd imagine,” returned Jim, i sty. PATRONIZE NUGGET ADVERTISERS — IT PAYS! a ae a a ba “You didn’t say what kind of a . looker she was.” “Oh, that,” laughed Jim. “I forgot or didn’t think you were interested.” “Wal, I'd like to see her once before our deal’s off here.” ‘ Hays had his wish fulfilled next day. He was at work on the new barn, on the far side from where Jim was occupied, when Miss Herrick came down with her brother. Jim stared as if his eyes deceived him. An English riding habit was known to him only from pictures. She looked queenly. Jim did not look at her face. Besides, he wanted most to see the effect upon Hank Hays. That worthy’s hawklike head was erect, but Jim could not see the telltale eyes, Hays stood transfixed. Herrick and his sister walked toward Jim's side of the barn. “Good morning,” she said. “Bernie told me how you shot bob—no, jack rabbits—from the saddle. I want to see you do that. And I want to learn how. Will you show me?” “I'd be pleased, Miss Herrick.” “Tomorrow, then, you will ride with me?” “I’m at your. service.” “Wall, you'll oblige me by riding with my sister when it suits her,” said Herrick. “Yes, sir,” .returned Jim, gazing across at the statue-like Hays. The couple moved off toward the open yard, where mounted cowboys were leading out saddled horses. “JY geen her, Jim,” Hays said. interposed PAGE FIVE { 1 . “Tt seems Herrick told her about my . Shooting jacks from my horse, and she wants to see it done.” “You're goin’ ridin’ with her? The luck of some men!” “Hank, shall I tell Herrick you'll go in my stead?” c's @ come back. From cume an elusive man, That day ended Jim Wall's carpentry. On the next he. was summoned early after breakfast to ride with tre Herricks, Uner the stimulation of this girl’s inspiring presence Jim gave an exhibltion of swift and accurate shooting that surpassed any he had ever aecomplished. “Marvelous!” she exclaimed. “Helen, he’s a bally: good shot,” deelared Herrick. that hour he bebut unmistakable symptoms of jealousy, oceasioned, perhaps, by Jim’s report omakilling thirteen out of fifteen bounding jack rabbits. Happy Jack, wideeyed and loud-voiced, acclaimed Jim’sfeat as one in a thousand, “Air you thet good frontin' a man who you know is swift?” drawled the robber chief. Jim stared. “Hank, I’m not so good then,” he replied, slowly. “Wal, somebody’ll try you out. one of these days,” added Hays. “IT daresay,” he rejoined, coolly, and sought his seclusion. He refused to let that linger in. his mind. Something else haunted him, His.slumber was troubled. (To Be Continued) POLITICIAL CANDIDATES GEORGE R. CARTER (Incumbent) is candidate for Sheriff, Nevada County at the General Election, Tuesday, November 6, 1934. CARL J. TOBIASSEN Is a candidate for the office of Sheriff of Nevada County at the General Election, Tuesday, November 6, 1934. I WANT TO SELECT a reliable young man, now employed, with FORESIGHT, fair education and mechanical inclinations, who is willing to train spare time or evenings in Nevada City, to qualify. as INSTALLATION and SERVICE expert on all types of Electric Refrigerators. For interview write, giving age a present . occupation. UTILITIES ENGINEERING INSTITUTE 404 N. .Wells St. Chicago, Hi UNION HOTEL BARBER SHOP NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS Specializing in Ladies’ and Children’s Haircutting, Massaging and Shampooing ° Tom J. Zupan, Proprietor Main Street Nevada City AY YOU GET . MEAT COO! (LIKE THIS will satisfy the most © fastidious guest or. the fussiest husband For many years this market has so well served the people of Nevada City, that today we still have the patronage of the majority of families who were our first customers. “Nix, much as I’d like to, I can’t hit jumpin’ rabbits.” , . Tiuvs hose round the barn, mostly idle, avutching the valley, until the Herrictss returned. The cowboys. brought the horses down. Whereupon Hays abruptly left. And he did. not That night Hank Hays evinced slight -

MONDAY, SEPT. 24, 1934 Bin NEVADA Sie NUGGET ~— THE GREATEST EVENT OF THE SEASON +) Don't Miss the Grass Valley Firemen’s ca Convention Ball _ Which takes place SATURDAY! . . RIGHT September 29, 1934 In the Beautiful Ballroom of the VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING Hottest Hotcha Melodies by a *Renowned Dance Band Given as a fund raising benefit to defray costs of holding California *« Firemen’'s Convention in Grass Valley day, September 30. Dancing from 9 o'clock on Admission $1.00 per couple Northern on Sun_ KOPPS BAKERY _ The Best Sead: Cools, ‘Cakes and Pies in Nevada City. 320 Broad Street Phone 76 ‘SALES AND SERVICE a Plymouth ymot ES: Sa Pag ~ Cars Chasies E. Leiter DISTRIBUTOReauae DAY AND. NIGHT _ SERVICE, ANYWHERE _ AND ANYTIME Engine overhauling Valve grinding Brake adjustments C. E. Waite Supt. Repair Department NEVADA CITY GARAGE 128 Main Street Phone 133 NEVADA CITY. Association ! ’ the front seat. OBBERS’ ROOST by Zane Grey ¢ Copyright.—WNU Service. bod E, STORY CHAPTER I.—Jim Wall. Puncher from Wyoming, days of the cattle new fteld in Utah. He meets Hank Hays, who admits to being a robber, and tells Wall he is working for an Englishman named Herrick, who has located a big ranch in the mountains. Herrick has employed a small army of rustlers and gun-fighters, and Hays and others are plotting to steal their 7 ate young cowin the early industry, seeks a employer's cattle and money. Hays wants Wall to throw in with the rustlers. CHAPTER II.—At the little settlement of Green River, Hays gets into an argument with a gambler called Stud, over a poker game. Wall saves ! Hank’s life by bluffing the gambler out of shooting. With Hays and two other rustlers, Happy Jack and Lincoln, Jim Wall starts out for Herrick’s ranch. In camp, the first night out, Jim regrets the step ,-he has taken, too late to turn back. CHAPTER II!.—The four men arrive at the ranch. Herrick announces that his sister, Helen, is’ coming to the ranch. Hays unfolds his plan for getting possession of the 12,000 head of live stock on the Herrick Tranch. He and his lieutenants ride away to drive off the first bunch of cattle. Jim remains behind.to shoot it out, if necessary, with Heeseman, Hays’ rival among the cattle rustlers. Jim sees a dust cloud, which he is certain denotes the arrival of Heeseman and his gang. He stands with rifle ready. CHAPTER IV.—Heeseman telis Wall that Hays was once his (Heeseman’s) partner and. double-crossed~-him: Herrick delegates Jim to go to Grand Junction to meet Miss Herrick. Jim gets Barnes, a young. cowboy with him, to tell her that he (Jim) is a desperado of the worst type. Barnes does so, but the girl treats the information lightly CHAPTER V.—On his arrival at the ranch, with Helen, Jim is confronted by Hays, who betrays unusual interest in the coming of Miss Herrick. Jim tells Hays that Miss Herrick brought a Wells Fargo package, probably of money. Jim goes riding with the Herricks and greatly impresses Helen with bis revolver shooting. “Mr. Jim Wall, you're not in the least what my brother’s letters have led me to believe,” she said. ‘Letters !—Why Herrick has not had time to write about me,” exclaimed Jim, incredulously. “It takes long for a stage letter to go. I’ve been at Star ranch only a few days.” “Oh, he did not write about you. individually,” she laughed. “But from his letters about bandits and desperadoes I had evolved a rather frightful conception.” but it is “Thank you, Miss Herrick,” ‘he replied gravely. “Don’t trust appearances on our western border, . . . Will you get up? We must be going.” And he attempted to assist her inside the back seat of the buckboard. “If you are going to drive I want to sit in front.” she said, frankly. With a bow he helped her up the high step, cursing inwardly at Hank Hays and Herrick and the inscrutable fate that had brought this about. For some way or other he was lost. He almost forgot to wait for. Barnes, who was saying good-by to a red-cheeked, "wide-eyed girl in the crowd. Barnes came running to leap into the buckboard and then: Jim got in. Owing to the way he had packed the baggage there was not a great deal of room in His heavy gun and. sheath bumped -against. Miss, Herrick. “Rather tight. quarters, with. that gun there,” he remarked, and swung’ the shéath round in his lap. “Do you ‘sleep init?” she asked® quizzically. w “Yes.” And never am dressed in the daytime till it’s buckled on.’ “What startling folks, you western Americans !)t t4.>, “Some of us are indeed startling, I hope you won't find us unpleasantly so,” he replied,.and loosening the reins ‘let the spirited team go. In a few moments the noise, dust, heat and the staring populace of Grand Juncetion had been left far behind and the red and black ranges lifted above the meadows and sage “Oh, glorious!” she cried, and gazed raptly ahead as’ the. curving road brought into view a wonderful sweep of Utah. Jim was hard put to it to keep the blacks from breaking out of a brisk trot. He thought grimly that he would have liked to let the team run off and kill them both. Far better that than what might be! Miss Herrick’s photograph on her’ brother's desk fell infinitely short of doing her justice. It failed to give any hint of her color, of the vivid lips, of the glory and gleam of her hair, of the dancing, ‘laughing violet eves, of her pulsing vitality. Jim Wall felt the abundant life of this girl. It flowed out of her. It got into his veins. It heated his blood. “The wind makes me cry,” she said, merrily. “Or maybe it’s because I’m so happy. You say we'll get to Star ranch before dark?” “Surely.” “Oh, it’s been such a long, slow, dusty, cramped journey,” she _ exclaimed. ‘But now I want to see, to smell, to feel, to gloat.” “Miss Herrick, this\is fine country. But tame compared to that all about the Henrys. You will see them when we top the next hill. ‘I’ve seen most of the West. And the canyon.desert below Star ranch is the wildest and most sublime of all the West, prob‘ably of the whole world.” “Indeed.. You speak strongly, not to say surprisingly. It never occurred to me that a gunman—that is what you are, preciation of the wonder and beauty of nature.” “A common mistake, Miss Herrick,” rejoined Jim. “Nature develops the men who spend their lonely, hard, bloody lives with her. Mostly she makes them into beasts, with ~selfpreservation the only instinct, but it is conceivable that one now and then might develop the opposite way.” “You: interest me,” she replied, simply. “Tell me of this canyon desert and such men.” Jim talked for a full hour, inspired by her unflagging interest. He described the magnificent reaches and escarpments ending in Wild Horse mesa, and the unknown canyoned abyss between it and Navajo mountains, and lastly, the weird, ghastly brakes of the Dirty Devil. “Ugh, how you make me shiver!” she ejaculated. “But it’s wonderful. people, of fog; rain, dirt, I’m sick of cold, noise. I'd like to get lost down in.those red canyons! CHAPTER V They came to a long, level valley, where the white road was like a floor, and the horses went like the wind. What was going to be the effect of this extraordinary woman upon fierce men of'this lonely region? that swarthy Hank Hays! At last the horses had to be held in at the base of the longest ascent on the journey. Miss Herrick tucked her disheveled hair with the ends of the veil underneath the edges of her bonnet. “What a run! I'm used to horses— but not tearing along—with a vehicle like this,” she said, bréathlessly. “Wait till one of these old drivers Upon gets a chance at you. I[’m really no teamster.” “Are you a cowboy?” “Didn’t young Barnes tell you who and what I am?” queried Jim, turning to her. “I grasped that you were a stranger to Utah—that you were from Wyoming, where you had’killed many bad men, and that your mere reputation was enough out here to keep rustlers and desperadoes away from Star ranch. Mr. Wall, you certainly are a hero in, his eyes.” It did not take great perspicuity to grasp that Jim was not far from that in her eyes. He groaned in spirit. “T see that you will not tell me about yourself,” she went on. “Pardon my inquisitiveness. But I must inform you that I expect to go into the ranching business with my brother. You will be working for me, then, as well.” “TI hope you don’t, Miss Herrick,” he burst out, impulsively. “Somebody must tell you, it oughtn’t come from a—a—rider like me. -But this is no place for such a girl as you.” “What do you mean, Mr. Wall? That hardly seems a compliment to me. I can work, and I want to.” “Miss Herrick, you didn’t get my meaning,” replied Jim, hastily, with strong feeling. “It is not you who couldn’t fit in. You've convinced me you could. And that is the biggest compliment I could pay you. . I meant that you will not be able to live, and work too, the way you want to. You dare not ride around—or even leave the house. Even that—” “Wor mercy’s sake, why not?” she demanded, in astonishment. “Because, young woman, you are too new, too strange, too lovely to risk yourself in sight of these men at the ranch. Not all of them. But some of them.” “You cannot be serious.” “T swear it, Miss Herrick.” “But what of the vaunted chivalry of westerners? I’ve read of Fremont, Kit Carson, Crook, and many others. And. of the thousands who are unsung,” “That is true, " he desi his voice husky. “Thank God, I can say so. But you won't find that at Star ranch.” “You say I am too new, strange, too—too lovely to risk—I understand you, of course. I must doubt it, despite your evident strong feeling. You may be playing a western joke on me.” “T wish I was.” “My brother will know, if there is anything in what you say.” “No! No!” burst out Jim. “Herrick doesn’t know. He never will know. He can’t see through a millstone with a hole in it. Oh, don’t misunderstand me, Herrick is a fine chap, but this is no place for an English gentleman and sportsman, any more than it is a fit place for his sister.” “That is for us to decide,” she returned, coldly. “I shall ride, anywhere and everywhere. I've always ridden. I'd go mad not to get on a horse in this glorious country.” “T’ve done my best. I’ve told you,” he said, curtly, as if he were also addressing his conscience. “J thank you, Mr. Wall,” she said,. quick to catch the change in him. “No doubt you western folks regard Bernie as eccentric. And I'm bound to admit his ranching idea—ripping as it is. to us—must appear new and strange to you. So I’ll compromise. [If it's really dangerous for me to ride about alone, I. will take you with.me. Not, however, that I'd be afraid to go alone. Then I would be perfectly safe, would IT not? ‘ Wall flicked the reins. °“Took, Miss Herrick. We’re on top at last. There’s your country. ‘The black snow-capped mountains are the Henrys. We go through that gap--a pass—to Star ranch. That purple space to the left--with the lines and streaks—that’s the desert.” is it not?—could have any ap-. the . Pp stm halted the horses avd ginea: himself trying to see with this stran-, ger’s eyes. He had more—-a feeling that -it would not be long until the open wasteland claimed him again. For him the bursting of one of the Henry peaks into voleanic eruption would be no more startling than what would accruefrom the advent of this white-faced, golden-haired woman. Jim drove down the hill, and again put the blacks to a keen gait ona level road, this time a straight, white line across a longer valley. Jim calculated that he would beat the time he had declared, and reach Star ranch before sundown. When he drove past Heeseman’s camp al) that worthy’s outfit were at supper. The road passed within fifty feet of their chuck wagon, “What a ruffianly crew!” murmured Miss Herrick. ‘Who, pray, are these

men?” “Part of the outfit your brother hired to protect -bis cattle from rustlers,” replied Jim. “Funny thing about that is,they are rustlers themselves.” “Deliciously funny, though hardly so for Bernie. Does he know it?” “Not to my knowledge. Heeseman— the leader of that gang—came on his own recommendation and got the job.” “Tl have the fun of telling Bernie. Oh, what’s that,. What an enormous barn! All yellow, And a new one going up. Logs and logs. . . Look at the horses! I want to stop.” “No, Miss: Herrick,” he replied grimly. “PU drive you home safely or die in the attempt, Don’t look at this tall man we’re coming to.” “Which?”. she asked, laughingly. “The one standing farthest out,” re plied Jim. “He’s got on a black sombrero. Don’t look at him. That’s Ifank Hays. Miss Herrick, drop your veil.” She obeyed, unobtrusively, though her silvery laugh pealed out. “You are teasing, of ceuvrse. But I must reward your effort to entertain me.” Jim drove by Hays, who stood apart from a group of cowboys. If he noticed Jim at all, it’ was totally oblivious to Jim. But Wall's glance, never so strained, pierced the shadow under Hays’ dark sombrero rim to the strange eyes below. They were not pale now. Jim’s hand clenched tight on the reins. He became preoccupied with the nucleus of ‘the first deadly thought toward Hays. “Hank Hays. Who is he?” Miss Herrick was saying. “Another of your brother’s — vigflantes.” “Ugh! How he stared! But it wasn’t that which struck me most. In India I’ve seen cobras rise and poise, ready to strike. And your Mr. Hays looked for all the world like a giant cobra with a black sombrero on its head. Wasn't that silly of me?” “Not _ silly. An instinct. Selfpreservation,” returned Jim, sternly. She passed that by, but only perhaps because she caught sight of the ranchhotse up the slope. Here her enthusiasm was unbounded. Herrick stood on the porch steps with his dogs. He wore high boots and a red coat. He waved. Presently Jim reined in the sweating horses before the steps. He was most curious to see the meeting between brother and sister. She stood up. “Bernie, old top, here I am,” said, gayly. “Yes, here you are, Helen,” he re-. plied, and stepped out to help her alight. “Did you have a nice trip?” “Ripping—from Grand Junction in.” They did not embrace or even shake hands. Jim, coming to himself, leaped out and began removing the’ bags. Barnes, whom he had totally forgotten, jumped out on the other side. “Barnes, carry the bags in. Jim, hurry the blacks down. They’re hot. You must have pushed them.” “Yes, sir. Stage was late, but we made up for it.” “Helen’s where’s. that Wells-Fargo package?” queried Herrick. “Here in my satchel. Ch, Bernie, it’s good to get home—if this can be home.” “Come in and take off that veil,” he said, and with his arm in hers led her up on the porch. Jim let Barnes take the team, she while . he crossed. the bench and made his way down the. steep, rocky declivity to Hays’ cabin. Happy Jack was whistling about the fire, knocking pans and otherwise indicating the proximity of supper. “Howdy, Jack. day?” asked Jim. “Glad you’re back, -Jim,” declared the cook, cordially. “Anyone’d have thunk you was goin’ to dish the outfit —judgin' from Hays. He’s been like a hound on a-leash. Smoky rode in today full of ginger, news, an’ a roll of long green that'd have choked a cow. But even thet didn’t ease the boss.” “What ailed him, Jack?” Jim, not without impatience. “Dinged if I know. It had to do with your goin’ to Grand, a darned sight more than Smoky’s.” Heavy footfalls outside attested to the return of Hays. Without more comment Jim stood up and away from the table, to face the door. Hays entered. He was not the genial Hays of other days, yet it was hard to define the change in him, unless it consisted in a gloomy, restless force behind his stride. Smoky followed him in, agreeable by contrast, “Hullo, here you air. I waited at the barn,” said Hays gruffly. “Howdy, boss. I took a short cut down,” replied Jim, . “T seen Barnes an’ had a word with him. So your trip come off all right? You shore made them blacks step.” “It wasn’t as pleasant a drive as What’s inquired “Haw! You must be one of them women-haters, Outside of thet side of it, what happened to jar you?” “Nothing to concern you 'or—your outfit. Smoky saw. me yesterday before I got a line on him. He ducked off the road. At Grand Junction nobody paid any more attention to me than I'd expect.” , “Ahuh. Thet’s good,” replied Hays, and going over to the pack beside his bed he rummaged about to return with a packet, which he slapped down upon the. table. “There you air, Jim. deal.” The packet unrolled and spread out —hbills of large denomination. “What's this for?” queried Jim. “Quick actiony Thet’s how we work, Your share. Smoky fetched it.” On our first Jim did not care to give the impression that he was unused to this sort of thing. Straddling the bench he sat down to run through the bills. “Five thousand six hundred,” he said, as if to himself, and he slipped the money inside his pocket. “Much obliged, Smoky. Now I’ll be able to Sit in a little game of draw.” “Jim, ain’t you got any news at all?” inquired Hays, searchingly. “A feller with your ears an’ eyes shore would pick up somethin’,” “Miss Herrick fetched a Wells-Fargo package to her brother,” rejoined Jim, slowly. “Then it’s come," said Hays, cracking his hands. “Herrick was expectin’ money last stage.” After supper Smoky to break silence: “Boss, now Wall is back you can make up your mind about what I’d like to do.” “Jim, listen to this: Smoky an’ the other fellers, except Brad, want to make a clean sweep with this next drive. What you think?” “Clean Herrick out?” asked Jim. “Thet’s the idee.” Jim pondered a moment. “It'd be harder work, but save time, and perhaps our bacon as well, These cowboys are going to find out pretty soon that the cattle have thinned out. If Smoky drives a couple thousand more #’ll be sure to be found out, sooner or later.” ; i “See thar, boss. Wall sees it just as Ido. There's plenty of water along the road an’ feed enough. . . . Let’s make it one big drive.” “Wal, it’d mean leavin’ Star Ranch sudden,” cogitated the robber chief. “Shore. An’ thet’s good.” “But I don’t want to pull out of here sudden,” declared Hays. “Why not, if we get away -~with ten thousand head?” queried Smoky, astounded. “Thet ten thousand won’t close the deal I’m on.” “What’ve you got up your sleeve, was the first Hank?” “Thet’s my business. in’ cattle.” “You mean to rob the Englisher? Hank, don’t be a hawg!” “Hays, if you’ll excuse me, I’m thinking Smoky talks sense,” Jim, quietly. . “My mind’s made up. We’ll stick to our first idee. You fellers make drive after drive, goin’ slow. . . thet’ll give me time—” “Ahuh. So you'll risk goin’ agin’ the whole outfit,” interrupted Smoky, with a curious gaze at his superior. “Wal, yes, if you put it thet way,” replied Hays, and he stalked out. “Smoky, will you start the second drive tomorrow?” asked Wall. “Tll lay it up to my outfit. Wal, so long. See you soon, one way or another.” He went out. Jim heard a few sharp words pass between Smoky and Hays, and then silence. Next day he went back to work on the new barn. A subtle. change in Hank Hays augmented his suspicion of that individual. Jim let him alone. Herrick was around as usual, inter‘ested in. every detail of the building. Hays had gone off with the cowboys across the valley to put them upon some job there, which no doubt was a ruse to keep them away from Limestone Springs, where most of the stock grazed. And the day had ended without one glimpse of Helen Herrick. At breakfast the following morning Hays surprised Jim. “Was. the Ilerrick girl out yesterday?” he inquired. “Didn't see her.” Yours is drivtricks for to; you'd imagine,” returned Jim, i sty. PATRONIZE NUGGET ADVERTISERS — IT PAYS! a ae a a ba “You didn’t say what kind of a . looker she was.” “Oh, that,” laughed Jim. “I forgot or didn’t think you were interested.” “Wal, I'd like to see her once before our deal’s off here.” ‘ Hays had his wish fulfilled next day. He was at work on the new barn, on the far side from where Jim was occupied, when Miss Herrick came down with her brother. Jim stared as if his eyes deceived him. An English riding habit was known to him only from pictures. She looked queenly. Jim did not look at her face. Besides, he wanted most to see the effect upon Hank Hays. That worthy’s hawklike head was erect, but Jim could not see the telltale eyes, Hays stood transfixed. Herrick and his sister walked toward Jim's side of the barn. “Good morning,” she said. “Bernie told me how you shot bob—no, jack rabbits—from the saddle. I want to see you do that. And I want to learn how. Will you show me?” “I'd be pleased, Miss Herrick.” “Tomorrow, then, you will ride with me?” “I’m at your. service.” “Wall, you'll oblige me by riding with my sister when it suits her,” said Herrick. “Yes, sir,” .returned Jim, gazing across at the statue-like Hays. The couple moved off toward the open yard, where mounted cowboys were leading out saddled horses. “JY geen her, Jim,” Hays said. interposed PAGE FIVE { 1 . “Tt seems Herrick told her about my . Shooting jacks from my horse, and she wants to see it done.” “You're goin’ ridin’ with her? The luck of some men!” “Hank, shall I tell Herrick you'll go in my stead?” c's @ come back. From cume an elusive man, That day ended Jim Wall's carpentry. On the next he. was summoned early after breakfast to ride with tre Herricks, Uner the stimulation of this girl’s inspiring presence Jim gave an exhibltion of swift and accurate shooting that surpassed any he had ever aecomplished. “Marvelous!” she exclaimed. “Helen, he’s a bally: good shot,” deelared Herrick. that hour he bebut unmistakable symptoms of jealousy, oceasioned, perhaps, by Jim’s report omakilling thirteen out of fifteen bounding jack rabbits. Happy Jack, wideeyed and loud-voiced, acclaimed Jim’sfeat as one in a thousand, “Air you thet good frontin' a man who you know is swift?” drawled the robber chief. Jim stared. “Hank, I’m not so good then,” he replied, slowly. “Wal, somebody’ll try you out. one of these days,” added Hays. “IT daresay,” he rejoined, coolly, and sought his seclusion. He refused to let that linger in. his mind. Something else haunted him, His.slumber was troubled. (To Be Continued) POLITICIAL CANDIDATES GEORGE R. CARTER (Incumbent) is candidate for Sheriff, Nevada County at the General Election, Tuesday, November 6, 1934. CARL J. TOBIASSEN Is a candidate for the office of Sheriff of Nevada County at the General Election, Tuesday, November 6, 1934. I WANT TO SELECT a reliable young man, now employed, with FORESIGHT, fair education and mechanical inclinations, who is willing to train spare time or evenings in Nevada City, to qualify. as INSTALLATION and SERVICE expert on all types of Electric Refrigerators. For interview write, giving age a present . occupation. UTILITIES ENGINEERING INSTITUTE 404 N. .Wells St. Chicago, Hi UNION HOTEL BARBER SHOP NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS Specializing in Ladies’ and Children’s Haircutting, Massaging and Shampooing ° Tom J. Zupan, Proprietor Main Street Nevada City AY YOU GET . MEAT COO! (LIKE THIS will satisfy the most © fastidious guest or. the fussiest husband For many years this market has so well served the people of Nevada City, that today we still have the patronage of the majority of families who were our first customers. “Nix, much as I’d like to, I can’t hit jumpin’ rabbits.” , . Tiuvs hose round the barn, mostly idle, avutching the valley, until the Herrictss returned. The cowboys. brought the horses down. Whereupon Hays abruptly left. And he did. not That night Hank Hays evinced slight -