CHAPTER I . tf One afternoon in the spring of 1877 f solitary horseman rode down the long, ghastly desert slant in the direc tion of the ford at Green River, He was a young man in years, but he had the hard face and eagle eye of one matured in experience of that wild country. He bestrode a superb bay horse, dusty and travel-worn and a little lame. The rider was no slight burden, judging from his height and wide shoulders: moreover, the saddle carried a canteen, a rifle and a pack. At length he rode into a trail and soon came in sight of the wide band of green cottonwood, willow and ar row-weed, and the shining, muddy river. On the far side, up on the level, stood a green patch and a cluster of houses. This was the town of Green River, Utah. The rider needed to reach that town before dark. His food supply had run out two days ago. But unless there was a boat in which he could row across he would most likely not make it. His horse was too lame to risk in the eddles of that heavy, swirling, sand-laden river. He rode on down the trail to enter the zone of green. In the thick dust he noted fresh horse tracks. Under a cottonwood, some distance ahead, the rider espled a saddled horse, head down, cropping the grass. He proceeded more slowly, his sharp eyes vigilant, and was certain that he saw a man on the river bank, Presently he rode out into an open- ing from which he could see a place where a ferry touched. Moored to the opposite hank was the ferryboat. The rider sat his horse, aware that the man he had observed had stepped behind some willows. Such 8 move might have been casual. Then the man moved out into plain sight. “Howdy,” he said, laconically. “Howdy,” replied the rider. He be- came aware of a penetrating scrutiny which no doub® resembled his own. The rider saw a striking figure of a man, gray with dust, booted and spurred, armed to the teeth. His wide sombrero shadowed a sharp bold face. “Almin’ to cross? he queried. “Yes. I see a ferry boat over there.” But on the moment the rider was watching his questioner. Then he swept a long leg over the pommel and slid to the ground, without swerving In the slightest from a direct front. “Lucky for me if 1 can cross on it My horse is all in.” “Noticed thet. Fine hoss. Wal, I've been hangin’ around for am hour, waltin’ to go over. Reckon he'll be along soon.” “Town of Green River, isn't it? “Thet’s the handle. You're a stran- ger hereabouts?” *“l am that.” “Where you hall from? “lI suppose I might as well say Wyoming as any place,” returned the rider, casually. The other man relaxed with a laugh. “Shore. One place is good as another. Same a3 a pame. Mine Is Hank Hays." He spoke as If he expected it to be recognized, but it brought no reaction from his listener. “You know this country? queried the rider, and he too relaxed. “Tolerable.” “Maybe you can tell me whether I ought to stop or keep on traveling?” “Haw! Haw! [I shore can. But thet depends,” he said, pushing back his sombrero, “Depends on what?” the rider asked. “Wal, on you. Have you got any money “About ten dollars.” “Huh. You can't go in the ranch business with thet. Not regular ranch- in’. Lots of cattle between here an’ the brakes of the Dirty Devil Henry mountains, too. Some outfit over there. Alr you a cattleman? “No,” replied the rider, thoughtfully, “Wal, thet's straight talk from a stranger,” replied Hays, who evidently took the blunt denial as something sig- nificant. “Hullo, another rider. , . Shore the desert Is full of strangers today.” Back up the trail appeared a short, heavy man astride a horse and lead- ing two pack animals, “I saw him a while back. And here comes our ferryman. Looks like a boy.” “Hub. You haven't them eyes for nothin’. Wal, we'll get across now.” The rider, after another glance at the approaching man with the horses, took note of the ferry. Boat and third traveler arrived at the bank about the same time, Hays, after a sharp look at the man with the three horses, led his animal aboard. “How much is the fare?” queried the “Well sir, the regular fare Is two bits for each man an’ horse.” “Wall, now, what is this fussy old gesser about?” queried Hays, much £ : ¥ £ § } 2 F | f . : £ i £8 i : i 8 § 3 g g# g 5 i. f ! : by ZANE GREY Copyright. ~WNU Service. current, which caught it, and moved it across quite readily into the slack water on that side. “Didn't like that, did you, boy?" the rider said, as he led the animal ashore, Hays slapped his mount, driving him off the ferry, while he watched the stout man lead his three horses along the gunwale of the boat, until they could touch bottom. Heaving and splashing they waded out, and thelr owner followed, carrying one pack. “Fetch my other pack, boy,” he called, “Johnny, don't do nothin’ of the kind,” observed Hays, “I reckon I didn’t intend to,” sald the boy, resentfully. Puffing bard the stout man carried his second pack ashore. “You're not very—obliging,” he sald, gruffly, as he felt in his pocket for loose change. The ferryboy came ashore, followed by Hays. Presently the stout man, grumbling, and evidently annoyed at the necessity of producing a fat pocketbook, tcok out a one-dollar bill The rider, amused and Interested from his stand on the bank, saw some- “Throw Up Your Hands!" Sudden- ly Yelled Hays thing that made him start whipped out a gun. “Throw up your hands!" suddenly yelled Hays, “Wha-at's this? stout man gulped. Hays reached for the man's wallet Then he stepped back, but still with gun extended. “Get out of here now,” he ordered. And apparently he pald no more heed to his frightened victim, “Pretty well heeled, for an old bird,” observed the robber, squeezing the fat wallet, “You'll hear from me, you glib tongued robber,” replied the other, furiously, as he rode away. Hays sheathed his gun. He did not need to turn to face the rider, for, singularly enough, he had not done anything else, “How'd thet strike you, stranger?” “Pretty neat. It amused me” re plied the rider. “Is thet ali?” “1 guess so. The stingy old skin. flint deserved to be touched. Wasn't that a slick way to beat the boy here out of six bits?” “It shore was. An’ thet's what riled me. Reckon, though, If he hadn't flashed the wallet I'd been a little more circumspect.” “Is there a sheriff at Green River?” “1 never seen him, if there is. Wal, I'll be ridin’ along. Alr you comin’ with me, stranger?” “Might as well,” returned the other, “Stranger, what'd you say your name was?" “Call, me Wall, Jim Wall,” rejoined the rider. Hays’ nonchalance reassured Wall as to the status of Green River, “Any dance hall in this burg? asked Wall, “Nary dance hall, worse luck. Any weakness for such?” “Can't say It's a weakness, but the last two I bumped Into make me want to steer clear of more.” “Women?” queried the robber. “It wasn't any fault of mine.” “Wal, women ruined me,” returned Hays, sententiously. “You don't look it.” “Men never look what they alr.” “Don't agree with you. [I ean always tell what men are by thelr looks” “How'd you figure me?” demanded Hays, “I don't want to flatter you on such short acquaintance.” “Humph! Wal, here we air,” re plied the robber, halting before a red store building, A red-whigkered man appeared in the doorway that led into a saloon and lodging house. “Howdy, Red.” “Howdy, Hank.” “Eee anythin’ of a fat party, sort of puffy In the face? He was ridin’ a Hays R-robbers!™ the > lerin’ thet he wanted the sheriff ‘cause he'd been robbed, why, Happy up an says, ‘Hey, my friend, did he leave anythin’ on you? Then the feller up an’ rode off,” It was this speech of Red's that de cided several things for Jim Wall “I want to look after my horse, was all he salq, “Take him round back to the barn. I'm dog-tired. Send thet lazy Jake after my hoss." This edifice was the last one on the street. The barn mentioned some distance back, at the end of a pole fence. Upon turning a corner to enter the corral he loose-Jointed young man. “Say, are yon Jake?" he asked. “You bet,” returned the other, “There's a man out in calls himself Hank Hays. you to come get his horse. know him?” " to rush off, his boots thudding. “Enough sald,” muttered Wall bimself. “Mr. Hays stands well concerned.” Wall sauntered back and them. They turned at his Hays was the man called Red. “Hullo, here you air,” spoke Hays. “1 was speakin’ of you. Happy Jack an' Brad Lincoln. . Fellers, this stranger to Green River answers to the handle Jim Wall” one of the three offered a hand. To Wall the man called Happy Jack fitted his name. The only contradictory fea. ture lay In his guns. Like Hank Hays, he packed two. The other, Lin coln, was some one to look at twice— a swarthy, dark, restiess-eyed man, who, like Hays and his companion, had nothing of the cowboy stripe In his make-up. “Let's have a Hays, “Don't care if I do,” responded Wail The interior, bright with lamplight, proved to be more pretentious than the outside of the saloon. The men lined up at the bar, to be served drinks by Red, who was evil dently bartender as well as proprietor Wall missed nothing. “Cowpuncher? queried Lincoln. “Yes much of late years.” replied Wall “You've the cut of it.» Where you almin’ for? “No place In particular,” replied Wall, guardedly. “Might try riding here, If | can get on some outfit” “On the dodge? queried Lincoln. “What might you mean by ‘on the dodge’? “Anybody particular you? “l daresay. More than one man™ “So I thought, Friend, you have the cut, the eye, the movement, the hand of a gunfighter. [1 happen to know the brand.” “Yes? Well If that's so I hope It isn't against me In Utah™ Here Hays, who had heard this bit of dialogue, interposed both with per. son and speech: “Wall, thet's agin a man anywhere in the West, generally. So many fools wantin’ to try you out! Bat I reckon it's a ticket for my outfit” “Your outfit? questioned Wall “Shore. Don't mind Brad Let's go an’ eat. you later.” Wall followed Hays into a back room, where a woman waved them to seats at a table, At the conclusion of the meal Jim Wall had to guard himself against drink,” suggested lookin for from a full stomach. “Have a cigar,” offered Hays. “Don't care if 1 do.” It was empty except for Red, who was filling a lamp. stage. It's overdue now.” “Stage! From where? “West, so set easy.” laughed Hays “Thet one from east won't git in till next Wednesday. By thet time you won't be here” “No? Where will I be, since you seem to know?” “You may be In the garden of Eden, eatin’ peaches,” retorted Hays. “See here, Wall, you're a testy cuss. Any feller 1” 18," returned Wall, thoughtfully, I reckon I understand you better. What were you, Wall, once upon a time?" Wall laughed musingly. school teacher once” “Wal' I'll be dog-goned!” elicu- lated Hays. “It do beat all whit a man can be, at different times in his life. But U'm concerned with now. An’ I'd like to ask you some ques tions.” “Fire away.” “You sald you was broke?” Hays “A country “I will be when | pay night's lodging.” “Thet's on me. I'll stake you to some money. You'll want to set In the game with us?” “Any strings on a loan?" TO BE CONTINUED, Temperatures Vary Widely The moon at noon is hotter than boiling water, but at night its tempera. ture falls to several hundred degrees below sero. for this CHORE DVANCE fall fashions cause one to think In terms of handsome materials, for it is fine fabrics we're telling you, which will be making fine costumnes this season. The scheme of things for the new style program runs shout like a strikingly simple silhouette, with emphasis on the and un usuainess of the material whelh fash- this elegance fons It, relying on breathtaking neck- wear sets, buttons, buckles and count- less other unig ] to dramatize the whole, The big buttons which adorn the newly arrived frocks and wraps so spectacularly are of eye-filling propor. tions, some of them being simply enor mous. It is such bizarre details as these huge buttons which add unlimit- ed swank znd distinction to the other wise modestly styled fall modes, It does not take long after catching fall styles to realize how strong but. tons are going, In the new showings For example, consider the very good- looking town and country dress to the it! The shirtwalst dress of which is styled like a coat with buttons from neckline to hemline down the front and on the pockets, likewise the cuffs, tant numbers on the fall fashion pro- gram. It is self-evident that this spectacn. lar use of big buttons does a lot to distinguish this dress, but when f(t comes to keying enthusiasm to even a higher note, it Is the Intriguing ma- TRIMMINGS FEATURE FALL SHOE STYLES There are frills and thrills for the feet—if seeing Is believing. Afternoon dresses of marvelously prints are all arustle with frills and ruchings, large and small cuffs. And the new shoes are not to be They, too, repeat this ruf- The jJjustout blue and lined with stitched fiy bows, odd trimmings white and knotted colls of and pleated kidskin tabs, Leather flowers are doing thelr smart duty several places, toc—on plain kidskin pumps, either at the side or In front, and trimming leather and fabric purses, helts, hats and the gauntlet cuffs of gloves. Some leather bracelets and clips are trimmed with metal and some are even set with stones while others are content to ornament themselves with knots of leather or bits of bead, glass, or straw, Fashion for Autumn Wear The Iatest cry of the fashion proph- ets Is black stockings; not gun- metal ones or biuish-black ones, but old-fashioned black stockings. It's a wild gamble, betting on black stockings, when one remembers how often and how uselessly the very same fashion prophets have heralded the re turn of curves and long hair. Black stockings have at least one worthwhile virtne, They make plump ankles and fat legs look slimmer. But it must be admitted they have a strong tendency to make skinny legs look like soda straws, Picture Hats The first velvet picture hats have made their appearance at Chantilly, France, Some of them have crowns of sheer tulle or lace. Cool Shoes White buckskin shoes with diamond perforations are chic and cool for sume mer wear. does just that, tirely new bemberg and wool weave in a radiant brown which is enlivened with a delicate interweaving of glossy yellow-and-gold threads, ¥ bembe rg and wool weave the very sort you are looking for. That big news In regard to the en. semble plcetured to the right is its col The checked which It and or. smart woolen green this is scheduled to make a front-stage play. That the wpped with a stunning like its companion in autumn dress which Is matched coat, waist tendency Is not a mere happen stance but rather a natural sequence of events for the shirtwalst idea which prevailed so conspicuously all summer is carrying over into fall with a high and mighty gesture. A brown fabric bag and brown felt slouch hat, go well with this two-tone green check, There is nothing smarter for imme diate wear than a shirtwaist dress of some one or other of the newer light. weight woolens, If the material re- flects the glint and gleam of gold and silver, so much the better, for it Is the metal-shot fabrics which are getting most of the notice for fall and winter. One way of interpreting the metal note is to see to It that your scarf or your neckpliece and other decorative acces sories be fashioned of a metal-touched weave, We would like to tell you In con- clusion that there is & new canton crepe in the market. It works up very happily into practical street costumes. © Westerns Newspaper Union. 2 COLORFUL VELVET By CHERIE NICHOLAS DISTRIBUTION OF BIBLES BEGUN BY GIDEONS IN 1899 Just as the “Gay Nineties” were closing, a small group of “drum- mers,” as they called traveling men in those days, gathered at the Su- perior hotel, Iron Mountain, Mich., to dedicate 225 Bibles and place them in the rooms. That was the start of the work of the Gideons—the Christian Commer cial Men's assoclation—who have placed more than 1,250,000 Bibles in hotels and and jails and other Institutions in the intervening years, The idea started in September, 1897, when John H. Nicholson, of Janesville, Wis., arrived at the little town of Boscovel, Wis, late in the evening and found the hotel erowded. B. H. Hill, of Beloit, Wis, another drummer, offered to share his room with him, Out thelr conversation devel. oped the Idea that a Bible placed on the table of each hotel room might help other men to spend their eve- vings profitably. When they met again the following May at Beaver Dam, they continued thelr discussion and decided to call 8 meeting and present thelr idea to all the traveling men their ac- qQuaintance, The meeting was held July 1, 1800 In the Y. M. C. A. at Janesville, W. J. Knights, who lived there, was the only other drummer at the first con- vention. But they decided to go shead, and elected Hill president, Knights vice president, and Nichol- son secretary-treasurer. During their meeting they read the chapters of Judges, which relate the story of the Israelite and when they came to name their new “The Gldeons” was hospitals of of leader, Gideon, associat fon, In thelr first year the Gideons placed 27,000 Bibles in hotel rooms. The next year they 73,000, The largest order ever placed by the pl 000 Bibles for mm was for 25 * B8CO, } has a mem- United States and 2,56, Membership ited to business men who are tion now is lim professed Christians in ing in some church or religious so- ciety. There also are a number of associate members and a woman's auxiliary —Detroit News. good stand. Expect Messiah's Return Beveral Americans have made ex. tensive preparations for the return of the Prophets and the Messiah, writes Mrs. P. M. Ellis, 8an Diego, Calif, In Collier's Weekly. Out- standing among them is a man In California who has built and deeded a large house to David, and a woman on Long Island who has turned her beautiful mansion into a replica of & Hebrew home so she can appropri- ately welcome the Savior Even her wardrobe contains Palestinian dresses. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers