Page 16 (1/2)

"Bill," called Kells to the rin on his

coarse red face, "you go back and help Halloway pack Then takeahen Kells called after hi to Roberts He's easily riled"

"Ha!" laughed Bill

His harsh laughter soly in Joan's ears But she

was used to violent men who expressed mirth over mirthless jokes

"Get up, Miss Randle," said Kells as he th So I advise you to coet away It won't be any use trying"

Joan climbed into her saddle and rode after hi a hand to hi saddled, and she saw Bill struggling under a pack,

but there was no sign of Roberts Then more cedars intervened and

the calanced ahead her first

thought was to take in the points of Kells's horse She had been

used to horses all her life Kells rode a big rangy bay--a horse

that appeared to snort speed and endurance Her pony could never run

away fro brute Still Joan had the temper to make an

atte was rosy, clear, cool; there was a sweet, dry tang in

the air; white-tailed deer bounded out of the open spaces; and the

gray-doed

slopes, overshadowed the close foot-hills

Joan was a victi

eent, to be

held for ransom The fact was scarcely credible She could not shake

the dread of nameless peril She tried not to recall Roberts's

words, yet they haunted her If she had not been so handsoood looks, but they had never caused

her any particular concern That Kells had let that influence hiined--was old such men wanted She wondered what her

ransoet it, and if there really

was a likelihood of that rich strike Then she reirl, and a strange,