Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1909 — The Round-Up [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Round-Up

A “Romance of Arizona Novelized From Edmund Day’s Melodrama

By JOHN MURRAY and MILLS MILLER

SYNOPSIS. Chapter I—Returning with gold from the mines to an Arizona ranch to claim Echo Allen, his promised bride, Dick Lane is attacked by Apaches led by Buck McKee, a renegade. After spending six months in a hospital Lane writes to his friend Jack Payson, owner of the Sweetwater ranch, to tell Echo he is coming home. He tells Payson he has $3,000 to pay a mortgage placed by Jack on his ranch to help him. ll—Colonel Jim Allen, owner of the Bar One ranch, is father of Echo and father by adoption of Polly Hope, Dick and Bud Lane. Polly and Bud are sweethearts. In Dick’s Echo falls in love with Jack, realizing that her love for Dick was merely friendship. Dick is believed to be dead, owing to the return of McKee with a lying story. Bud “chums” with McKee despite the warnings of Slim Hoover, the fat and popular sheriff. Echo and Jack become engaged. 111. Echo declares to Jack after the latter suppresses Dick’s letter, fearing to lose her, that she will be true to her promise to Dick if he returns. Bud quarrels with Jack about Echo, the boy championing his absent brother’s cause. IV—Aided by Bud, McKee murders Terrill, the statibn agent, stealing from him $3,000 of county money. McKee suggests to Bud that Dick may still be living. V—The boys gather at the Allen ranch for the wedding of Echo and Jack. VI and VII—-McKee plans to to throw suspicion of Terrill’s murder on Jack, and he and Bud go to the Allens’ for the wedding. Mckee raises a disturbance and is put out. VIII — All ready for the wedding. IX — Dick turns up at the Allens’ just as his rweetheart is married to Jack'! Only Allen and Jack see him. Jack is tempted to shoot his friend, who pays the $3,000 to him and returns to the desert. X—The cowpunchers send for a piano as a surprise for Echo, now married to Jack- XI Jack keeps his business affairs secret from his wife, not daring to tell her where he got the $3,000 to pay the mortgage. Polly flirts with Slim, although she loves bud The boys give the piano to Echo. Buck McKee comeß to Payson’s at the head of his followers, the Lazy K outfit, to accuse Payson of killing Terrill. Xll—Buck accuses Jack, and the young man refuses to clear himself by telling where he got the money. Slim puts McKee and his men off the Payson place. Jack confesses to his wife his deception to her regarding Dick, and she sends him to the desert to find Dick and bring him back to hear from her own lips that she believed him dead when she promised to marry Jack. Forgetting he is under suspicion of killing Terrill, Jack goes. Echo tries to call him back, but is prevented by Bud. Slim, as sheriff, pursues Jack. Chapter XII. Continued. Preceded by some of the Sweetwater boys, the Lazy K outfit filed out, Sagebrush taking their guns as they passed him. Fresno and Parenthesis brought up the rear. “He needn’t think he’ll escape. We’re bound to have him,” declared Buck. “Are you goin’V” demanded Slim, his voice full of menace. “Can't you see me?” sneered Buck, Sagebrush relieved him of his gun as he passed, handing it to Fresno. Buck paused in the doorway long enough to lament: “Talk about hospitality. I never get in hut what I am put out.” Slim watched McKee from the window until be disappeared through the gate of the corral. Then, walking down to Jack, he took him by the hand. “It’ll be all right in an hour. Thank you, boys,” Payson assured them. “We all know you are the whitest man on the Sweetwater,” assured Sagebrush, spenking for the punchers aa they left Jack a prisoner with Slim. Speaking in a low tone. Jim asked Jack. “Where did you get that mouey?” “Don’t you know?” he asked in surprise. “From”— Jack nodded his head. “I’ll wait fer you in the other room,” said Slim. “Maw, Polly—we all better leave 'e n alone.” As the Woman and the girl left the room tiie old ranchman [mused at the doorway leading to the kitchen to advise his son-in-law earnestly: “I ’low you better tell her. It’s best.” The two young people were left alone in the room in which they had passed so many happy hours to face a crisis in their lives. The day which had begun so sunnily wns to end in darkest clouds, The nwful accusation was incredible to Echo. Her faith In her husband was not shaken. Jack, she felt, could explain. But, no matter what the outcome might be, she would be loval to the man she loved. On this point she felt wholly confident. Had ■he not pledged her faith at the marriage altar? "Jack?” A volume of questions was In the word. Taking her hands In his and looking searchlngly Into her eyes, he said: ' ■ • —4_— “Before I tell you what’s been on my mind these many weeks I want to hold you In my arms and hear you say, ‘Jack, I believe in you.’ ” gcho put her arms about his neck

and, nestling close to his clared: “I do believe in you, no mat»ter what circumstances may be against you. No-matter if all the world calls you guilty, I believe in you and love you.” Jack seated himself at the table and drew Ills wife down beside him. Putting his arms about her as she knelt before him, he murmured, “You’re a wife, a wife of the west, as fair us its skies and as steadfast as its hills, and I—l'm not worthy”— “Not worthy—you haven’t—lt isn’t”— gasped Echo, starting back from him, thinking that Jack was about to confess that under some strange stress of circumstances ho had slain the express agent. “No, it isn’t that,” hastily answered Jack, with a shudder at the Idea. “I’ve lied to you.” he simply confessed. “Lied to me—you?” cried Echo in dismay. “I’ve been a living lie for months,” relentlessly continued Jack, nerving himself for the ordeal through which he would have to pass. “Jack,” wailed Echo, shrinking from him on her knees, covering her face with her hands. "It’s about Dick.” Echo started. Again Dick Lane had arisen as from out the grave. “What of him?” she asked, rising to her feet and moving away from him. “He Is alive!” Jack did not dare look at his wife, ne sat with h!s # face white and pinched with anguish. The young wife groaned In her agony. The blow had fallen. Dick alive, and she now the wife of another man! What of her promise? W T hat must he think of her? “I didn’t know it until after we were engaged,” pursued Jack, “six months. It was the day I questioned you about whether you would keep your promise to Dick if he returned. I wanted to tell you then, but the telling meant that I should lose you. ne wrote to me from Mexico, where he had been In the hospital. He was coming home. He inclosed this letter to you.” Jack drew from his pocket the letter which Dick had Inclosed In the one which he had sent Jack telling him of his proposed return. She took the missive mechanically and opened it slowly. “I wanted to be square with him, but I loved you,” pleaded Jack. “I loved you better than life, better than honor. I couldn’t lose you, and so”— His words fell on unheeding ears. She was not listening to his pleadings. Her thoughts dwelt on Dick Lane and what he must think of her. She had taken refuge at the piano, on which she bowed her head within her arms. Slowly she arose, crushing the letter in her hand. In a low, stunned voice she cried, “You lied to me!” Jack burled his face In his hands. “Yes,” he confessed. “He came the night we were married. 1 met him la the garden. He paid that money he hi\d borrowed from me when he went away.” Horror struck, Echo turned to him. “He was there that night?” she gasped. “Oh, Jack! You knew and you

never told me. I had given my word to marry him. You, knowing that, have done this thing to me!” Her deep emotion showed itself in her voice. The more Jack told her the worse became her plight. "I loved you.” Jack was defending himself now, tightiug for his love. “Did Dick believe 1 knew he was living?” continued the girl mercilessly. “He must have done so.” “Jack. Jack!” sobbed Echo, tears streaming down her face. “\V hat could I do? I was almost mad with fear of losing you. I was tempted to kill him then and there. I left your father to guard the door—to keep him out until nfter the ceremony.” Jack could scarcely control his voice. The sight of Echo’s suffering unmanned him. “My father, too!” walled Echo. “He thought only of your happiness,” Jack exclaimed. “What of my promise—my promise to mnrry Dick? Where is he?” moaned the girl. “He’s gone back to the desert. He is gono out of our lives forever,” cried Jack, facing her, with arms outstretched. “And you let him go away in the belief that I knew him to be living?” accused the wife. "What will not a man do to keep the woman he loves? Dick Lane has gone from our lives. He will never return.” argued Jack. “He must!” screamed Echo. “There is a crime charged against you. He must return to prove that your story As to the money— He must know through your own lips the lie that separated us."

“You love him—you love him!" Jack kept repeating the words, aghast at the knowledge that Echo seemed to be forcing unnn him. * •firing Idm back to me/’ Firmly she apoke. Jack gazed at her In fear. Chokingly he cried again, “You love him!” “I don’t know. All I know Is that

he has suffered, is suffering now, through your treachery. Bring luui back to me that I may stand face to face with him and say: ‘I have not lied to you. I have not betrayed your trust.’ ” “You love him,” he repeated. “Find bring him back.” Jack was help less, speechless. Echo’s attitude overpo w e r e d him. The wife staggered again to the piano, slowly sinking to the seat. She had turned her back on him. This action hurt him

more than any word she had spoken. Her face was burled in her hands. Deep, sobs shook her shoulders. Jack followed her to take her again in his arms, but she made no sign of forgiveness. Turning, he strode to the rack .and took down his hat and cartridge belt. Picking up bis rifle, he firmly declared: “I will go. I’ll search the tfialns, the mountains and the deserts to find tliis man. I will offer my life if It will serve to place the life you love beside you. Goodby.” The sound of the closing of the door roused Echo to a full realization of what she had done. She had driven the one man iihe really loved out of her life, sent him forth to wander over thelfhCe of the earth in search of Dick Lane, for whom she no longer cared. She must bring her husband back. She must tell him that he alone had her heart in his keeping. “No, no, Jack! Come back!” she called. “I love you and you alone! Come back! Come back!” Before she could throw open the door and summon him back to happiness and trust Bud, who had heard the full confession from the room In which he had taken refuge when he thought Buck would throw the blame on Jack, caught her by the arm. “Stop!” he commanded. “Bud Lane!” exclaimed Echo. “You have heard”— “I’ve heard—my brother—he Is alive!” Bud spoke rapidly. His belief was confirmed. He would have full revenge for what his brother had suffered at Payson’s hands. To Echo’s plea of “Don’t stop me!” he shouted “No!” and caught the young wife and pulled her back from the doorway. Echo struggled to free herself, but the young man was too strong. “He had ruined Dick’s life, stolen from him the woman he loved!” he hissed in her ear. “Jack! Jack!” was her only answer. “No; he shan’t come back! Let him go as he let my brother go—out of your life forever!” “I can’t, I can’t! I love him!” Throwing Bud off, she ran to the door. Bud pulled his revolver and cried, “If he enters that door I’ll kill him!” Outside Echo heard Jack inquiring, "Echo, Echo, yoii called me?” Echo laid her hand on the knob to open the door when she heard the click of the pistol's hammer as Bud raised it. With a prayer iu her eyes she looked at the young man- He was obdurate. Nothing could move him. Turning, she shrieked: “No; I did not call! Go! In God’s uame, go!” “Goodby,” was Jack's farewell. The

rapid bent of horse’s hoofs told of bis mounting nud ridiug away. “Gone! Oh, Rud, Bud, what have you done?’’ “I should have killed 'him.” was Bud’s answer as he gazed after the retreating form galloping down the trail. Mrs. Allen, hearing Echo’s calls, hastened In from the kitchen. She found her daughter sobling At Jhe table.

“What is the matter, child?” Then, turning to Bud, she fiercely demanded of him, “What have you been sayln’ to her?” * “Nothin’,” he replied - ag"he left the house. “Oh, mother, mother!” wailed Echo. “Jack—l have sent him away.” “Sent him .away?” repeatefT' the startled Mrs. Allen. “Yes,” assured Echo. “You don’t mean to say he is guilty —you don't mean”— “No, no!” interrupted Echo. “Oh, I never thought of that! He must come back. Call dad, call Slim.” Echo had forgotten Jack's promise to Slim. lie, too, in his period of stress had overlooked the fact that he Was a suspected murderer. Now he had fled. He must be brought back to clear his good name. Mrs. Allen called her husband and the sheriff into the room. “What’s the row?” shouted the sheriff. “Jack’s gone!” cried Mrs. Allen. In amazement the two men could only repeat the news “Gone!” “Gone where?” crisply demanded the sheriff. “Don’t stand there starin’; do somethin’,” scolded Mrs. Allen. “He gave me his word to stay an’ face this thing out,” shouted the bewildered Slim. “It’s all my fault. I sent him away.” Echo seized Slim’s hand as she spoke. “You sent him away?” She fell on her knees before him. Lifting her hands as in prayer, she Implored: “I never thought of his promise to you. He never thought of it. Go find him—bring him back to me!” “Bring him back?” howled the excited sheriff, his eyes bulging, his

cheeks swelling, his red hair bristling and his voice ringing in its highest key. “Bring him back? You just bet I will. That’s why I’m sheriff of Pinal county.” Slim whirled out of the door as if propelled by a gigantic blast. Echo fell fainting at her mother’s feet. (To he Continued)

“Whar did you get that money?"

Deep sobs shook her shoulders.

“He is alive!" '

“Bring him back?"