"Oh, George," she wailed, "they have sentenced him?"
"Two years in prison."
"But he was innocent!"
"Yes, and some day it will be proven." He looked at her strangely, "I
must tell you - Dick has broken jail and fled north to Shasta county,
where he will begin life anew. Then, if you still wish it, he will come
to you."
* * * * *
After four years the Singer-Lady returned for a concert at the little
Opera House in Rattlesnake. She went to her old quarters at the Widow
Miller's, on the edge of town.
"Eh, Dearie," cried the good woman, "what have they been doing to ye, so
to dim your bright youth, and to bring the sad lines to your mouth?"
"Mrs. Miller, where is he?"
"Ah - so that's the answer." The girl's eyes filled with tears.
"Four years - and for the last two, no word. I must find George Taylor.
Perhaps he - "
"Dearie, George Taylor is with Dick, and the Skinners and Cherokee Bob
and Lame Jim Driscoll. They say, too, that at times Dick rides with Tom
Bell's gang."
"Ah, he tried with all a strong man's power to win a new name for
himself - and for you - but Fate was too strong.
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