THE HUBBELL RANCH


"You see, Miss Ruth," Mr. Hammond told the girl of the Red Mill as the
special car rolled out of the railroad yard, "this Dakota Joe has become
a very annoying individual. We had to fairly run away from him."

"I do not understand," Ruth said. "I think he should be shown his
place--and that place I believe is the police station."

"It would be rather difficult to get him into that for any length of
time. And in any case," and the picture producer smiled, it would cost
more than it would be worth. He really has done nothing for which he can
be punished--"

"I don't know. He might have had me killed that time his auto ran me
down," interrupted Ruth, indignantly.

"But the trouble is, we cannot prove that," Mr. Hammond hastened to
repeat. "I will see that you are fully protected from him hereafter."

Mr. Hammond did not realize what a large undertaking that was to be.
But he meant it at the time.

"The man is in trouble--no doubt of it," went on the producer
reflectively. "He has had a bad season, and his winter prospects are not
bright. I gave him an hour of my time yesterday before I advised you
that we would better get away from Chicago."