The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-13

them hounds and me and draw their fire ca himsehl Ain't he just hellI" He stopped an apologetic smile crossed his lips. "I clean forget, pardner; but it's all right. said was ready to go; and ann" His arm slipped from Gideon's neck he slid to the ground; he had fainted.
 A dark, military. y.looking man pushed his way through the crowd-the surgeon, one of the posse. accompanied by younger man fastidionsly dressed. The former bent over the unconscious pris- oner, and tore open his shirt: the latter followed his movements with a flush of anxious inquiry in his handsome, care less face. After moments pause the surgeon, without looking up, answered the young mans mute questioning. Bet ter send the sheriff here at once, Jack"
 He is here," responded the official, joining the group.
 The surgeon looked up at him. am afraid they've put the case out of your jurisdiction. sheriff," he said grimly. It's only a m alter of day or two at best perh aps only of few hours But he won't live to be taken back to jail"
 "Will he live to go as far as Marti- nez? ?" asked the young man addressed as Jack.
 @With care, perhaps"
 "Will you be responsible for him, lack Hamlin2" said the sheriff sud. denly.
 "f will"
 "Then take him. Stay-he's coming to-"
 The wounded man slowly opened his eyes. They fell on Jack Hamin with pleased look of recognition, but almost instantly and anxiously glanced around as if seeking another. Leaning over him, Jack said gayly, They've passed you over to me, old man are you willing2"
 The wounded mans eyes assented, but still moved restlessly from side to side.
 "ls there anyone you want to go with you"
 "Yes," said the eyes.
 "The doctor. of course5"
 The eyes did not answer. Gideon dropped on his knees beside him. A ray of light flashed in the helpless mans eyes and trans6gured his whole face.
 "You want kimf' said Jack incredu- lously.
 "Yes," said the eyes.
 "What-the preacher
 "The lips struggled to speak. Every body bent down to hear his reply.
 You bet" he said taintly.
 CHAPTER ".
 It was early in the morning when the wagon containing the wounded man, Gideon, Jack Hamlin and the surgeon crept slowly through the streets of Marti- neg and stopped before the door of the " Palmetto Shades" The upper floor of this saloon and hostelry was occupied by MT. Hamlin as his private lodgings, and was fitted up with the usual luxury and more than the usual fastidiousness of his extravagant class. As the dusty and trayel-worn party trod the soft carpets and brushed aside the silk hangings in their slow progress with their helpless burden to the lace-canopied and snowy couch of the young gambler, it seemed almost proclamation of some feminine seclusion. Gideon, to whom such luxury was unknown, was profoundly troubled. The voluptuous ease and sensuousness, the re6nements of life of irresponsible indulgence, affected him with physical terror to which in his late moment of real peril he had been a stranger; the gliding and mirrors blinded his eyes 1; even the faint perfume seemed to him an unhallewed incense, and turned him sick and giddy. Accustomed as he had been to disease and misery in its humblest places and meanest surroundings, the wounded desperado lying in faces and fine linen seemed to him monstrous and unnatural. 1t required all his self-abne- gation, all his sense of duty, all his deep pity, and all the instinctive tact which was born of his gentle thoughtfulness for others, to repress shrinking But when the miserable cause of all again opened his eyes and sought Gideon's hand, he forgot it all. Happily, Hamlin, who had been watching him with wondering but critical eyes, mistook his concern. Don't you worry about that gin mill and hash gymnasium down stairs" he said. "I've given the props ietor ST 900 to shut up as long as this thing lasts" That this was done from some delicate sense of respect to the preachers domiciIiary presence, and not entirely to secure complete quiet and seclusion for the invalid, was evi- dent from the fact that Mir. Hamlin's drawing and dining rooms, and even the hall, were filled with eager friends and inquirers. It was discomposing to Cid con to find himself almest an equal sub ject of interest and curiosity to the visi tors. The story of his simple devotion had lost nothing by report; hats were doffed in his presence that might have grown to the wearers' heads the boldest eyes dropped as he passed by; he had only to put his pale face out of the bedroom door and the loudest discussion, heated by drink or affection, fell to whisper. The surgeon, who had recognized the one dominant wish of the hopelessly sinking man, gravely retired, leaving Gideon a few simple instructions and directions for their use. "He'n last as long as he has need of you-" he respectfully. "My art is only second here. God help you both l When he Eakes make the most of xonr