Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-07-12
..Mebbe will. and nsbbe i WON'T !,

''Mebbe will. and mebbe / won't"
Grip put his hand to his hip pocket AM
| tapped the butt of a revolver If You tel
the company stole the slycerine, I'll put
hole in you" Grip had ceased laughing
and assumed threatening air.
Leona ran down the steps. what ar
you two fghtin' a5out." she asked.
There was no reply.
what is it. Hiram Todd!" She turne;
fercely on him
Grips got to quit moonlightin'," he an
swered.
Il guess he'll do as he pleases about that,
| she said, sharply.
We'll, all I've got to say is that rv,
warned Grip"
At this LeOna's eyes flashed, and sh'
shook her fst in Jockey TodTs face
II you tell on Grip. hope he will kill you
Now you can go your way and I'll go mine
You're coward 10 come here and threaten
my kim
We'll, you've got my word for it. Grip
ouit now. when you've got a chance. Re
member the glycer'n'"
Remember this, Jockey Todd" Grip re
pl;d, andlaid the revolver across his arm.
Il will. AMI get one for myself"
Jockey Todd turned his back on the brother
and sister, and started toward Hartford.
''She never was as pretty as when she
was shahin' her fist at me. I think she
could make life interestin', but | have to
give her up
Thus unused Jockey Todd as he went his
way in obedience TO her command.
The brother and sister-she in no amiable
mood toward hin-went into their house,
and soon sat down 10 supper There were
plates for two. and for some reason, when
she was washing them after the meal,
Leona's eyes became moist.
The next morning Jockey Todd went to
the cOmpanys Office and resigned his posi-
ton. giving as reason for leaving their
employment that he was afraid the glycerine
would soOn number him among its victims
If he did not stop handling it. A few days
afterward he got work as a pumper on a
lease on the hill just above Leona's home.
He could sit in the engine-house door and
see her moving about in the yard.
One dag Grip came home with the news
that Jockey Todd had quit shooting wells
and gone to pumping them. Leona stared
at Grip moment, and when he smiled said:
You needn't think he give up his job be-
cause he was afraid of you. He couldn't
stay with the company and not tell on you"
''Oh. he was afraid, though" said Grip,
with an air of bravado.
'Some of these nights you'll find out that
Hiram Todd don't fear any thing. Mind
what l say, Grip"
Grip only laughed.
When Jockey Todd took up his abode in
the engine-house on the Krohm lease, he
was surprised that the silence of the woods
after night was agreeable to him. He
found comfort in the quiet that was broken
only by the stroke of the pumping-engine
and the rattle of the rods. These sounds
were so regular in repetition that he grew
to consider them a part of the stiffness.
The flaming gas jet threw at the within of
the wind changeful shadows across the
cleared space in which the derrick stood.
The trees nearest him in the encircling
woods were distinctly brought out by the
Pickering light, and when it bent before
the breeze, it gave him glimpses of grim
trunks that were in the darkness when the
flame stood still, but beyond was the dense
night of the deep forest He got into the
habit of watching this change of light and
shadow, and Of gazing at the impenetrable
darkness.
"Leona acted accordin' to her light but
she couldn't see any further into my heart
than l can into the woods. May be can
show it to her some time as plain as day."
Thus he unused upon Leona, and waited
for the time to come when she would fully
understand him.
LeOna began to regret her hasty action,
as day after day went by and no harm came
TO Grip. He was still free and light |
hearted, while her spirits dropped, and she |
went about her work in a listless, preoc-
cupied manner. Often in the evening she |
she stood in the door and looked up at the |
gas jet. In the distance it was only point |
IF light, but she knew that under it Jockey |
Todd was sitting, and between him and her |
inc night interviewed. At last the sense of |
he injustice she had done him was so heavy |
Upon her that she resolved to right it, One |
evening, just after the night fell, she threw |
/ light shawl over her head and started I'D |
he hill. She knew the way, and did not |
iced the guidance of the gas jet that sud
lenly went out
Jockey Todd was leaning back in his
hair in the engine-house, and wishing he
,ould see Leona. His eyes were closed, and
when, after few minutes, he opened them,
he derrick and the cleared place were
lighted only by the rays of a moon not yet
n the third quarter. Surprising the strong
Wind had blown the light out, he got up to
eight the gas. When he stepped to the
oor he saw man going to the derrick. He
'ecame cautious at once, and remained in
he engine-h house. The intruder walked all
round the derrick, and Jockey Todd,
his actions, concluded he was a
He knew the well was to be !
hot that night, but for the moment had
Orgotten il. He had been away in the
arly evening, and had not learned where
he glvcerine had been concealed.
The moonlighter examined each part of
ne derrick in turn, and did not seem to dis
over the marks left by the glycerine man
Tho had hidden the explosive. At last the
loonlighter struck a match. By its light
ockey Todd recognized Grip Jervis. More
yer, he saw that Grip was drunk
Soon Grip found what he was searching
,r, and turning his back 10 the derrick, be-
N to pace of a distance, counting aloud,
One, two (hicl, three" Then jockey
odd ran out of the engine house toward
i'm. Grip stopped and faced about He |
as so intoxicated that he could not stand I
'ect. "Who's that"
''Me-Jocl1ey Todd"
stand where (hic) you are" Grip felt
IT his pistol, but in a secoud Jockey Todd
as on him and held his hand in a firm
ASP. There was sharp struggle of a |
oment and Grip staggered back unarmed
Jockey Todd put the pistol in his pocket
Now. Grip. listen to reason you are too &
Junk to shoot this well Youosit down and S
Il do it." 6
Il amt drunk, shoot this well myself /,
ind that You never was nothin' but a !.
anyhow"
II tell you If you pick up can of glycer-
e tonight you'll drop it, and that'n be the /
ID of you IL
STAND out of nv road"