The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-11
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
When within dozen PAGES of the master,
McKinstry. scarcely checking his mustang.
threw himself from the saddle. and, with
sharp cut of his rata on the suimsls launches,
sent him still gaIlopiug toward the distant
house. Then, with both hands deeply thrust
in the side pockets Of bis long loose linen coat.
ne slowly lounged. with cIsnkine spurs. toward
the young man. He was thick-set. of medium
height denseiy and reddishly bearded. with
heavy -lidded. pale blue eyes that wore look c.
drowsy pain and after their first wearied glance
1t the master, seemed TO rest anywhere but on
him.
Your wife was sending you your rife by
Cressy. said the master. 'but offered to bring
ii myself. as thought it scarcely proper err
rand for a young lady. Here it is. hope you
didn't miss II before. and don't require it now.
he added quietly.
Mr.. McKnstry took il in one hand with an air
of slightly EN- oarrassed surprise, rested 1t
against mis- shoulder. and then with the same
hand aad without removing the other from his
pocket, took of mis- soft felt hat, showed bullet
hole in Its rim and returned lszily, Its about
half an hour late. bat them Harrsons reckoned
j was fixed for 'em and war too narvous To draw
clear bead on me.
The moment was evidently DOT felicitious
ono Tor the masters purpose. out ne was de-
termIbed To 60 or. He hesitsted an instant.
when his companion. who seemed TO bs equally
bus more sluegisnly embarrassed, IN a moment
of preoccupied perpiexity withdrew from his
pocket his right band swathed In blood stained
handage. and following some Instructive habit.
attempted. as If rehectively, to scratch HIS head
with two suffered fingers.
''You are hurt" said the master. genuinely
shocked. ''and here am OBTAINING you"
Il had my hand up-so." explained Nc
kinstry. with heavy elaboration. and the ball
rsked of my little finger after 1t went Through
my hat. But that amt what wanted to say
when stopped ye. 1 amt Just kan enough
YET, lie apologlzed in the calmsst manner, and
j clean forgit myself he added with perfect
self-possessIon. But / was kalkilatn to ask
you'-he laid his bandaged hand Familiarity on
the masters shoulder-'.if Greasy ken all
rightr'
Perfectly" said the master. "But shan't
walk on home with you. apd we can talk to-
gethsr after your wound is attended TOT
And she looked rurtyP continued McKiLstry
without moving
Very"
And yOu thought them new store gourds of
hers right peartP
Yes said the master. Perhaps little too
fne for the school: you know he added insinu-
mot for her-not for her." interrupted Nc
Kinstry. II reckon thsr's more whar that cam
FRONT Ys needn't fear but that she kin keep up
that gait ez loag ez Hiram Mckinstry hez the
rurnin' of her"
Dir. Ford eazed hopelessly at the hideous
ranch In the distance, at the sky, and the trail
before him; then his glance fell upon the hand
still upon his shoulder, and he struggled with q
final eferL AT another time I'd like TO have a
long talk with you about your daughter. Mr..
MeKinstry."
Talk on, said McKinstry. putting his wound
hand through the masters arm. II admire TO
hear you: You're tina; kan, it does me good"
Nevertheless the master conscious that
his own arm was scarcely Is firm as his COM
panion's 1t wss however useless to draw back
now, and with a. much tact he could COM
msnd he relieved bis mind Of its purpose. Ad-
dressing the obtrnding bandage before him, be
dwelt upon Cressy's previous attitude in the
school, the danger of any relapse, the necessity
OF her having more clearly defined position as
scholar. and even the ACCESSIBILITY Of her being
transferred to q more advanced school with a
more matured teacher Of her own sex. This is
What wished to say to Mrs. McKinstry to-
day. he concluded, but she referred me to
you-'
I'm course, 10 courss.r said McKinstry, nod
ding complaeently. "She's q good woman In
and around the ranch. and in any doin's o.
this kind" he lightly waved his wounded arm in
the air, There Amt better, tho cay it. She
was Blair Row!ins's dartsr: she and her brothes
Clay bein' the only ones that KEN cut safe
after their twenty years tight With tbs