The Red Cloud chief., 1888-07-13

II you and Grip eat together. You might
need your good clothes to be buried in"
Lcona had a high temper, M when it wa
| aroused her tongue wa reckless.
Jockey Todd did not reply nor lool
around. Leoua returned to the house,
| called herself a fool for running INTO tho
mud to meet Jockey Todd. and resolved II
inform Grip that he could expect q visitor
for supper. But the day passed and Grip
did not come home. She began to be un
easy about him, fearing he and Jockey
| Todd had met. She had not begun to gel
supper when she saw Jockey Todd coming
up the road. She was 50 angry at him that
she did not laugh when she noticed that be
wore his Sunday suit. Something serious
wa impending, and she wished she could
warn Grip; but it was too late, for there he
was talking to Jockey Todd at the gate. She
had not seen her brother approach the
house.
Grip was laughing, but Jockey Todd'a
face was dark.
you had no business to play me that
trick. Grip"
1.-THE company can stand it." said Grip.
He was reckoning on Jockey Todd's love
for LeOna.
Leons went to the open door. and could
hear all that was said.
but if report it the com pany won't
stand it."
but you won't report it," said Grip, still
laughing.
..Mebbe I will. and mebbc l won't"
Grip put his hand to his hip rocket and
tapped the butt Of . revolver. "If you tell
the company I stole the glycerine, I'll put a
hole in you" Grip had ceased laughing,
and assumed a threatening air.
Leona ran down the steps. "What are
you two fghtin' abOut!" she asked.
There was no reply.
What Is it. Hiram Toddw She turned
fiercely OF him.
Grips got to quit moonlightin'," he an.
swered.
Il guess he'll do as he pleases about that, -
she said, sharply.
well, all I've got to say is that I've
warned Grip"
At this Leona's eyes flashed. and she
shook her list in Jockey Todd's face.
If you tell on Grip. l hope he will kill you.
Now you can go your way and I'll 60 mine.
You're o coward to rome here and threaten
my kin"
'Well. you've got my word for it. Grip.
Quit now. when you've got . chance. Re-
member the giycer'n'."
Remember t.lis, Jockey Todd" Grip re-
plid. and Laid the revolver across his arm.
Il will. and get one for myself"
Jockey Todd turned his back on the brother
and sister, and started toward Hartford.
.'She never was As pretty y when she
WA shakin' her fist at me. I think she
could make life interestin', but I 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 him-went into their house,
and soon sat down to supper. There were
plates for two. and for some reason, when
she was washing them after the meal,
LeOna's eyes became moist.
The lei morning Jockey Todd went to
the cOmpany's Office and resigned his posi-
ton. giving as q 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 . pumper on q
lease on the hill just above Le0na's home.
He could sit in the engine-house do. and
see her moving about in the yard.
One day Grip came home with the news
that Jockey Todd had quit shooting wells
and gone to pumping them. Leona stared
at Grip q 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 N you"
.1Oh! 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 I say, Grip"
Grip only laughed.
When Jockey Todd took up his abode in
the en2ine-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 ut 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 III by the
Pickering light, and when it bent before
the breeze, 1t gave him glimpses Of grim
trunks that were in the darkness when the
fame 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 a~ccordin' to her light. but
she couldn't see any further into my heart
than I can into the woods. May be I 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,
IS 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 . 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
Of light, but she knew that under it Jockey