, 1890-12-25

Ths singing went on IN cOolinB,
soft way that did not bring you tho
wordS-only the music.
''WVat l says about my saddle a
while back / MEANS" said Moore,
finally, turning dark looks on Wat
kins.
"See yerep' said Watkins In an
exasperated tone-he was as vicious
as Moore-"if you're p'intin' out for
n war Jig with me, don't fool round
mono for reasons, but Jest let 'er roll.
Come a runnin'. an don't bot her
none with ceremony"
IA man don't have to have no
reasons for crawlin' you none," said
Moore. "You're fair game, you are.
Anyone's licensed to chase you
round jest for fun an exercise"
"You can gamble" said Watkins,
confidently, 'any man as chuscs me
thrillin' pastime. He won't get fat
ut II, none whatever"
"As you all seem to feel that
way" said Moore, "I'll step out an
shoot with you right now."
"Well! Pll shore go you" said
Watkins.
They arose and stepped out at the
door. 1t was gathering dark, but 1t
was light enough to shoot by,
The other cowboys followed In
silence. Not one said n word In
comment or interference. They
were grave and serious, but passive.
Ii Is not good form to interfere with
other peoples duels In the south
west. The pretty girl was still sing
ing, and the strains fell softly on
the ears of the cowboys. Everyone,
whether onlooker or principal, felt
inspired with licking, pleased
anticipation of the blood soon to be
set flowing. Nothing was said
of distances. They separated 10
about forty PAGES and turned to face
each other. Each wore his "Colts
49," the loosely-buckled belt letting
1t rest low down on the right hip.
Each threw down his big hat anu
stood at apparent ease, with his
thumbs caught In the pistol belt.
"ShaIl you give the word, orIne?'
said Moore
"You give it," said Watkins.
"Itll be funny passage in Amer
lean history Ii you get your artillery
to the front any sooner than do,
them"
"Be you ready?" asked Jack.
"ShUre."
"Then-goW
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bangp went
both pistols together, and with n
rapidity not to be counted. Moore
got u crease In his left shoulder-a
60 "nf
kins fell with bullet in his side.
Rawlins, the range boss, came run
ming out. He understood all at n
look. Hastily examining Moore
he discovered that his hurt was
nothing serious. The Others carried
Watkins into the house.
"Take my pony, saddled at the
fence, jack" said Rawlins," and
pull your freight. This yere mans
goin' to die.n
(which / sincerely hope he does"
said Jack, bitterly. "I'li GO though; /;
/ amt got no use for none of these
yere he-shorthorns around the HIT"
So he took Rawlins' pony, and
when he stopped riding in the
IL was no marvel that the
poor pony hung his head dejectedly,
while his flanks steamed and quiv-
cred. He was almost 100 miles from
his last corn, and cooled his nervous
as he took his morning drink
in the Rio Pecos, II stream far to the
west of the HT.
"Some shooting scrape about their
saddles, miss; that's ALL" So re-
ported Rawlins to the pretty girl.
isn't it horriblep' shuddered the
pretty girl in reply.
The next morning the pretty girl
and her gnarled and twisted aunt
puid the injured Watkins visit.
This sight so affected the other three
that they mt once saddled
and rode away to the northwest to
work some cattle on the Ocate mesa.
They Intended to be gone three
months. They looked black and
as they galloped away.
ats pity Jack Moore amt no
better pistol shot," said one, as the
picture of the pretty girl visiting the
wounded Watkins arose in his mind.
"That's whatever" assented the
Others.
The pretty girl was full of SYM
pathy for the stricken Watkins. 1t
to- her, too, that his profile
was clear and handsome. He was
veny pale and this stirred
the depths of her feminine nature.
She aud her aunt came to sec the
invalid every day. Once, the pretty
girl said she would bring him a book
to read and while away the hours,
which seemed shod with lead.
81 can't read. said Watkins in q
tone of deepest shame. al never
learned. should like to read, too,
but there's no one to teach me. So
that settles that" and the rascal eX-
pressed a deep sigh.
Watkins lied. 1t was he who was
the Princeton man. He said after
ward that this lie was the only real
good work he ever did In his life.
So the pretty girl came every day
and gave Watkins n reading lesson,
while the gnarled aunt read a book
and watched them through the
open door.
"By the way" said Watkins one
day, "where's Moore?"
"Why?" asked the range boss, to
whom the question was put.
"You tell him." said Watkins, his
eyes beginning to gather rage, "that
when i get out I'll be lookin' for
him with something besides field
glass;
"Oh, noW said the pretty girl,
rising and coming toward his couch,
Her tone showed disturbance and
fear at the thought.