The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-06

al cASICRS6.
You can gamble, said Watkins con.
idently, ANY man as chases me round
much viii regard it as thrillil' pastime.
He won't get fat az it-2one whatever"
''As you ali seem 20 feel that away
said Moore, I'll step out and shoot with
you right now"
well, I'll shore go You, said Wat
1ins.
They arose and STEPPED out at the door.
1t was gathering DARK. bit it was light
enough 10 shoot By.
The other cow0pvs followed in silence.
Not one said word IN comment or in
reference. They were grave and seri-
ous, but passive. Il IS rot good form TO
interfere with other peoples duels in the
southwest. The patty girl was still
singing. and the strains fell softly on the
ears of the cowboys. Livery one. whether
onlooker or principal, fei5 inspired with
a lurking, pleased anticipation Of the
blood TO be soon set flowing Nothing
was said of distance. They separated TO
about forty PAGES and turned TO face
each other. Each wore his Colts -. -
the loosely buckled belt letting it rest
low down on the right LIP. Zach threw
down his big hat and stood az apparent
ease, with his thumbs caught in the PTS
tol belt.
Shall you give the word. or me-" said
Moore.
You give IT =" said Watkins. It'll be
a funny passage in American history if
you get your artillery to the front any
sooner than l do. then
BE you ready" asked Jack.
"Shore."
"Then-gon
Bang. Bang! Bang! Bang" went
both pistols together. and with rapid
ity not to be counted. Moore got a
crease in his left shoulder mere
wound TO the flesh-and Watkins fell
with a bullet in his side. Rawlins. the
range boss, came running out. He I'M
derstood all at look. Hastily examin-
ing 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 Rawhns. and pull your
freight. This yere mans goin' to die"
(which shorely hopes he does said
Jack, bitterly. III go, though; l 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 morning it was
no marvel that the poor pony hung his
head dejectedly, while his fanbs steamed
and quivered. He was almost 100 miles
from his last corn, and cooled his nerv-
Gus muzzle as he took his morning drink
in the Rio Pecos, a stream far to the
west of the lit.
Some shooting scrape about their
saddles, miss; that's ALL" SO reported
to the pretty girl.
Isn't it horrible" shuddered the
pretty girl. in reply.
The next morning the pretty girl and
her gnarled and twisted aunt paid the in
jured Watkins visit. This sight so af-
fected the other three cowboys that they
at once saddlcd 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.
"It's pity Jack Moore amt no better
pistol shot, said one, as the picture of
the pretty girl visiting the wounded Wat
kinS arose in his mind
That's whatever. assented the others.
The pretty girl was rull Of sympathy
for the stricken Watkins. It occurred
to her, too, that his profile was clear and
handsome. He was certainly very pale,
and this stirred the depths of her femi-
nine nature. She and her aurt came TO
see 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.
Il can't read. said Watkins, in tone
of deepest shame. Il never learned. |
should like to read. too. but there's no
one 10 teach me 50 that settles that
and the rascal expressed q deep sigh.
Watkins lied It was he VINO was the
Princeton man. He said afterward 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 a reading lesson, while
the gnarled aunt read a book and watch
I'd 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
to gather rage, "that when l
get ont IN be lookin for him with
something besides a field glass
"Oh. no. said the pretty girl, rising
and coming toward his couch. Her
one showed disturbance and fear az the
thought
As be gazed at her the look changed
n his eyes. Hate for Moore gave place
% something else.
NO, he said at last. Tell him it's
III right. Rawlins.
The pretty girl thought him very
noble.
Watkins was ont IN Ave weeks and
,ould 20 about the ranch. one night
2awlIns thought he heard "A pony in the
-ari and arose 20 remedy the matter.
As be steprei ou- couple passed HIM
n the moor light L was Watkins and
ne pretty g.rL The csi-iTs arm was
-ound her.-Dsn Gum u Kansas City
Times