The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-07-05

Her presence SO far from home, SO
near Baxter. made Hines suspect the
truth at once. His face darlSened say
agely and fixing her with his hawkish
eyes, while an ugly imprecation fell
from his lips. be sought TO block her
passage,
The road had been washed deep by
hard rains. with high, steep banks on
either side. so Nancy had no choice but
to draw her pony aside to let the men
pass Bat instead of going on. Hines
and his companion halted directly before
her, and with leer in his face the
leader said:
"Wher yer been so airly, gal2
""rendin ter nay own business. Dick
HinesF' she replied with spirit
"Wot's tibet paper yer got in yer handy'
Hines demanded, catching sight of the
folded receipt which she held as too pre-
cious to let out of her sight.
''Thets my fathers. Let me pass
Not SO fast, gall Yer been ter Baxter
ter the land agent, an tibet paper hes
somethin' ter say erbont wot yer been
dom thar. I'm goin' ter see tibet paper, =
he asserted with loud oath.
No, yer not" tho girl cried, trying to
force her pony past the villain. But he
grasped her bride rein and restrained
her.
Finley, yer kin take the paper frum
her while | hold Their pony" said Hines.
with malignant exultation beaming IN
every feature of his countenance
Finley rode toward the girls side to do
his leaders bidding, but instantly she
transferred the receipt to her mouth and
shut her teeth tight together.
Choke Their durned hussyf' roared
Hines, and again Finley approached her
an evil glitter in his green eyes.
At that moment there was the hurried
CHATTER Of hoofs over the stony road lead
ing toward the little ford where Nancy
Hamlet had been stopped by the two
scoundrels. and clear voice that sent
the red blood flowing back into the girls
fear blanehed cheeks rang out sharply
on the pure morning air:
Lay one finger on that girl at yer
peril" and Tom Byers, with flashing
eyes, covered the villains with his six
shooter.
With muttered curses the bafied
wretches fell back in surprise and con-
fusion.
Now ride, whelpsi" he ordered, fol-
lowing them with the weapon. can
keep on ridin till yer git clar out O
Gods country. Don't let me ketch yer
back on Deer creek CT Their Neosho
river pollutin' ther air with yer rotten
deviImint, or III shoot yer down like
two ornery dogs"
They knew there was no TESTING in
that tune, and they rode of. with rage
in their dark hearts, but daring not to
utter word, in the direction Of the In
dian Territory border.
'0h. TomT cried Nancy. recovering
her speech as the defeated villains dis
appeared beyond a hill. "how did yer
ever happen erlong jest when yer didy
II come up from Their Injun nation
last night" he answered, riding up to
her side Il was on my way back ter
ther ranch. but decided ter stay all night
in Baxter. | was at ther very hotel
where Their land agent stays Yer was
jest ridin' out O town as got up. I'm
well acquainted with Their agent, an he
told me how yer'd happened ter be in
Baxter When he told me what yer'd
overheard Hines an Finley plannin' ter
do was afeard yerd meet Their whelps
an hey trouble So ordered my horse
and rid right after yer.
q don't know what I'd done eff yer
hedn't rid up" said the girl, trying to
meet the admiring eyes of Tom Byers
Mamie, yer mighty brave girl, he
said, trying to possess himself Of her
hand. "but yer need some big. honest
Teller who thinks a heap of yer ter take
keer of yer was thinkin' O. sellin' out
my ranch an goin' back ter mother, but
if could only persuade yer to bide long
with me thar on Their Neosho I'd be plumb
contented ter live allus out hyer on Their
Neutral Lands"
"Oh, Tom~ she said. quickly with
drawing her hand, ''pap's ailin con-
sid'ble, an must git back ter him.
'I'll ride back with yer. Mamie" Tom
declared, and they left the ford at once.
1t was very pleasant and satisfactory
ride to Tom Byers, judging from the
glad light that shone in his blue eyes as
the young couple rode up to the dugout
and were greeted by Adam Hamlet.
Tom, I'm mighty glad ter hev yer
bring my leetle gal safe home Is all
wellr'
"AlPs WE'LL" answered Tom, warmly
shaking the settlers hand. .Ther claim 8
yer'n, an Nannie's miner
The land question was finally decided
in the courts. and new settlers began to
flock into the country. The league ex-
element subsidized, and many Of its
warmest adhereuts contracted with Joy
for their lands.
Tom Byers' threats evidently had the
desired effect on Dick Hines, for soon
after the encounter at the ford he and
his gang left the country for parts UNI
known Their places were taken by
honest settlers. Consequently no regrets
followed them, except that some of them
had escaped their Just deserts at the
hands of the law
Adam Hamlet secured legal title to
his claim. aud in due time developed
valuable coal mines along the creek
Tom and Nancy have comfortable
home near the Neosho river and are as