The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-03-11

won't be the larst, reckon, thet's goI
his hide bored long O. her."
"What's up, them
"Keep your eye skinned and don't &c
nigh old Ramon's shack. I've warned
you. So long, pard."
And Black Waxy lounged away into
the gathering gloom and mist.
''Hold on" cried Herries, rushing after
him. "tell me at least who my enemy
! is"
Black Waxy turned and scanned the
young engineer closely in the twilight.
"Pete-from DenverP' he jerked out
and strobe rapidly off.
Herries was u brave man, but his blood
chilled at the mention of that name. 1t
was the synonym of all that was most
fierce, bloodthirsty and wicked even in
that wicked and bloodthirsty little com
munity.
Denver Peter he unused. $50 he is
going to do me up because I'm trying to
win that poor child from her horrible
life and save her for something better.
fear me, Edward, you're in no end of a
bad scrape."
But the blood which had rushed so
holly through his veins when Yale's
shouts rang triumphant over the foot
ball field as the goal was almost won,
and which nerved him to dare any odds,
take any risk, so long as he could save
that game, now flowed again warmly
through his heart.
''I'll not be bullied," he said, and he
frowned and shut close his mouth and
clinched his hands. These were ominous
signs in Mr.. Herries, and even Denver
Pete, redoubtable knight of the green
cloth as he was, would have done well
to have needed them; had he known
young Herries better he might have
done so.
For Herries had stalked back to the
brilliantly lighted barroom and had
called for a glass of whisky, the while he
regarded knot of men near by who were
conversing in low tone. Among these
men was the gambler against whom
Herries had been warped-a handsome,
pale faced, tall, slender man, dressed
with great neatness in black and with
out single ornament visable-not even
the belt which nearly every man wore.
He had small, keen, hungry looking,
gray eye, and as he looked at Herries he
met the latter's gloomy glance, smiled
and turned to his friends with the re-
mark:
1.-THE kid seems worried about some
thing. wonder if by any chance he
has overheard us?"
"Guess not-he jest come in minute
ago."
neutrality-suspicious." muttered Pete,
"but we will soon know"
Events moved quickly in frontier
towns, AS Herries finished his whisky
and banged the door behind him, Pete
arose from his seat.
His friends also sprang up, but he
made IL gesture of dissent.
mo, boys. Leave this to me. If II
can't deal with one teuderfoot certain
ly won't call in aid"
"But he might get the drap on ye,"
persisted one.
Pete shrugged his, shoulders and
deigned no reply He walked to the bar,
called for and swallowed large glassful
of brandy, which draft did not even
bring a flush to his pale cheek, opened
the door and was lost in the darkness O.
the night.
About two hours later the inmates Of
the Rough Diamond We're startled by
hearing shots, cries, oaths, the heavy
Of a horses hoofs on the
rocky soil of the mesa, and then a long, +;
loud "hurra-a-h."
Then all was silent.
As one man they sprang to their feet |
and rushed for the door, but ere the fore |
most man among them could reach it ii
was burst violently open and old Ramon
rushed in, followed by Pete, from Den.
yer, who, swaying and staggering like
a drunken man, called for brandy, and |
then came to the floor with crash that
shook the windows.
A babel of voices prevented an expla-
nation for a long time, and when Peter
had somewhat revived he told them what
had happened.
where's Chiauita" some one asked.
A spasm of wrath convulsed the fea
lures Of the dying man.
"Gone," he gasped; "gone with that
cursed tenderfoot.
"How did it all happen, Peter"
HE was there when | got there.
was all dressed and ready to &c
off with him-womanlike, curse herl
He saw me coming. His horse was
there He waited for me. Oh, the fel.
ow was game enough. | said nothing,
put opened on him. The girl being
here must have made me nervous, for
missed my man for the first time
''And them"
why. he pumped Inc full of lead be
ore could pull trigger. Hit me five
lines. Then he mounted and swung the
yirl up in front of him. Old Ramon
;ame up and opened on him. l got W
md followed suit. He got back at us
,nce-his last cartridge-and caught
Ramon, for l heard him groan. Then
he tenderfoot yelled and rode off. Boys,
rive me a big drink. I'm done for"
And when they brought the drink
asst chilling corpse was all that was left
f Pete from Denver to drink it.
And Chiquita!
Chiuuita went 10 "A convent in st |