Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1892-12-21

e1ther Slue, so Nancy lau no cuOlce Otit
to draw her pony aside to let the men
pass. But instead of going on, Hines
and bis companion halted directly before
her, and with leer in his face the
leader said:
"Wher yer been 80 airly, gal!'
"Tendiu' ter my own business, Dick
Hinesr' she replied with spirit.
"Wot's thet paper yergot in yer handT
Hines demanded, catching sight Of the
folded receipt which she held as too pre-
cious to let out of her sight.
"Thet's my fathers. Let me pass"
mot so fast, gal! Yer been ter Baxter
ter the land agent; an thet paper hes
somethin' ter say erbout wot yer been
doin' thar. I'm goir' ter see thet paper
he asserted with q loud OATH
"No. yer not" the 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 ther pony" said Hines
with malignant e1ultation 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 ther burned hussyr roared
Hines, and again Finley approached her
an evil glitter in his green eyes.
kkok
clatter 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 blanched cheeks rang out sharply
on the pure morning air:
Lay one finger on that girl at yer
perilI' and Tom Byers, with flashing
ayes, covered the villains with his six
shooter.
With muttered curses the baf1ed
wretches fell back in surprise and con-
fusion.
"Now ride, whelps!'' he ordered, fol-
lowing them with the weapon. "An
keep on ridin' till yer git cl'ar out o
Gods country. Don't let Inc ketch yer
back on Deer creek CT ther Neosho
river pollutin' ther air with yer rotten
devilmint, or I'll shoot yer down like
two ornerY dogs"
They knew there was no jesting IN
that tone, and they rode off, with rage
in their dark hearts, but daring not to
utter word, in the direction Of the In
dian Territory border.
"Oh, Toni" cried Nancy, recovering
her speech as the defeated villains dis
appeared beyond hill, 'how did yer
ever happen erlong jest when yer didT'
Il come up from ther 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 ther land agent stays. Yer was
Jest ridin' out O town as got up. I'm
well acquainted with ther 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 yer'd meet ther whelps
an hev trouble. So l ordered my horse
and rid right after yer.
IL don't know what I'd done eft 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 l could only persuade yer to bide long
with me thar on ther Neosho I'd be plumb
contented ter live allus out hyer on ther
Neutral Lands.
"Oh, Tomp she said, quickly with
drawing her hand, "pap's ailin' con-
sid'ble, an must git back ter him."
"Tll ride back with yer, Mamie" Tom
declared, and they left the ford at once.
It 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 hey yer
bring my leetle gal safe home. Is all
wellY"
"All's WE'LL" answered Tom, warmly
shaking the settlers hand. "Ther claims
yern, an Nannie's minep
The land question was finally decided
in the courts, and new settlers began to
flock into the country. The league ex-
citement subsided, and many Of its
warmest adherents 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 un-
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, and in due time developed
valuable coal mines along the creek.
Tom and Nancy have a. comfortable
home near the Neosho river, and are as
happy as we'll mated couple can be
who possess one hundred and sixty acres
of rich land under good cultivation and
clear of all incumbrance.
THE END.