Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-05-27


Eleven shots fred and Dorkin had the
twelfth.
Monte couldn't slip in another cart
ridge very easily because his left hand
was no good, and so he sat there and
waited for that last shot.
Dorkin didn't seem to be in any hurry
to fire it. He had it all hi, own way
now. He reeled and bowed a minute
and then he steadied up and walked his
horse toward Monte with grin that,
spread all over his big face. 1t wasn't
the kind of grin that makes man sleep
we'll after he has seen it-a ghastly,
nasty grin.
1 wanted to yell to Moutie to give his
mustang the pin wheel, but somehow L
couldn't do it. Maybe his clean, steady,
nerve, as he sat there waiting for Dorkin.
to come up, took my breath away. L
know this, that it made my face tingle
and my fingers to clcnch to see HIM
there.
Was that big brute never going to
stopl 1t looked as though he were 60
ing to ride the boy down. 1t was time
that took hand. Why hadn't done
it as socn as the boys last shot was
gomez
jabbed the spurs into Nance and she
gave bound forward, putting me al
most in range, but in that second Dor
kin raised his pistol with an aim that
was as firm as an iron rail and gave an
other ghastly grin. He was within ten
feet of the boy, who sat there with q
smile cn his face. Just as | was expect
ing to hear the pop and see the fash.
down fell Dorkin's right hand. His left
clutched his side, his head Topped down
over his horses neck and the ball from
his pistol nearly took the shoe OIL from
Montie's bucGskin.
One of Monte's bullets had done its
work, just on the scratch, as you might.
say.
Monte and | shook hands without a
word. No, he didn't cry that time. L
saw he needed doctor, but there was
something else TO be done just then.
"Do you really want to marry that
Beamster girl1' l asked. The young
saphead grinned as he said, eyes"
"Well, you'll never do it in the world
till this things fixed up all right"
pointed to Dorkin's we'll perforated
body.
"what do you meant"
"Can't you seel She won't dream of
having you if she knew that you plunked
the life out of that man. He's been
something to her some time, if he isn't
now. Aud then, remember, he was a
Mormon"
"It does look ugly, sure, " said Monte.
"Of course it does. What's to be
donel Let me think. Why, killed
him."
"Youl"
eyes" And before he could say
another word l had peeled off my jumper
and put bullet through one sleeve and
another through the loose part OF tho
back. Then l fired another through the
top of my hat.
Monte looked on in dazed sort OF
way.
"You see, it was about that old TO
brand quarrel of ours. You remember
that trouble Dorkin and l had last yearl
Well, that was it,"
"But how about mel' He glanced at
his arm as he spoke.
"You-why you've got to go to Eu.
reka in China Jim's wagon on the dead
quiet. When you come back in three
weeks from now you've had a fight with
man who tried to hold you up, or
something
Montie's eyes were moist with graft
tude, but hastenel him away to the
lone cabin of China jim, whom we
bought, body and soul, for two gold
twenties.
After that when l walked into old
Ashby's groggery the boys showed me
the utmost respect.
"That's the fellow who laid out biz
Dorkin," they would say to a stranger in
low tones as l passed along. "He's a
bad man."
And to save my life couldn't help
staggering little as wore the giants
robe.
No; 1 wasn't at the wedding. To tell
the truth, nobody was invited. The
Beamsters kept it still for fear the elders
would make fuss about Jess marrying
a Gentle. They were welded by that
Baptist preacher over from Tewks' which
was the more reason for keeping it quiet.
San Francisco Examiner.
How Shot GO.
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