Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1893-12-07
..,yho fred that shot?" / as

''Who fired that shot?" as my
self The object was not rob j. be-
cause no human being could have
breasted the ice and current to have
reached me. had the shot been fatal
Again, would have been attacked by
accomplices at the turn, had robbery
been planned. Perhaps not. The fail
ure of the first shot might have de-
tered others from seeking me at close
quarters. Could some one be seeking
revenge? Very likely. had never
hesitated in discharging a workman
for cause. Many threats against my
lite had come to my ears, but never a
bullet before Was there woman in
the situation? A resume of firtations,
dances, double rides on Fanny's back,
chance meets on mountain trails with
mountain maidens and hickory widows
failed to remind me of anything seri-
Gus or even debatable case. There
was no imported malice in the moun-
tains; it must be local. I was as fal
apart as the tips of my ears in decision
when reached the log cabin camp, fol
the time home.
Mr.. Whipin, my partner, looked
grave when told him OF my escape.
He was brave fellow, true TO the
core, quiet to evaporation, slow as a
fuse, fiery as a hornet, and worked ex-
cessive profanity inside. He suddenly
went around the stable, and knew he
was swearing. He was quite chirpy
when he came back. The prospect of a
still hunt or fight always enlivened
him.
1--WE had better keep the thing to
ourselves" he said. s'The whelp will
drop his scent some day" (Horses or
hunting furnished him with all of his
figures of specify "When we run him
to earth we will smoke him out with
powder" He left me and went behind
tree, and heard his fists ring on the
bark.
We lived alone In t,vo-roomed ca bin,
excepting the presence of as wild and
well-made mountain girl as ever
whooped hymns for outbursts of jollity
and laughed through her prayers be-
cause "she didn't b'lieve the Lord kept
what she axed fer.'' A year had passed
since 1 had found her showed in, starv-
ing, in her fathers cabin-her father
dead by the freless hearth-and had
carried her on Fanny's back to warmth
and life and comfort. She was kinless,
gypsy-like, perfect in limb and line,
glossy in beauty, purring and loving
as a cat when pleased, a panther in
Az No. fpo,
her terrible experience she took my
partner and myself to her heart and
care, and woe be to the man, woman
or child who interfered with her monop-
oily. She had a beau, Jest to fool
WITH" she said, "au' ride bareback
across the fords meetin' nights" jeff
Kantry was his name. He was fair
average specimen of young noun
taineer and devotedly fond of her. She
leased him numerically.
''Shall we tell Mat?" asked, as we
walked from the stable to the house.
'There is no use weighing in for a
race with Mats wits. I'll bet five dol
lars she will distance you, take the
purse, gate money and secret. and
show us her heels after the fellow that
shot you in five minutes. If it was 1 that
was hurt I'd give her five minutes
longer. But you are her Josh"
A joyous "Whoopee" burst from the
girl as she jumped the doorsteps, and.
bareheaded, ran along the snow path
to meet me, her eyes lustrous as a
seals. 'I'm glad you're back. Gimme
that pesky money. never think Nv
you bein' safe till l git a hold Nv it. l
won't let you go arter it alone ag'in.
notime-never. I'd cut right caper
if you hadn't got home afore dark
night. You're too venturesome. What
KEEP you SO long at the stable, an you
nearly froze? What-what's the mat
ter? What's your hat dom over side
ways thataway fer? What's your pistol
stickin' out of yer wrong pocket fer?
Hev you he'd a fight? Air you hurt?"
Her cheeks were too health-hued to
blanch, but her expressive face was
Melted in lines of anxiety. While she
awaited my answer she glanced search
ingly at my partner.
Nothing is the matter, Mat" l an
swered.
Il know better, colonel Look at
him. He's been swearin'. His face is
red yit. He's blue at his nose corners
His hans hain't in his pockets. He's
been mad. Don't story to Mat Tell
me now, won't you?" She laid her
hand on my arm. She was purring.
Nobody could resist the sweetness of
her Tell me now"
BY the open fire, cracking, sputter-
ing, roaring, told her of the shot and
the wild ride. AS she listened, rubbed
warmth into my ears, bathed, salved,
patched and petted my wound, her
face was the battle-ground of emotions.
The merest trifle connected with the
affair did not escape her questioning.