The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-08-03

supply us all right enough. Still, really
know nothing about the firm except that
they turn out q frst-claSs article. We're
not in any way responsible for Danny d
Strong; we're merely agents for the State
of Texas. YOU know the man added, with
sudden caution.
II have nothing against the firm" said
Strong. Il asked because | once knew
some members of it, and was wondering
how it was getting along"
We'll in that case you ought to sec tie
American representative. He was here this
week. That's why we make such dis
play in the windows; it always pleascS the
agent. He's now working up the State
and will be back in Galveston before the
month is out"
What's his name? Do you rcmember:'
DANNY. George Dandy, think. Heres
his card. No, John Danny is the name.
| thought it was George. Most English
men are George. You know"
Strong looked at the card, but the let
tering seemed 70 waver before his eyes.
He made out, however, that Mr.. John
Dandy had an address i'll New York, and
that he was the American representative OF
Danby & Strong, London. Strong placed
the card on the counter before him.
II used to know Mr.. Dandy, and |
would like to meet him. Where do You
think 1 could find h!m?"
"Well, as l said before, you could see
him right here in Galveston, but if you are
in 3 hurry you might catch him at Bron-
cho junction on Thursday night"
''He is travelling by rail, then?"
s'No, he is not. He went by rail as far
as Felixopolis There he takes horse,
and goes across the praires to Broncho
functions three days journey. | told
him be wouldn't do much business on that
route, but he said he was going partly for
his health, and partly TO see the country.
He expected to reach Broncho Thursday
night" The dry goods merchant laughed
as one who suddenly remembers apleasant
circumstance. YOU'RE an Englishman, |
take it."
Strong nodded.
s<Well, 1 Imust say you folks have queer
notions about this country. Dandy, who
was going for three days journey across
the plains, bought himself two Colt revol-
vers and a knife half as long as my arm.
Now, I've travelled all over this State and
never carried gun, but couldn't get
Dandy to believe his route was as safe as
church. Of course, now and then ~
Texas a cowboy shoots off his gun, but it's
more often his mouth, and l don't believe
there's more killing done in Texas than IN
any other bit of land the same size. But
YOU can't get an Englishman to believe
that. You folks are an awful lawabldlnS
crowd. For my part would sooner stand
nv chance with revolver than lawsuit
any1day." Then the good-natured Texan
told the story of the pistol in Texas; OF the
general lack of demand for it, but the
great necessity of having it handy when it
was called for.
A man with murder in his heart should
not hold a conversation like this, but Will
lam Strong was too full of one idea to
thlnK OF prudence. Such a talk sets the
hounds of justice on the rIgnt rall, VIII
unpleasant results for the criminal.
On Thursday morning Strong set out on
horseback from Broncho junction with his
face towards Felixopolis. BY noon he said
to himself he ought to meet his former
partner with nothing but the horizon
around them. Beside the revolvers IN his
belt. Strong had Winchester rifle III front
Of him. He did not know but he might
have to shoot at long range, and 1t was al
ways we'll to prepare for eventualtlcS.
Twelve o'clock came, but lie met no one,
and there was nothing in sight around the
empty circle of the horizon. 1t was nearly
two before he saw moving dot ahead OF
him. Dandy was evidently unused to
riding and had come leisurely. Some time
before they met, Strong recognized his for
mer partner and he got his rifle ready.
Throw up your hands" he shouted,
bringing the rifle butt to his shoulder.
Dandy instantly raised his hands above
his head. Il have no money on me-" he
cried, evidently not recognizing his
opponent. "You may search me if you
like"
.'Get down off your horse; don't lower
your hands, or | fire"
Dandy got down as well as he could
with bis hands above his head. Strong
had thrown his right leg over to the LETT
side of the horse, and, as his enemy got
down he also slid to the ground, keeping
Danbv covered with the rifle.
Il assure you have only few dollars
with me, which you are quite welcome to"
said Dandy.
Strong did not answer. Seeing that the
shooting was to be at short range, he took
a six-shooter from his belt, and, cooking It,
covered his man, throwing the rife on the
grass. He walked up to his enemy, placed
the muzzIe of the revolver against his
rapidly beating heart, and leisurcly dis
armed him, throwing Danby's weapons on
the ground out of reach. Then he stood
back a few PAGES and looked at the trem-
bling man. His face seemed to have al
ready taken on the hue of death, and his
lips were bloodlcss.
Il see you recognize me at last, Mr..
Dandy. This is an unexpected meeting.
is it not? You realize, hope, that there
are no judges, juries, nor lawyers, no man
damuses and no appeals. Nothing but Il
writ of eiectment from the barrel OF i p:s-
tol and no legal way of staying the pro-
ceedings. In other words, no cursed
bubbles and no internal law"
Dandy, after moistenins his palIid lips,
found his voice.
do you mean to give m2 chance or
are YOU going to murder me-"
81 am going to murder you"
Dandy closed his eyes, let his hands
drop to his sides, and swayed gently from
side to side as man does on the scatfod
lust before the bolt is drawn. Strong
lowered his revolver and fired, shattcrInG
one knee of the doomed man. Dandy