The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-07
AT THE END OF THE LARIAT.*

BY JUAN MORO.

rode up and down the lines wrapped In
big blankets and with all the scarfs they
could gather round their nrcks
One night as the storm was worst there
came along the trail little herc-not
more than ZOO half starved cattle-that
had evidently bean hcrded through tho
summer OH their way north and had not
been pushed fast enough. In the camp
wagon that was with them was woman.
She came TO the ranch house To get some
food and we kept her there all night, the
cooks wife sharing a ted with her. The
glrl--for she was not more than child
asked III We knew James Morris. Of
course ve did not, but when the next
morning she took from her neck "A locket
and opening IL showed US the face OF
"Yellowback," We all looked blan%
enough, tell you.
She went back TO tho wagon. but they
did not get any farther. The man got
sick somehow and the woman went 10
tie other ranch whore she met Jeanne
Arsey, the girl that had the love OF Jim
or thought she had
Well, the expected happened. She told
her troubles To Jeanne and the girl knew
that she had been making love TO n mar
ried man. Mad? There IL no word TO ex-
press IL. She fairly ragged and rode the
plains for days almost beside herself. she
vowed that she would Kill him and then
was willing TO forgive for tn wife's sake.
But Jim did not come then.
The wife stayed and grew sick faster
than her father. Az last she diec and
Jeanne was free. But those who knew
were glad they had not the task that was
before Jim when he came home.
Our boss told us one day that the herd
would bs In in n week. The ranch was
prepared for the coming. and the cowboys
lovked forward 10 the event with interest.
for they would get day off In which tney
could 30 over To the settlement
At last the terd was within day s
drive and tie whole settlement was walt
ing for IL. The boys all knew the situa-
tion bstween Jim and Jeanne and wanted
to see what would happen.
Jim was tired whom he came into
camp and did not want TO talk. He ate
his dinner I'm quiet and then said Let $
go over To the town. "
OF couIs, we were ready and half
dozen OF Us went with him. On the way
he asked II We Ind seen Jeanne We told
him nothing about the visitor Of the past
few weeks. and only when we got TO tho
town did We sec him look cheerful.
Jim drank harder than ever seen him
do that afternoon and about O'CLOCK was
in lively mood. ready for any sort of an
escapade.
AS we rode down the little street we
saw coming in from The ranches woman
on horseback. All the herders fell back.
They did not want To see what hap
pened mt too snort range.
Jim recognised his old flame, aud hur
ried his horse forward To meet her. But
she did not hurry. Instead she was in the
most exasperating state OF delibert ton.
How ar ysl" called Jim. SO that we
could all hear
There was no answer.
What's the matterf" he demanded.
Don't you want TO marry meY'
For an answer sha gave her horse n
blow with the riding whip and came M
TO lis side. In her hand was the rawhide.
she lifted II high, and before he could
SEQ what she was going To do IL came
down across his face again and again. He
fairly howled with pain, but she rode
back 10 her side OF the street and kept up
the highway.
I'm kill her, 4" shouted Jim, and away
went his borFe to the saloon where he had
left his revolver.
AS he stood Lefore the tar trying to get
the barkeeper to giyo IL M she rode in
front of the house.
".lim Morris" she called, "come out
here"
How white Jim turned But he went
"You cowardly snoak. she began. ~
thought l loved you once, but now know
you. Do you remember those nights that
used TO scare you away from the mayer-
icks?"
Jim looked at her 10 astonishment Had
he been outwitted by woman
And last month i held In my arms n
woman who haa this picture. Do you
know it2''
She held out the miniature that was IN
the possession of the woman with the
herd. .Iiin shuddered.
Wtere-whore did you get ity" he
asked.
From your dead wife's hands. She
believed In you. and did not tell her bet
ter. She oied blessing you. and do you
know w6ero you ought To bop
The woman's eyes fairy b!azed rs she
Sat there on her horse and faced the little
company Of herders aud saloonists.
dim never said n word. He qusiled be-
fore the angry woman. but he was too
angry himself to give up.
You said n little while ago that you
would kill me" she sDegan oncs more
Get on that horse and let's see about
it, "
A Iony was standing near-Jim's. On
Its back tho men placed him, wondering
what would be the neyt move, but all
hoping that the vengeance would fit the
tr.mt.
- II count three, said Jeanne; then
look OUT
"One--n
jim was unarmel-what else could he
dor Ho Jabted the spurs into tie pony
ana was Off like n shot Up the long
street he went, aud had 300 feet the start
Ihen came "tbfeei'
Tsen We knew why the sorrel had