The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-07-09
HER FATHERS
VICTIM
A Story of Western Life.
By THoMs i. MoNFoRT.
Copyright, 1891, \. N. Kellog N. Col

| Copyright, 1891, \. N. Kellog N. Co.
Green with CLEAN oI anger, that
pmposed acting dishonorably?n
mo, oh no, 1 don't mean to imply
anything. I am just stating the facts
of the matter. l have a perfect right
to my opinion, though, presume
II suppose you have, but you have no
right to make any assertions. | ac-
knowledge that did act imprudently,
but / was driven to it. You know what
my situation is, and you ought to be
willing to make some allowances.
However, will now pay you that part
| of the debt for which the horses and
wagon stood as security, and that, /
| suppose, will make the matter all right" :"
"No, I can't accept such terms. 1t
would be setting bad precedent for my
customers, and would lead to no end of
trouble"
What do you man j do, them"
John asked with trepidationJ
II can do but one thing" sNplied
Mills, land that is to lot thNSAA take
its course. l suppose you know Nat
that will lead to-" X +.
"Great heavens, mani" john 6ed.
remember mywife, ana @sowt t1at you
have asleart. Would you send me away
loprison for no crime and kill nv poor
wife by the act? Surely you cannot be
brutal enough to do that"
II shall not do it, Mr.. Green" Mills
replied coolly 81 am not the law, and
neither can / answer for the law. You
have placed yourself in the laws grasp
and you will have to abide the conse-
quences."
"Can't I do anything to satisfy you
and avert this awful fate?" asked John.
"Not that l know Of" said Mills.
"You will have to make your plea to
the court"
Mills turned to ride away, but Harry
Pearson, who all this time had kept
qniet, motioned him aside, and for
some time they talked together earn
estly. Finally they came back to Green.
and Mills said:
''For the present, Mr.. Green. VIII
let this affair rest.ssince ny friend here
so much desires l should. He agrees to
stand responsible for you, andlI have
promised to do nothing for few days.
l do not know what may be done
eventually, but just now you NAV rest
quietly. Good day."
Pearson went away with Mills to
avoid Johns thanks, and John returned
to the house greatly relieved by the
turn matters had taken.
Pearson will see me out all right"
he thought, land there will be nothing
more Of it. He will compel Mills to ac-
cept the money and remain quiet"
In this reckoning John was correct to
a certain extent, but he little dreamed
how dearly Pearson meant to charge
for his good Offices.
Two or three days passed and then
Pearson came again to John Green's
house. John welcomed him with all
his heart and embraced the opportun-
ity to thank him for his services rem
dered few days before.
1T is nothing" Harry protested.
nothing at all, Green, to make fuss
over; and yet I'm glad / was able to
help you. Mills is bad man to deal
with, as have lately discovered, and I
am sorry you borrowed that money of
him. But having got you into his hands
1 feel it my duty to help you out. But
there, we'll let the matter drop. How
is Mrs. Green to-day?"
"She is doing splendidly," said John.
Improving rapidly, and if nothing in
terferes to give her a relapse she'll soon
be well enough to get about. She has
had trying time of it."
Indeed she has, y replied Harry SYM
pathetically.
Harry soon found an opportunity of
suggesting walk to Louise, and she
feeling somewhat in duty bound ac-
cepted his proposal. Together they
walked out across the prairie Pearson
doing the most of the talking, and for
some time confining himself to trivial
matters. But at last, when they came
to the bank of the creek, they sat down,
and Pearson proceeded to speak of
of more Importance
Louise" he said, 81 have brought
you out here to-day to speak to you on
ssubject that lies near my heart, and
which cannot bury, though I've tried
'ften. You know what it is?"
'I'm afraid l do" said she.
"Afraid?" he repeated. "Then You
ave not changed your mind?"
mo, no, and never can" /
Louise" said Pearson quickly, 'vnu
an change your mind, and you must T
3ve you better than any other man eder
i'd or ever will. I'll do anything to Win
on. l have busted myself to helm vokr