The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-06-15
CHAPTER X.

all sides of Carnleigh. For awhile Ron
aid had put aside his studies to super
intend the picking, hauling and ginning
of his cotton. The weather had been
favorable and he had made good crop.
He had not CHANGED to meet Mrs. Ian
caster again after the day she had
called and about the middle of August
he learned that she had gone back to
Charleston. His informant also limited
that Evelyn was TO follow her in Octo-
Der. He was trying to forget certain
| thoughts about her which had beat
! themselves into his heart during the
summer, and though he felt sharp
| pain over the announcement that she
was going away, he tried to look upon
it as providential.
There were other things. too. which
forced themsel, pr1u his attention.
Reports were ro.tinually f.tering
through the goss to him to the eff
feet that Sydr,y j art had sworn 10 be
reyenged on him ..' lavire made him
the butt Of ridicuie Oh The igl.' If the
attempted lynching. The new spapers
had given considerable space to the
matter, and the local CORES pondents.
being unknown to sgd, dared to write
what they would never have said TO his
face. They made him out even more
desperate outlaw, If possible, than he
was. and added sting to these state
ments by making n great hero of Fan
shaw, who was described as having
every grace and virtue that could fall
to the lot of one man. Moreover, lit
lie parson, who was visiting in the
neighborhood, and was told before
hand that sgd was in an adjoining
county, had taken the affair as a topic
for his discourse. and among other
things which reached sgd With almost
Geographic rapidity, he said that sgd
was a coward who was so much afraid
Of his shadow that he did his evil deeds
at night. So when all these things had
ranked for two months in Syd's mind.
he decided that he could at once prove
his courage and get even by having it
out with Ronald Fanshaw.
One day Ronald was leaving the cot
ton gin, which was about a mile from
the land he was renting, when Dave
rode up on top of a big load of loose
cotton.
Hold on, thar, Rom" he called out,
81 want to speak to YOU"
Ronald paused and Dave got down
from the wagon and joined him.
Look heer, have YOU got anything to
shoot with?" was Dawes anxious ques-
tion.
mot thing" returned our hero;
'why do you ask?"
Before answering Dave drew his re-
volver from his hip pocket.
Well he said, as he proffered it,
you'd better take this, an be on the |
safe side. Syd-Ilart and Thad Williams
IS in town, an they are due long heer
about now, sgd may pass you without
4 word; it's all OWN to his load o. rot
gut. lie kinder likes me, an | told i'm
one day if he ever harmed you I'd make
SITTER out'n his damn carcass. an he
Knows l meant it; but the sight o. YOU
night make i'm rabid"
Ronald hesitated, but, on being
Urged, he took the revolver and put il
nto his pocket.
u don't want any row." he said, set
ing his lips firmly, but l will not be
hot down in a public road"
Now you are talking like a free
porn American citizen" said Dave, and
ie went off to unload his cotton.
Ronald had succeeded in banishing
rom his mind the unpleasan, thought.
'oused by Dawes fears, and had crossed
he creek bridge and was within sight
u the dormer windows of Carnleigh
Vhen' down the deserted road. he heard
mans voice singing a roiliclling song.
t was Sydney Harris voice, and its muf-
led quality indicated inebriation. He
vas still hidden from view by sharp
'end in the road, but moment.later he
anne into sight, slowly riding along on
orseback. lie did not recognize Ron
Id till he was within some fifty wards
# him. Our hero saw him rein in his
orse suddenly and then whip out his
evolver. Ronald paused and put his
and on his own weapon, cooking it.
While it was still in his pocket. He
'as, for the moment, conscious of no
Their feeling than the instinct of self
reservation. Even then he hoped that
is antagonist had drawn his revolver
My in spirit of drunken bravado.
tut this hope was quickly put to fight
Syd's erect carriage and the steadi-
ess of his aim, which was now directed
n him. sgd laughed harshly.
This is the moment that has been
ent in answer TO my prayers" he said,
eiiberately' "Thars been a sight o.
NIX about yore spunk, but l never be-
eyed in II myself. I've always knowed .
ore liver war white. Now, this heer
lad is entirely too narrow fur me an
gu both TO travel on. You jest git into q
lem thar woods, UT won't leave |
zee o. yore carcass big enough to bait /
gnat on" I
Il don't want TO have any trouble t
18th you, Hart" answered Ronald, who b
Il al