Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-12-07
The World Against Him
BY WILL N. HARLEM.
Copyright. 1900. by
A. N. Kellogg Newspaper Company.
CHAPTER VM.-CoNr1NuED.

CHAPTER Vu.-CONTINUED.
A murmur of approval rose from the
group, even Mrs. Fanshaw, who sat
rocking between her two daughters on
the porch, grunted as if sgd Hart had
furnished the key to problem which
involved the welfare of the nation.
Ronald's face was flushed, look Of
determiL alton was in his eyes.
NO." he said, firmly; 'they must
give him trial.
Sydney Hart leaned back N his sad
Gle and laughed tantalizingly.
ooh, you want to get chance at
him, Ell? You are studyin' to be law
yer, an you've already begun to look
after the intrust of your gang. Well,
you won't make anything out of this
job if can help it,
"We shall see," answered Ronald.
HE may not be guilty and you shall
not lynch him!"
The rider of the horse leaned towards
Ronald and snapped his fingers, white
look Of fury unbridled on his sinister
face.
''Bah!'' he said, CONTEMPORARY. eff
i couldn't thwart you I'd cut my throat.
It's go, then; you are a-goin' to give
the scamp trial an I'm .a-goin' to let
the boys have Their fun: Ha, ha! you
make me sick"
Ronald said nothing and Hart
wheeled his horse and, followed by the
crowd, he started towards the edge of
the swamp. Dave fingered by the side
OF his brother.
Don't stick yore head in the fire,
Rom" he counseled; mo human power
can balk Sgd when he once makes up
his mind. Besides, you'll make dan
gerous enemy out O. him, an everything
points to the fellows guilt. What did
he break an run fur if he was inno-
cent?"
That's what I want to know" in
terposed Jade Fanshaw, in a surly tone,
and his wife and daughters nodded ap-
provingly.
Because" was Ronald's reply, che
perhaps knew that the law is not up
held in these mountains and was afraid
he would be lynched."
81 believe he killed Mrs. Telplay,"
affirmed Mrs. Fanshaw, ''an' as fur as
I'm concerned, they may take i'm off
an hang i'm. The way justice is cheat
ed in court is enough to dissatisfy any
- body"
Ronald did not carry the argument
further. He went up to his room, and
from his window watched Sydney Hart
placing his men along the road which
led by the edge of the swamp. In
about an hour Dave came upstairs and
leaned in the doorway, an air of in
decision on him. II have been studyin'
over this, Ron," he said, sheepishly,
IAN Pm mighty sorry / can't go the
whole hog with you, but 1 jest can't
look at it like you do. have decided
to make it a draw-Tll not jine Harris
crowd nor yores nuther. I mought be
with you eff I could see a ghost of a
chance O. winnin', but them fellers
would shoot us down like black cats on
a white fence"
Ronald looked him over with steady
eye. II could never feel like patriotic
American again if do not fight fol-
this fellows life,' he said. "Will you
lend me your revolver again?"
Dave slowly drew it from his hip
pocket.
II feel like you are a-goin' to git
yorese'f in a awful fix" he said. 81
wisht you would think better of it
You nur me, nur no one man can't run
the universe"
you are right" replied Ronald, ''but
we can help do it. Our father, Dave
was an outlaw up in Tennessee during
the war and am going to try to atone
for his conduct by unfolding the law
down here to the best of my ability
David sat down in a chair near Ron
AIDS book-strewn table.
1--WE been powerful afraid somebody
down heer would git hold O. all that, ,
he said, with some concern. 81 wish
we had never located so near his old
.stamping-ground as this"
There is no use trying to escape the
consequences of crime" responded
Ronald. II believe he thinks of his
past night and day. I have seen him
jump out Of bed in the middle of the
night as if he thought some one was
trying to kill him."
"And think ma is as much afeerd as
he is" answered Dave. Sometimes |
think she took hand in all of it."
To this Ronald made no answer.
CHAPTER VII.
That rnnru;pr Tho