The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-02-21
CHAPTER x.

CHAPTER x.
The summer passed and the fall ap. |
preached. The cotton, ripencd, burst
It's bolls and whitencd on the brown
stalks ill broad fields Of snow lay on
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.
lie 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
Il as providential.
There were other things. too, which
forced themselves upon his attention.
Reports were continually altering
through the gossips to him TO the ef-
feet that Sydney Hart had sworn TO be
revengcd on him for having made him
the butt OF ridicule on the night Of the
attempted lynching. The newspapers
had given considerable space to the
matter, and the local correspondents,
being unknown to sgd, dared to write
what they would never have said to his
face. They made him out even more
| desperate outlaw, II possible, than he
was, and added a sting to these state
ments by making n great hero OF Fan.
shaw, who was described rs having
| every grace and virtue that could fall
| to the lot OF one man. Moreover, a III.
| tie parson, who was visiting In the
| ncighborhood, and was told before.
hand that sgd was In an adjoining
county, had taken the affair az topic
| for his discourse, and among other
things which reached Sgd with almost
| telegrapbic rapidity, he said that sgd
was 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 Mt once prove
his courage and get even by having II
out with Ronald Fanshaw.
One day Ronald was leaving the cot
ton gin, which was about mile from
the land he was renting. when Dave
rode up on top Of big load Of loose
cotton.
Hold on, thar, Rom" he called out
~ want TO speak to you."
Ronald paused and Dave got down
from the wagon and joined him.
"Look heer, have you got anything Il
shoot with?" was Dawes anxious qucs
tion.
"Not a thing" returned our hero;
"why do you ask?"
Before answering Dave drew his re
volver from his hip pocket.
"Well." he said, as he preferred II
you'd better take this, an be on th'
safe side. sgd Hart and Thad Willinml
Is In town, an they are due long hee
about now. Sgd inny pass you withou
word; It's all owia' to his load o. rot
gut. lie kinder likes me. an told In
one day II he ever harmed you I'd maxi
II sitter out'D his damn carcass, an h
knows meant II; but the sight o. yo'
might make i'm rabid."
Ronald hesitated, but, on beini
urged, he took the revolver and put 1
into his pocket.
~ don't want any row." he said, set
ting his lips firmly, "but ] will not b
shot down In public road"
"Now you are talking like n free
born American citizen" said Dave, ant
he went OIL to unload his cotton.
Ronald had succeeded in banishinI
from his mind the unpleasant; thought
reused by Dawes fears, and had crosse'
the creek bridge and was within sigh
of the dormer windows Of Carnleigl
when. down the deserted rond. he henr'
mans voice singing roilicking song
II was Sydney IInrt's voice. and Its mui
fed quality indicated inebriation. II
was still hidden from view by "a shar
bend In the road, but q moment later h
came into sight, slowly riding along o.
horseback. lie did not recognize Ror
aid till he was within some fifty yard
Of him. Our hero saw him rein In hi
horse suddenly and then whip out hi
revolver. Ronald paused and put hi
hand on his own weapon. cooking 4
while II was still In his pocket. II
was, for the moment, conscious Of n
other feeling than the instinct OF sell
preservation. Even then he hoped thn
his antagonist had drawn his revolve
: only In spirit OF drunken bravad,
But this hope was quickly put to hlgh
by Syd's erect carriage and the stead
ness of his aim, which was now directe
on him. Sgd laughed harshly.
"This Is the moment that has bee
sent In answer to my prayers" he SAID
: deliberately. "Thnr's been a sight I
talk about yore spunk, but never bt
lieved In II myself I've always knowe
yore liver war white. Now, this hee
road Ii entirely too narrow fur me NJ
you both TO travel ON. You jest git int
them thar woods, ur won't leave
piece o. yore carcass big enough to bai
: a gnat On"
~ don't want TO have any troubl
; with you, Hart" answered Ronald. VIII
J had still not drawn his revolver, "but
J will not allow any living man, drunk o
sober, to drive me from public high
way"
, "You won't, hey? Well, we'll see ho'
you like lead pills." Our hero saw th
? barrel Of the revolver steady itself, IN
a blue puff Of smoke rise from II. 70
J lowed by a sharp report. Rouald hear
: the ball whistle by him. He drew HI
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