Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-06-05

de won't get fat at 1t, none whatever"
AS you all seem to feel that away"
said Moore. "I'll step out an shoot with
you right now"
well, I'll shore go you." said Wat
kins.
They arose and stepped out at the door.
1t was gathering dark, but it was light
enough to shoot by.
The other cowboys followed in silence.
Not one said word in comment or i'm
reference. They were grave and seri-
Gus, but passive. 1t is not good form to
interfere with other peoples duels in the
southwest. The pretty girl was still sing
Ing, and the strains fell softly on the ears
OF the cowboys. Every one, whether on
locker or principal, felt inspired with a
lurking, pleased anticipation of the blood
to be soon set flowing. Nothing was said
OF distance. They separated to about 40
PAGES and turned to face each other.
Each wore his Colts 49," the loosely
buckled belt letting it rest low down on
the right hip. Each threw down his big
hat and stood at apparent ease, with his
thumbs caught in the pistol belt.
"Shall you give the word or me?' said
Moore.
"You give it," said Watkins. eth be
funny passage in American history il
you get your artillery to the front any
sooner than do then"
"Be you ready? asked Jack.
"Shore."
"Then got"
Bang! bang! bang! bang! went both
pistols together and with a rapidity not
to be counted. Moore got q crease in his
left shoulder, a mere wound to the flesh,
and Watkins fell, with bullet in his side.
Rawlins, the range boss, came running
out. He understood all at look. Hasti-
" examining Moore, he discovered that
his hurt was nothing serious. The others
carried Watkins into the house.
'Take my pony. saddled at the fence.
Jack" said Rawlins, ian pull your
freight. This yere mans goin to die"
(which shorely hopes he does" said
Jack bitterly. "I'll go, though. I amt
got no use for none of these yere he
Shorthorns around the HIT"
So he took Rawlins' pony, and when
he stopped riding in the morning it was
no marvel that the poor pony hung his
head dejectedly, while his TANKS steamed
and quivered. He was almost 100 miles
from his last corn and cooled his nervous
muzzle as he took his morning drink in
the Rio Pecos, stream far to the west
of the HI.
"Some shootin scrape about their sad
dies, miss; that's ALL" So reported Raw
Inns to the pretty girl.
isn't it horriblev' shuddered the pref
ty girl in reply.
The next morning the pretty girl and
her gnarled and twisted aunt paid the in
jured Watkins a visit. This sight SO at
fected the other three cowboys that they
at once saddled and rode awey to the
northwest to work some cattle on the
Ocate mesa. They intended to be gone
three months. They looked black and
forbidding as they galloped away.
Its pity Jack Moore amt no better
pistol shot," said one as the picture of
the pretty girl visiting the wounded Wat
kins arose in his mind.
THAT'S whatever" assented the others.
The pretty girl was full of sympathy
for the stricken Watkins. 1t occurred to
her, too, that his profile was clear and
handsome. He was certainly very pale,
and this stirred the depths Of her femi-
nine nature. She and her aunt came to
see the invalid every day. Once the
pretty girl said she would bring him a
book to read and while away the hours
which seemed shod with lead.
81 can't read" said Watkins in a tone
Of deepest shame. 81 never learned.
should like to read, too, but there's no
one to teach me. So that settles that"
and the rascal expressed deep sigh.
Watkins lied. 1t was he who was the
Princeton man. He said afterward that
this lie was the only real good work he
ever did in his life.
So the pretty girl came every day and
gave Watkins a reading lesson, while the
gnarled aunt read book and watched
them through the open door.
"By the way" said Watkins one day,
'where's Moore?'
"Why?" asked the range boss, to
whom the question was put.
"You tell him." said Watkins, his eyes
beginning to gather rage, that when
get out I'll be lookin for him with some
thin besides feldglass."
"Oh. no." said the pretty girl, rising
and coming toward his couch. Her tone
showed disturbance and fear at the
thought.
AS he gazed at her the look changed in
his eyes. Hate for Moore gave place to
something else.
NO" he said at last. "Tell him it's
all right, Rawlins."
The pretty girl thought him very noble.
Watkins was out in five weeks and
could go about the ranch. One night
Rawins thought he heard a pony in the
yard and arose to remedy the matter.
As he stepped out a couple passed him in
the moonlight. 1t was Watkins and the
pretty girl. The caitiff's arm was round
her.-Kansas City Times.