Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-08-21

was q strange mixture or saint anu
devil. of kindness and brutality, of
generosity and merciless cruelty-a
paradox and that which begets more
outside interest than any other human
attitude. mystery.
"Why amt you ever been here be-
fore, sonny?" he asked presently. "Or
maybe that amt any Of my business
either"
"My father would not permit me to
come"
"Oh, that's It, eh3 And he gave In
this time, did be"
mo"
Craig Thompson cnuckled again.
"Don't you see, Lisle, that you have
answered t'other question! That's why
you're ahead Of the bunch. Just jump
ed the stockade, few the corral. lit out.
stampeded all by yourself, same's that
steer you roped in such good style. and
Dick thinks you're rounded up safe and
sound at home, eh? Is that the ticket?'
"That is exactly the situation, Mr..
Thompson" replied Lisle slowly. "When
l first saw you swinging after the steer.
l was wondering whether had better
keep down the valley or turn back and
meet my father. But you have answer
ed the question for me, for now I've
got to help you in with this steer"
"Humph! Look here, Lisle. Just
consider that we've shook hands, will
you? That makes us friends. Now.
I'm going to give you some advice. and
1t strikes me that for kid who has
passed all his life. If 1t amt only Is
years, punching cattle. roping steers.
shooting stars out Of the sky and occa-
sionally pinking an Indian or mayer
lex man-for that's what I've heard
about you-you need it as much as any
feller I know. In the first place. don't
mister any of the boys up here on
this mesa, or they'll make curiosity
out of you before you're "a hours your
present senior. In the second place.
when you have once started out to do
q thing don't turn back on any account.
Do it or drop in your tracks facing 1t.
It's a whole lot better to be shot be.
tween the eyes than it Is to be kicked
behind. That amt elegant. but it's
Gods truth. In the third place, tie up
to Craig Thompson for anything that
you can foresee at this writing. and If
he happens to have one Of his fits on
don't you mind 'em. They amt for
everybody. and they won't be for you.
Here comes two of my boys. They'll
take this critter, and we can ride In
more sociably."
They were soon relieved Of the care
of the steer, and then they rode on ST.
lently side by side for some distance.
"Why wouldn't Dick ever let you
come here before" asked Thompson
presently.
81 don't know. He would never tell
me-" replied Llsle.
"Well. can tell you."
"You can! Why is it?"
"I'll tell you by asking question or
two. Didn't you wing one Of my cow
boys, a fellow named Cummings, about
a year ago when he was over at your
place after a bunch Of steers that had
away?"
Eyes"
"What did you do it for"
because he was impertinent."
Exactly. What did he say"
"He said that was cut out for wo-
man and spoiled in the making. con-
vinced him that I was quicker with
my gun than he was, anyway"
Correct. He amt forgot 1t. and he
won't very soon. He's gone back east,
but he left piece Of one Of his ribs
out here to remember you by. How
ever. that Is why Dick don't want you
to come here. Seer"
"No."
"He's afraid somebody else will say
the same thing; that's ALL"
Lisle brought his horse to sudden
stand. His face darkened and his
black eyes flashed ominously.
"Do you say the same thing?" he
asked quietly. but in a tone which con-
veyed much more than did the words
that were uttered
Lord. what fire eater you are! No!
I don't say the same thin. but it would
be a compliment If did, for women
are q hanged sight better than men.
But that amt here nor there. Some
Of the boys will say it, or something
very much like it, and If you are going
to shoot every one that does you had
better lose no time In selecting a good
place to start your graveyard. You
won't be long in filling it."
"Why should they say such thing
as that"
"Well. there are good many rea-
sons. Are you going to take what l
say friendly or are you going to get
mad?"
"Ill not be angry"
Good. Well. s'pose it's because
you amt developed much. You're IL,
and you look in some ways like boy
of IA. Your voice amt changed enough
to suit the taste Of such people as like
to arrange other peoples affairs for
'em. That's one thing. It's a good
voice. but it's soft and tender and kind
er cooling. like girls. 'Twon't hurt it
any If you add a pound or two to Its
weight"
What clSe?"
Nothing else that can just put my
finger on unless it's your whole outfit.
You have Sncut so much Of your time