Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-02-21
CHAPTER xI.-tcontinusd1

SO detected ia the young mans pan
nes. something so foforn. that Jacks
attention was riyetsd upon his face.
and tho next moment he MAS in the
grip Of Foster. who had sprung upon
hins from behind and pihned him To
the moor. his hand upon bis throat. be-
fore Jack had time To realize Sha, had
happened.
Parker had suddenly come to Jacks
aid. ssd Foster the next moment was
as helpless as Jack had been.
1t was his own fault" said Parker.
you should not tribe with desperate
men"
His blood boiling st the treaehery
Of Poster. Jack struck him blow in
the face that sent him staggering To
the other end Of the room. and brought
In the landlord.
-it is nothing said Parker. -oniy
little tussio for wager.
That's ALL" said the coward fos-
ter. wipins the blood from his face.
Hand over your pistols To your com
panion.- said Jack. addressing Foster.
when tho :sndiord had disappeared.
''aad sit over yonder. ] can uust Par
kcr. aud don't mind II he do-s pistol
me. he has done wofsr to me. and
might a. we'll hnish his work: but you.
you God sorsak-n coward. III tear thee
limb from limb u Nc come together
once asain.'
Foster handed his pistols TO Parker.
who laid them upon the table and said:
young man. there is no word lad
enough In your mouth for you to use
against me: ! am all you have called
my companion. bu, the difference be-
tween us is. that suffer from rcmoErc
and he does not. that I did love. do
love. aud shall love To the last. the
woman who has had the misfortune To
tho murder Of Bciiinghnm. but the
robbery
''Bciiinsham.' exclaimed Jack. was
Il Bciiinsham! Great God! One Of
tho best and bravcst men In the whole
country! Was II BcllinEham! What
have done in all my life that Fate
should place you In my hands. and
tha; ! should be bound to let you go. 80
Then you did not know who the
man was?''
Not I. nor she: II was enough for
her that murder had been done and
that you were Implicated
How did she know that
by your hat"
WELL said Barker. for the hrst
time deeply interested. "and how came
she to see the hat.''
she was In the abbey: you passed
her hiding place carrying the body.
Your hat fell at her feet: she picked
II up"
"shc in the abbey" exclaimed Par
ker.
''Ycs. beneath the elder tree in the
aisle"
when We passed carrying the
body?"
Yes" said Jack. ut was n wager:
they said she burst not go to the alb
hey In the storm. She went; she was
standing by n favorite seat of hers
when she heard voices. saw what
have said. and. knowing you to be one
Of he-well-murderers. she had faith
enough in me-in me. of all men-to
he her messenger to you to warn you
iEO" tHc Souutis. " Set gOu DeyOuu
the seas. And now my job is done:
she'll know all in good time as 1t is
done. And so I wish you good night"
stay a moment said Parker, de-
tanning him. But can send her no
message by you: will take 1t myself"
Then you'll swing for 1t. make no
doubt" said Jack. i've no more to
say" whereupon he strobe out OF the
room as he came. went into the bar.
called for drink, had his horse re-
freshed with warm mash, and rode
away.
Its all up. Foster. Save yourself,
don't mind me. Fate is against u.s."
Your own cursed folly" said Fos-
ter.
Yes. the folly that trusted the word
of liar such as you" responded the
remorscful confederate. "Begone, Fos-
ter. or I may do you mischief; save
yourself. Give no further thought of
me-"
shall | 20 alone?"
alone, or with what other company
you choose: but without me-"
"Your share of the money" said
Foster. 81 am not quite so bad as you
make me. Here it is"
keep it. Foster. honor in you
that one emotion of honesty. Forgive
me If ! seem to suggest you are worse
than L"
out his hand. Report me we'll to the
boys; bid them seek fresh occupation,
or better leader than Gentleman
Dick"
Goodbye, and a better frame of
mind to you" was all Foster said, as
he left the room, went to the stable,
ordered his horse, paid his bill. and
started on his way, glad to get outside
the maudlin influence of Parker. and
not little delighted to be master of