Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1902-05-08


my chief. He laughed heartily at the
beginning of my talk, thinking ! was
Joking, but when I convinced him !
was serious, he fixed his steel-blue
eyes ON me few minutes, screwed
the corners of his thin lips, and then
spoke in dry voice: ~ knew you
were a man of abnormal imagination,
but that you were insane, never be-
fore suspected. Go along, sonny, if
nothing else will do you. I'm not
afraid of your being hurt, or I'd have
you looked after. Buster Taggart is
4 terror to the revenue service, but
he is not murderer. In fact, hear
he is passionately fond of children"
A few days later found myself rid
ing along rocky road that wriggled
between precipitous walls in the noun
tains of Elliott county. A little stream
Uttered along the route, and, far
above, the pine-harps sang soft tunes.
My imagination responded to the con-
genial influences, and poetry streamed
through my heart. " f..
All at cnce my horse reared. bent his
fine neck, spread his nostrils and snort
ed alarm.
The next second sharp report shat
tered the silence. My horse, quivering,
stood in the center of the road. The
next second the click of dry branch
was heard above me. Then splash
among green leaves. Then, down
across the pommel of my saddle
dropped huge wild cat, his bosom
squirting blood. What did all this
mean? While sitting in helpless won
derment the air began to bubble with
musical laughter. gazed about, seek
ing the source of this concord of sweet
sounds. Soon came a velvety swish
among, the paw-paw bushes at the left
of the road. Turning my eyes, fearful
ly but eagerly, I saw u face, framed by
green foliage. From the face smiles
sped like sunbeams and, at their touch.
felt my own grow instantly bright.
Was I dreaming? If SO, prayed to
awaken never! But I was not dream
ing. Out through the screen of leaves
pushed the form of young woman,
clad in blue velvet. She had on her
head a white, mans hat, the left brim
pinned to the side of the crown, re-
vealing broad band of squirming hair
above the ear. A great lot of lazy, yell
low curls lolled on her shoulders.
I sat speechless, watching the riot
of beauteous expression in her face.
I had seen that face before. Nay,
I had it in my heart-in the locket
of memory.
Directly she advanced within touch
of me, and, reaching up a shapely
hand, she said: "Alr. Leon Clifford.
are you not going to shake my hand
and congratulate me for saving your
throat from that wild cat? He was
about to spring on you when sprang
a surprise on him."
I took her proffered hand and as
the current of magnetism flashed
along the line of my nerves, said,
not knowing what else to say: I'm
certainly thankful to you for depriv-
ing me of this wanton enemy, but
how did you know my name?" e.
"Oh, I've known your name for sew
eral years, and became especially fa-
miliar with it of late, since it was
known that you would free the hills
of the moonshiner king"
II presume I'm not far from his
haunts?" 1 said, feeling heroic
surge in my soul.
''Not very far, but you can't ar
range to capture him this evening.
You will go home with me. I live
only short distance from here.
II thank you for the hospitablc
offer, but must be going on now"
''Oh, no; you'll not so on this even
ing, sir" she said, tapping her gun,
and smiling significantly. 81 invite
you kindly to go with me, and hope
Ill not have to say you shall so,
sir" ..
"You won't have to use that gun
to persuade me-" 1 said, ncrvously.
I'll co.
"Of course you will"
A short distance ahead, the narrow
throat of the gorge widened into a
beautiful bosom of green valley, in
the center of which a white house
shone in the declining sun like a sill
YER star. s.
When we got to the gate, great.
broad, tall giant came ambling down
the path towards us, his hands in his
pockets and benevolent smile strug-
Cling through his shaggy beard.
"Mr. Leon" spoke the girl, gayly,
''let me introduce you to my father.
the celebrated outlaw, Buster Tag
gart!"
A few minutes later I was chatting
with Miss Flora Taggart in the par
lor, when she arose, and, going to the
comfortable, brought a photograph of
a handsome boy whom I recognized
Us the youthful Leon Clifford.
81 got it from your boarding house
mistress the night after I met you in
Lexington" she said, as she took it
back and looked as if abe was men
tally kissing it. .......- g..
II have your photograph, too, said
in the loclet in my soul"
Two weeks later, as I introduced
my beautiful wife to my chief, said:
II did not bring back Buster, but
here is the favorite member of his