The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-07-30

41O oOA4AS1 oSt ~ r.
townsman is not now In FL Paso, al
though there was a rumor on the
streets this morning that he was seen
here early yesterday morning and that
he was engaged in a slight difficulty
with a stranger in a Utah street dance
hall"
"Dias mia" cried Maria.
There" said Tommy. He looked
curiously at the girl, who swayed from
side to side. She grasped his arm.
"They must be thrown off the track!
Do you understand? Oh, Tommy, you
will help me! Help me before they
come back from lunch. You must set
eet up as l tell you"
Tommy followed her meekly and
climbed upon her stool. Word has
Just reached U.S." dictated the girl, lay
ing her hand on the mans inky sleeve.
Tommy swallowed hard and picked at
the type.
that Pecos Bill is In hiding at
Plume's ranch, about twenty miles
from Ell Paso. He was seen there this
morning and was-and was slightly
wounded in the arm"
"Eet'll sound natural to say he's
wounded" she explained.
Tommy wagged his head. you're
smart one" he said.
Tommy, listen. I want you to put
that in the paper right after the con-
vention. And don't tell, Tommy"
It'll cost me my job" said Tommy,
with a husky voice; but, Maria, will
if you will give me a kiss"
Maria put up her lips without a
word, and Tommy kissed her on the
mouth.
She toiled through the afternoon, tor
tured by a thousand fears, until at last
Tommy, mallet in hand, pounded down
the last form and carried it to the
press. The little machine rumbled,
and the damp, sticky papers came out
Maria washed, wound her mantilla
around her head, seized paper and
went straight to Pecos Bill.
"Find the end of the convention and
tell me what you see," painted Maria.
Pecos Bill spread the sheet on the
rough floor and, easing himself on one
elbow, read down the column The fire
of knowledge flashed into his eyes.
"Why, amt out to Plume's," he cried.
She knelt down by the boy and put
her arms around his neck. 81 put that
in the paper" she cried, "to lead EN-
off send 'em out to the ranch, so l can
get you away"
He crawled to his feet painfully. His
eyes were bright, and the blood was in
his cheek
"Get down, can't your snarled the
girl. Don't you know they'll see your
She looked cautiously out of a window.
Many bearded men were lounging on
the porch Of a saloon across the street.
A rider dashed up to the group waving
a newspaper over his head. The crowd
listened while he read to them from the
saddle. Then the men jumped for their
horses. Maria went out.
When she came back she heckoned to
Bill. He followed her down side
stair He drank and went out. In front
of the dance hall was horse The street
was deserted. pecos Bill was climbing
painfully into the saddle when Bob
Cowan. a crumpled copy of the Mayer-
ick in his hand, dashed up the street on
horseback. His face was red with an
ger. Bill's gun was In his belt Maria
drew it out and pointed it at Cowan.
"Get down off that horse" she said.
CoWan dismounted fuming with rage.
Somebody s sent the whole town away
on Il wild goose chase. If I knew who
mcddled with my paper Ia break his
neck"
81 did eet," said Maria Throw up
your hands"
Cowan stood by the horse, with both
arms raised above his head. Maria
grasped the bride and swung herself
into the saddle. Hand me your gun,"
she commanded. still covering Cowan.
He gave his six shooter to the girl.
Snow" she said, everything ees all
right"
"I'll get you for this, Bill" stormed
Cowan, land you, too, Maria"
Just so it amt now" laughed Pecos
Bill. II don't care"
Before them, through tho struggling
town, lay the road to Mexico and mat
rimony.