Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-29

annoyed ut the sudden, subordinate and aux
iliary position to which he the protector of
the enterprise, had been reduced. 1t was tr,lc
that he had never offered himself as their
leader; g was true that the principle he
wished to uphold and the effect he sought to
obtain would bc equally demonstrated ul,der
another. il was true that the execution of his
own conception grayitXed by some occult
impulse to the man who had not sought it,
and whom he had always regarded MS an in
capable But all this was so unlike precedent
or tradition that. after the fashion of con
sorvative men, he was suspicious of it, and
ONLY that his honor was now involved he
would have withdrawn from the enterprise
There was still chance of rcasserting him
self ut the station, where he was known,
and where some authority might be depute1
to him.
But even th, prospect failed. The station,
half hotel and half stable, contained only the
landlord. Nho was also express agent and the
now volunteer whom Clinch had suggested
would Ac found among the stable men. The
nearest Justice of the peace was ten miles
away. and Hale had to abandon even his
hope of being sworn in as deputy constable.
This introduction of a common ard lliterate
ostlcr INFO the party on equal terms with
himself did not add to his satisfaction, and a
remark from Rawiis seemed to complete
lis embarrassment.
"Nc had mighty narrcr escape down
there Just now" said that gentleman conf
dcutalv. rs Hale buclilcd his saddle girths.
Il thought, as we were not supposed to
defend Ourselves there was no danger said
Hale scornfullv.
con, don't mean them road agents. But
HAN"
Who
"Kcrncl Clinch. You jist cz good as al
lowed he hadn't any grit
"Whatevcr | said suppose | am respon-
sible FOR it, answered Hale haughtily.
"That's what gifts me, was the imperturb-
able reply. Hes the best shot in southern
California. and hcz let daylight through a
dozen chans atore now for half what YOU
said"
"lndced"
"llowsummevcr." continued Rawlins phil
osophcav. "ez he's concluded to go with We
instead Of for We, you're likely to hev your
ideas on this matter carried out up 10 the
handle. He'll make short work Of it, you
bet TT. ~ | suspect, the leader is an airy
young Teller from Frisco, who hcz took to the
road lately, Clinch hez got a personal grudso
agin him from quarrel over draw poker
This was the last blow to IIales ideal cru
salo. Here he Was-an honest, respectable
! citiun-engagcd rs simple accessory to Il
/ lawlcss vendetta originating at "a gambling
/ tGblr! When the first shock was over that
/ grim philosophy which Is the reaction Of all
| imaginative and sensitive natures came 10 his
| aid He felt hottor oddly enough he began
to lie conscious that lac was thinking and act
ing like his companions. With this feeling Il
vague sympathy, before absent, family
showed Itself in their actions. The Shapes
ride PVT into his hands hy the stablcman was
accompanied by a familiar word Of sugges-
tion rs to an equal, which he was ashamed to
find liattorcd him. lie was able to continue
the conversation with Rawiu, more coolly.
Then YOU suspect who is the lcaderi1
"Only on eniral principles. There was a
finer touch, 50 TO speak, in this yer robbery
that wasn't in the old fashioned style. Down
in my country they he'd crude ideas about
them thnss-uscd to strip the passengers of
everything, iucludiu their clothes. They say
| that at the station hotels. when the coaches
came in, the folks used TO stand round with
blankets to wrap NJ the passengers 50 cznot to
slccr the wmcn. Thar' a story that the
driver and express manager drove up one day
with only copy of The Atty Califomy
wrapped around en-; but thin," added Raw.
inS Crinly, "thorc was folks ~ said the hull
story WAS only an advertisement got up for
The Atty"
"T.mc's up"
"Arc You ready, gcn,lciusur said Cot.
Cliu-h
Halo started He had forgotten his wife
81 family At EaSle's Court ten miles away
They would be alarmed Il; hi9 absence, woult
perhaps hear some exaggerated version Of the
.tapc coach robbery and fear the worst
"s there any way | could send a line t,
Each, Court before daylreakF he asked
eagerly.
The station was already drained of it
spare men and horses The undenomnateC
passenger stepped forward and offered t.
tai, it himself when his business, which h,
would dispatch as quickly as possible, va
con luded.
That amt IL bad idea" said Clinch, re
ntNWcly, for Of Yer hurry -su'ii head en-
OF in case they scent Us, and t.y TO douhl
Larl; on the North ridge They'll fight sh,
OF the trail if they see anybody on it, anc