The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-07

gurgling over-note of a triumphant
child.
Cheyenne Harry Strengthened from
his lounging position at the girls left,
slipped his arm about her waist, and
kissed her full upon the lips.
The room suddenly became very still
Peter could be heard scratching his
neck with stiffened hind leg behind the
stove. Graham half started from his
seat, but sank back as he saw the girls
race Mike never stirred or missed
puff on his short pipe.
The girl paled little, and, putting
her hands behind her, slid carefully of
the edge of the bar to the floor. Then
she walked with quick firm steps to
the offender and slapped him vigor-
ously first on one side of the head.
then on the other. He raised his ell
bows to defend his ears, whereupon she
reached swiftly forward under his arm
and slipped his pistol from its open
holster; after which she retreated slow
~ backward, holding both hands ne
hind her. Cheyenne Harry turned red
| and white, and looked about him help
lessly.
You amt big enough to have
gum" she said, with scorn. when you
get man enough to tell me you're sor-
ry, I'll give it back
She crossed the room toward the
| by the trigger guard.
l reckon I'll go now" she said simply.
She passed through the door to the
| canvas-coYered schooner outside.
A GREATNESS but momentary silence
was broken by Cheyenne Harry.
Il know it, boys, 1 know it," he
| protested. Don't say a word. Frosty,
trot out the nose paint"
Billy was Tuning.
H of way to dol" he muttered.
Mice hospitable way to welkim a
lady! Lovely idee she gets of this
camp"
Harry turned on him slowly. Whats
| it to yuh?' he asked Inadvertently
What's it to yuh, Ell? want to know!
| Who let you in this, anyway"
| He thrust his head forward at Billy.
For the love of Peter the Hermit.
shut up, you fellowsl' cried Jack Ora
| ham. Don't make everlasting fools
of yourselves. That girl can take care
Of herself without any of your help,
| Billy; and it served you dead right,
| Harry, and you know it,"
That's right, Billy" said several.
Harry growled sulkily in his glass;
Amt 1 KNOWN it?" he objected.
Amt I payin' fer this drink because
| know it? But l amt goin' t. have
any ranikaboo hit like Billy Knapp
rubin it in"
| Billy didn't mean to rub 1t in" said
Jack Graham, $50 shake hands and let
up"
The threatened quarrel was averted,
and the men drank on Harry Then
Mike set up the drinks to the further
| ance of their friendly relations. They
| talked to Mike at length inquiring his
| plans, approving his sense in choosing
| Copper Creek as a residence, congratu-
lating him on his daughter, commend
inc hnN~ GfNF u
| make the Little Nugget their evening
headquarters. They replied with en-
thusiasm that they would. Mike made
| himself agreeable in quiet way with
| out saying much. Everybody was
stuck" on him-everybody but Harry.
| Harry sulked over Billy's insults. His
sullen mood had returned. Finally,
late in the evening, he pushed his chair
back abrutly and went up to the bar
I'm goin'," he announced. Give me
that bottle
He poured himself a stiff drink,
which he absorbed at a toss of the
wrist. and turned away.
Mr.. Mortimer" called Frosty, did
you pay for this?"
Chalk it down to me-" called Harry.
without looking back.
Frosty caught the snake eye of his
proprietor fixed upon him. He twisted
his feet in terror beneath the bar. TITS
agin the rules" Re called at last, weak
ly, just as Harry reached the door.
The latter turned in heavy surprise.
Then he walked deliberately back to
the bar, on which he leaned his ell
bows.
Look yere" he said, truculently
'ain't 1 good fer that?"
why, yes, 1 reckon So" cried poor
Frosty in an agony. But it's again
the rules
Rules. rules" sneered Harry. Since
when air you runnin' this joint on
rules? Amt you chalked drinks I'D
to me before? Amt you? Answer
me that. Amt your"
But it's different now" objected
Nudge.
Different. is it Well, you chalk
that drink up to me as 1 tell yuh, or
go plumb to tn devil for the pay
And don't you bother me no more, or
I'll have to be harsh to yuhi" Harry
loved to bully, and he was working off
his irritation. The men in the room
stood silent. Harry liked an audience
He went on: "Ill shoot up yore old
rat joint yere till you amt got glass
enough left to mend your wall eye, you
white-headed little varmint'
Lafond had come softly to the end
of the bar. Nav" he interrupted
quietly, you are not shooting up any
thing"
Harry turned slowly to him and
spread his legs apart. And did you
address me, sir?" he begged with mock
politeness. Would you be so p'lite as
to repeat yore remarks ?"
You are not shooting up anything"
reiterated Mike, land It is you who will
settle for this drink. Behold the sign
which you have read!"
Harry turned to the room wide eyed
did you hear the nerve of it ?" he in
quired. "Tellin me what Til do! You
d little Greaser," he cried, in sud
den fury. "I'H show you whether I'm
shootin' up anythinI"
He reached for his gun remembered
on the instant that his holster was
empty, and sprang for Lafond. The
half-breed calmly lifted whisky glass,
near which he had taken the precau-
ton to stand. and stopped it's contents
full in the others eye. Harry, blinded,
struck against the corner of the bar.
Mike slipped to one side and produced
his revolver.
Several sprang between the two men.
The room was in an uproar. Peter
barked claimant, frantic. Everybody
ground the faro dealer ceased shut
fling his cards. and began imperturba-
bly,, indifferently, to pack together his
layout. He had made little that night.
After a moment he went out, without
a glance toward the excited group
The men were forcing the blinded
and raving Harry toward the door.
Mike leaned over the bar, watching
with bright eyes, his arms folded
| across his chest and the pistol barrel
peeping over the crook of one elbow.