Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1903-10-09


trouble.
"No." she said aloud. as she took
her checked apron from it's hook. mo.
I'm not sorry-rm glad, IL my Jem-
my VII live out here. why. IN live
here. too. What's house and treo
or so 10 ones very own childr
The door behind her crcaked. She
turned quickly. looked into the barrel
or leveled revolver. and heard
stern voice order. "Rc quiet, I'm dead
beat. and | want grub. savez?"
Her eyes Travelled from the shining
weapon pointed At her head to tho man
behind IT, He was tall and handsome.
win square jaw. n grim mouth n
thin nose. with wide nostrils. and
pair or reckless eyes. shaded by a
brown sombrero heavy with silver or
naments. From underneath the cor
geous Mexican hat strayed golden au-
burn hair. babyishly soft and nne.
Slowly the woman's face fixed itself in
widening stare. questioning. terri-
fed
Yes, I'm Rod Jack" he went on.
but. for all that, soaring women Isn't
my business. | won't hurt you. moth
er. Just give poor hunted man a
decent meal. will yor? You sec.
measly. lantern jawed set OF cusses
arc after me cause they didn't know
how 10 play the national game" There
was wearied attempt at levity in his
voice.
Her eyes looked into his. Teddy
she gasped. "Oh. little hoy Teddy
The man lowered his gun. well.
I'll be hanged"
The words drove homo like n knife
thrust.
"Oh. my Cod they shan't hang yer.
Teddy oh. run-run-they mustn't
get yer, They're after yer. they arc
go now, and you can make tho hor.
der oh. to find you like this-and
they n hunting Of yer!"
With sudden loving moment OF his
huge arms he folded tho little old
woman 10 his breast.
With sohs and tears she clunR 70
him. murumuring his namo between
choking gasps.
GO. you must gov' she repeated
while her witbered hands clung &c
him even closer
mo. I amt goin'." he said softly,
mot for n while. mother-no. YOU
needn't tell me | gotter. II amt
seen yer fer years an years. and I'm
| just dead beat"
The confession Of his Immediate mood
gave her strength. steadicd her fail
Ing nerves. Swiftly she set before
him 'hc hCet sho could provide. paus
Ing ." '"uch him with soft. caressine
wo~'~r. Huge shy. awkward he &c
cepted her authorizations. wistful
yearning p'or0ing his old reckless
manner. making him only an over
grown boy again. She huttered about
him. pant'rp With happiness I'm his re
covcry trembling with agonizod up
prehension at his danger.
| And v"u'W never play in those
dreadful n'"""s arnin. viii Won. Ted?"
she l'"~"od 'ol the hundredth time
and Tor the hrndrodth time ho ravo
her HIS r~-''''~N You'll got ND into
Mexico ard take rn ranch and live
puiot. won't Won. Tcd?"
"Yos 7 VIII
"And I'll como To yer Jenny don't
mood mo hero"
"1'll TAX" care Of vcr. mother"
You rot money have yor?"
Tie smiled whimsIcally. shaping nj
his heavy holt II rather guess that
amt no trouble"
"Ain't there nothing can do 10
heinz" she begged
"Can 7 get n horse? I'll leave yer
roppy-she isn't safe for mo: she's
known"
Yes. yes" she quavercd. all her
terrors aroused now Yes. take lem.
my's Pinto. Hos In the corral hack
Of the horSc-here's the saddle. oh
Teddy, thcv're To draw a big circle
and thcy think you're IN run to Men.
dez-a girl-a woman there has prom.
ised 10 give YOU upv'
''Whatw The tender boyish lool,
fed from his fpce, with cvery trace
OF color lie was on bis feet. trem
bling with anger Whats that
what's that YOU say?-she said shed
give me upr' Tie seized her almost
roughly. 'Its lie. It's n lie!-say
It's n lier'
The tears poured down her checks
'Its true--as God sees me. IT'S true
Go across the border. Teddy-go
straight. I'll make yer every day the
little biscuits yer ulster like so muchr
The pathetic voice penetrated ever
HIS rage and pain. with n fierce
shake Of his shoulders he cast tho
thought of the other woman from him
Mother, II IL wasn't for you I'd &c
straight there and I'd shoot the whole
outfit. and be shot myself But
amt such bad lot GOodby-no. dom
owe It to spare you what ! can. TT
60" He turned 10 her again. all tend
erness. when ! can make a place
for you. you'll come, won't your
amt such a bad lot. Goodby-no. dom
come out--Iip get the horse-watcf
from here, II trouble comes. shoutv'
He was gone. She stood bewlideret
. In tae room, murmuring incoheren
loving words Mechanically she pray
ed for his safety. Soon even petitions
died upon her lips. Crossing to the
doorway she looked out anxiously al
she heard him ride away. No sign o
human occupation In all the wide
horizon. She seated herself I'm The
narrow shade of the long red tiles