The Press., 1904-07-20

II
"Will you plug him on sight, SimY'
asked Keno Davis, in mild interest.
Il don't believe there'll be any shak-
ing hands," said Sim grimly, and we
glOried In the coming fight
Just before sunrise we came upon
them half way up Bald mountain. AS
we rounded corner of the trail gray
sOmbferO showed above the tangled
growth Of vines and ferns that clung
to tile top of the rocks. Sim put a
bullet through it neatly. The answer
laid Keno Davis out under the shade
of scrub pine, and we decided to rest
and DO battle scientifically, as Larry
had z clear eye and a mighty good
chance to take his pick of hostile
forcef While the rest of us engaged
his interest from the trail below the
rock, Sim took four others and started
on detour to reach point above.
1t was a good fight. There was no
yelling or ApaC ie war dancing. only
a steady, quiet interchange of compli-
ments that meant business, and grad
ually closing in around the rock.
We4knew Quita must be with him,
but whether she had tainted or been
bound we could not tell, until suddenly
clear, sharp cry rang out, and every
man lowered his gun at, the sound.
1t was cry for help. we believed,
and we sent back q shout that echoed
in long leaps up the deep ravines and
gulches. For an instant the firing
from the rock ceased, then began
again, faster than ever, but not SO
sure. All at once the voice of Sim
shouted from above.
For Gods sake, boys, quit firingp'
1t was hard to obey with victory so
near, and the bullets flying wild around
our leads from the hidden hand be-
hind the rock. But we stopped, they
did also, and we scrambled from ledge
to ledge up over the ragged, splintered
stones until the top was gained, and
we looked down on Larry and his cap
tive.
1t was strange sight. Back against
the rough, gray rocks stood Quita, her
eyes af1ame with reckless courage and
defiance. Larry's two revOlvers were
gripped, still smoking in her hands.
At her feet lay Larry, his white face
upturned to the dawning light and
dull. crimson stain soaking the right
side of his gray flannel shirt.
'.I'll shoot the first one that dares
to touch him!' called Qnita. You're
pack of cowartls to fc"Gw and hold
us up like this! What's he done?"
HE stole YOU
1t was Sim who answered her.
Quita turned on him like flash.
"IIe didn't steal me, Sim. l ran
away with Linn because I loved him,
and it seemed better to go at the last
moment than to marry you and love
him all the same. / thought girl
could choose the man she loved and
not have whole camp chase her and
shoot him down You don't play fair,
boysss z..
/ There was dead silence. Her eyes
were full of tears. and Happy Chance
hid it's head in shame. 1t is not pleas
ant to have Il gallant rescue knocked
In the head by the scorn of Il woman's
will.
But Sim stood without shame or an
ger and stared at the white, young
face at Quita's feet and at last with
out a word he went down end lifted
Larry in his arms and made his way
with him to the trail, and Quita fol
lowed slowly. @ -....a...
At Prospera we left the three, and
Sim never gave up his. guard until the
wound was healed, and Quita rode in
to camp beside her husband as Mrs.
Larry Carroll. .... a
There were no hard feelings AS
Larry said, no laws had been broken
but the law of the heart, and each
heart has law of it's own. -.+
But when it was all over Sim sold
out his mine to him and went back
over the mountains to the States. We
understood and did NOT blame him. 1t
is easier to save the life of the man
you hate than to stand by and see the
girl you love as Lis wife. . . ..