The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-04-08

and Bud went Off together TO hunt in
the woods. They Jest tuck hold OF
each others hands like
Il reckon there amt many crazier
than them two Bowldens. father and
son." interrupted n patron. wiping the
drops from his belrd as lie set his
glass on the bar. They rid into town
like couple OF wild Indians. the old
man beatin' thai gray mare o. theirn
till she was one big walt. and he amt
nateherly no cruel man either. ! ex-
pect Lige Willetts better keep out OF
Hartley's way"
Il keep out OF no mans wsyr' cried
q voice behind him. Turning. they saw
I.ige standing on the threshold OF the
door that led TO the street. In his hand
he held the bride OF the horse he had
ridden aGross the sidewalk and that
now stood painting. with lowered head
half through the doorway. beside his
master. Lge was hatless, splashed
with mud from head to foot; his jaw
was set. his teeth ground together. his
eyes burned under red lids, and his
hair lay tossed and damp on his brow.
Il keep out OF no mans way" lie re-
peated hoarsely. Il heard you, Mr..
Tibbs. but I've got too much TO do,
while you loaf and gas and drink over
lands bar. I've got other business
than keepIn' out OF Hart Bowlder's
way. I'm lookin for John Harklesss
He was the best man we had in this
ornery hole. and he was too good for
us. and so we've maybe let him get
killed. and maybe I'm TO blame. But
I'm goin' to find him. and II he's hurt
I'm goin' 10 have hand on the rope
that lifts the men that did II II i have
TO go to Rouen to put il there. After
that I'll answer for my fault. not be-
fore"
He threw himself on his horse and
was gone. Soon the room emptied. as
, the patrons of the bar returned to the
search, and only Mr.. Wilkerson and
| the landlord remained. the bar being
| the professional office. so 10 speak. of
\ both.
At IL o'clock Judge Briscoe dropped
wearily from his horse at his own gate
and said TO wan girl who came run
ming down the walk TO meet him:
| There is nothing yet. l sent the tel
| egram to your mother-to Mrs. Sher-
| wood
Helen turned away without answer
| ing. Her face was very white and
looked pinched about the mouth. She
| went back TO where old Fisbee sat on
| the porch his white head held between
his two hands. He was rocking him.
SELF to and fro She touched him gen
tly. but he did not look up. She spoke
TO him. Father" she said.
lie did not seem 70 hear her.
There isn't anything yet. He sent
the telegram. / shall stay with you
now. no matter what you say" She
sat beside him and put her head dowT
on his shoulder. and, though for a mo
ment he appeared not TO notice IT. wher
Minnie came out ON the porch, hearing
her father at the door. the old mar
had put his arm about the girl and wa.
stroking her fair hair softly.
| Briscoe glanced at them and raised
n warning finger TO his daughter, ant
they went tiptoeing into the house
whore the Judge dropped heavily upoI
sofa. Minnie stood before him Will
look OF pale inquiry, and he shool
his head.
mo use to tell him. but I can't SCI
any hope" he answered her. biting
nervously at the end OF a cigar. Il ex
pect you better bring me some coffe,
IN here. / couldn't take another steI
TO save me. I'm too old TO tear arount
the country horseback before break
fast, like I have today"
did you send her telegram Min
ME asked as he drank the coffee sh,
brought him. She had interpreted
coffee" literally and. with the assist
ance OF Mildly Upton, whose subdue
nose was frankly red and who she
tears ON the raspberries. had prepare
an appetizing table at his elbow.
YES" responded the judge. "and II
glad she sent ii. l talked the othe
way yesterday, what little I said
isn't any Of our business-but l don
think any too much OF those peopl
somehow. She thinks she belongs wit
Fisbee, and | guess she's right. Ths
young fellow must have got alon
with her pretty well, and I'm afrai
when she gives up she'll be pretty ba
over II: but l guess we all will. 1t
| terribly sudden. somehow. though IL
only what everybody half expecte
would come, only we thought it woul
come from over yonder," lie nodde
, toward the west But she's got to sta
here With us, Boarding at Tibbs' viii
that old man won't do. and she's 1
girl to live In two rooms. You fix
up with her-you make her stay"
: "Slie must" answered his daught,
u rs she kuelt beside him and patted h
=. coat and handed him several thin
TO eat At the same time MIR. Fisb'
win help me persuade her. now tn
n { e 9
Il -S % III