The Washington times., 1904-12-25
CHAPTER ".
The Sherif's Trick.

The village of HubbickS was RAM
bling collection of houses, none OF which
was very artistic. but which sufficed
for the hardy pioneers and miners who
had made the place.
| The best house IN the town was that
| of Judge Gordon
The Judge himself was of that rugged.
noble type that has done go much to pI't
down lawIessness in the border towns,
and carry the justice of civilization to
the frontier.
| AS justice of the peace he was rec
ognized power for good in Hubbicks.
a.sd not only In Hubbicks, but in Nc
Cassatt and other large towns as well
| In his work he had the assistance Of
Sheriff Gavin, himself OF a lower order
than Gordon. but with a fearlessneGs
| that made him moro famous than his
otner attributes.
! When Nellie Hubbick was visiting her
friend, Alice Gordon, the judge was at
McCassatt on business He was storm
| stayed. and had not reached home when
the snow ceased falling and the spring
sun began at once to attack the drifts
- am so anxious about Nellie said
Ance to her mother 1T was so foolish
of her to start with the storm SO near.
fear she has been overcome by II"
1.-THE Hubbick farm Is go remote, .
said Mrs Gordon. that we would MOI
be likely TO hear for some time. Some
! one ought to get out there as soon as
possible and see if they are all right
/ Papa would go if he were home,
said Alice. But he will not be here for
some days yet. I wonder If the sheriff
would go. He thinks great deal OF
| Nellie"
|
| "Yes. Sheriff Gavin thinks great deal
Of Nellie. He thinks more of her than
is pleasing to your father. In thci1
official relations the squire and sheriff
manage to get along very wei. but ]
know your father does not think Gavin
just the man he should be. 1 have heard
him speak disparagingly of Gavin's at
tachment for Nellie"
f'But even So" said Alice with q
laugh. Gavin is brave. and I suppose
good enough to go out and see If Nellie
arrived safely"
II should say he was just the one.
replied Mrs. Gordon. But we need noI
stir the matter He is coming now
Sheriff Gavin was distinctly a border
type. His heavy jaw, tobacco-stainec
mustache. his quick. cold eye, bespol1.
: the man of easy habits but energetic ac
ton
AS he entered the house his glanc,
went round inquiringly.
81 had to go up the road after cha,
that stole a horse from Neckitt" h,
said, '-or l would have called sooner.
knew that Nellie Hubbick was thinkin;
| OF going home the same day we hat
: that storm. 1t almost proved too mucl
for me and my tough brute OF a horse
hope she did not CO..
, But she did CO." said Alice, -'and w,
, were just saying that some one witt
strength and courage ought to get ou
: TO the farm and see If Nellie reache.
: home safely"
II reckon I've got the nerve and tn
: muscle" said Gavin. IT will go. 1T
ionly the drifts that make 1t so bad
E II do hope you will find Nellie safe,
5 said Mrs. Gordon.
'I hope SO. myself, God knows" re
Joined the sheriff with energy.
: He was distinctly anxious. and los
no time
: The drifts that would have SCENE
impossible to an ordinary man were no
so TO Gavin. With a fresh and power
full horse. he set out. OF course, travel
| ing with the sun shining was far differ
! ent from breasting the awful storm.