The Washington times., 1904-12-25

i AS the sheriff journeyed onward he
smiled and thought of the sweet face of
! Nellie Hubbick, and the nice things he
was going to say to her when he
Preached thesfarnn-
/ Its a durn shame he told himself.
for Hubbicl5 to. keep the girl out so
fur from town. Hes a mean cuss, any
way. Hubbick is, but his money gives
him standing. Now, if Nellie was less
less cold-I'd make better headway. Its
! a thing worth working fur, to get Mel
lie Hubbick fur a wife and old man
| Hubbick's money
i. Musing thus. he houndered through
drifts, cursed at the deepest laughed at
! the lowest, and Kicked his horse TO ex-
ertions that almost broke its wind
Finally the low gables OF the farm
IholiseA were Before hird. He reined In and
Hooked at the house and sheds
L Seems kinder dead-like fur Hubbick,
/ he said wonder he amt out with
his wife and Nellie shoyeling paths.
Hello, There's one of his men IN now.
" ender how that is Huhbicken never
had a man to do chores When he hires
men they are off with the herds.
He sat a moment longer watching the
staIwart form that went from ore shed
to another, intent ON the duties or the
place. Then a low whistle escaped him,
as Nellie, clad in her long cloak,
walked from the house,
| The girl and the man stood together
Ifor time in earnest conversat ton, and
/ ii. was evident that the man was more
than a mere herdsman
..I am about finished here, Cayrigne
Twas saying Then, when we have din
ner Tn going to ride to Huobicks. 1
can get through now, and II IS nlsh
time something was done Is there an
undertaken there?
II don't know of one. Such things
are rudely done out here A carpenter
can make the coffins. end most OF the
settlers are buried without much cere-
nonv or expense. Mr.. Hubbick had
plenty of money.
There's plenty in the bag" said Cay
right.
As they talked, the girl but her hand
! on Cayright.s arm and said;
.I want to thank you again You
| have been so kind to me in this
trouble
Cayrigat caught the hand and kissed
it.
by the great gods.' exclaimed the
sheriff as he saw the action- Neiiie
Hubhick with a lover, I'll settle that.
1
and the man who comes between us VIII
have a job of it. IN just take little
time to get ahead of them
dark scowI was on his face as ne
hurried TO the house
. Gavin knew the premises We'll he
knew that Hubbick used the front door
: CT his house but little.
He rode straight TO the shed in the
rear A glance showed the man and
I girl. their heads Just visible over q
drift. as Gavin 1eaped from his horse
| and entered the house.
d Queer I don't see Hubbick or his
wife" he said. Cad Can 1t be they
are away. and Nellie has seized the op-
lportunity to have a lover visit her?''
He saw the saddiebags in the shed
The horses had been taken to the barn
Must have come in the Storm NUT
i tered Gavin. Wonder where she met
h him.
d Gavin strode through the kitchen, and
@ noted the table set for two
"But Hubbick and his wife must be
It away" he said. Something wrong
here I don't like the looks of this
l. Nellie is good girl. I'll stop this busl
II ness. Hubbick surely don't know it,
8, A spot on the sitting room carpet
o caught the sheriff's eye.
Hello. What's UP here.'
: With a quick, nervous action. hs
3. opened the door to the bedroom, ant
recoiled with an expression of horror.
Dead, by Godr' he said And Mel
II lie witt her Ioveri What devIish 7vo-l
X Is this?"
IS The sheriff looked to it that his revolv
Is er was loaded and ready for business
He stepped to the shed and examines
,r the saddles
t That's Nellie's.' he said. WHO own
l. this other2 Didn't come from Hubbicks
n Looks like one of those surveyor fellers
g Hello. What's-what the devil!''
6 The bag of gold was in his hand. II
ID zt.ood almost stunned by the discovery
h Going TO elope together and take tn
T. swag with them, by God.' he said. .
just struck here in the nick of time
- Wonder what the good and holy Mrs
5f Gordon will think when she hears thi
le of her favorte and her daughter
IS friend Gordon seems to think I'm to
rough sort fur her But, by the jung
- in Jimmy, she's lew enough now Rur
Or min of with lover after-no, Nelll
If couldn't have done the KILN Sh
Of wouldn't hurt a kitten. That rascal ha
done 1t. But how did he get the girl I
think so much of Kim. It's heil.''
al He mopped his brow as if 1t really wa
IN and put tho bag of gold on the table
IT @.Itu be sort of surprise to EN-" h
ff said, ito find they have the sheriff as
/ guest to dinner. What'H L do now? G
In out an take him where he is? Let
rd think it out
t. He made sure that the two were out
side and then he sat down to study til
problem
Sc This thing puts Nellie right in n,
lie power" he said with chuckle. ISL
can squirm all she durn pleases nov
;" I've got her. She must marry me- 81
OF LET'S see how we kin work it so as no. I
have her known as a partner in tt
er crime.
ed II kin take the felier, whoever he !
1e an lug him back to Hubbicks. Bl
C. what'n l do with Nellie? 1 don't like
arrest her. It'd turn her from m
ce when / want 20 win her love Hubble
left a lot O. money. an 1 want it.
sp Seems AS If the best thing to do wou
he be to shoot the galoot. and tell the boy
7 I had to do II in fight. But then Ne