Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1904-06-24

''-' ''f'' - - F0|' 'h'A's
Jack took a sudden resolve. Half
way between them a lane branched off
to Farlow's. and for this both were
heading-the Singer blissfully uncon-
scious Of impending trouble. Jack
struck his spurs deep, and Flake. tired
as he was, darted forward at n run.
Two rods before the other he stopped
AT the lane. half hidden in a swirl of
dust thrown up by Flakes hoofs.
The Singer fiashc! up in his borrowed
fincry and stared.
"Hello,' greeted Jack, with ominous
chcerfulnpss.
"Hello,' responded the Singer, blank
ly, and then involuntarily, Il thought
YOU was at the reservation"
Jack grinncd. Il know yuh did" he
said, grimly, but cowpunchcrs aint in
the habit of CROWN fast = one spot.
I'm here now. That's n fine layout
you're drivin'-it's a wonder old Sim
d stake yuh to it. How'd yuh manage
{ work him for it,
give dollars looked good T. the old
d%evil-that's how" The Singer gath
cred up the rcins, SUCCESSFULLY. but
Flake became surprisingly restless
for a horse that had done his 60 miles
| under a broiling sun; he circicd back
ward until he barred the way, and his
master gave no apparent heed. tnorgh
it is possible Flaxie thought different.
Jack took "A cigarette boo, from his
pocket, and leisurcly extracted a leaf,
and the Singer, Tuning inwardly at
the delay, said, smoothly: "iOu'r" in
for the dancc. of course; yuh must
have rode hard + make it,"
"That'3 what" assentcd Jack.
"Whorc r You bound Tor? This ain
the road t. piisrocn's."
The Singer grew first red, then de-
Nant. I'm going TO take Miss Farlpw,"
he said, ~challeneinely.
"fuh dead sure Of that Jack calmly
licked his cigarette into shape.
shes lookin' for me r,ght now"
rctOrtcd tho other.
Shell look "a long time then" Jack
pinchcd ont the blaze of his match
and drew a long luxurious Whit of
smoke into his lungs and ont his
nostrils. His very dcliberation ncar
maddpnod the Singer.
Il don't know as she'll have t look
more than 80 minutes or So" The
Singer reached for the whip, but Jack
whirlcd square across the road.
Cit out o my way, damn YOU"
shouted the Singer, throwing caution
to the winds.
"Not on your lifc," Jacks heavy
liddeh eyes plimmered with reckless
enjoyment. II hate T. be making any
g%un-play, but you aint travelling this
lane t'-ni@ht-I tell yuh those"
The Singer, his eyes on Jacks big As,
iumbled tho whip into its socket. IF
I'd "A know I'd meet n coyote on the
road, I'd a brought my gun" he nccred.
For answer Jack displayed n mouth
FIJI OF excellent teeth, and the Singer,
mindful Of the others popularity of
disposition-in that smiles frequently
spelled dangcr-ndgct"d in the seat,
mt was silent.
"Ain't them horses gittin' kinda rest
less standin'?' quoricd Jack, suggcs-
lively, after two minutes Of cying each
other.
None Of yer damn husinoss," snap
ped the other. "l'm driving EN-"
"Gce! Yuh dou't apDcarH' be maxim
much Roadway. Whats the matter
with turnin' round and tryin' 1t in the
other dircctlOn?"
eco T. hell" snOrtod the Singrr-and
in his voice there was no melody.
Cant. I'm due at 'arlow's. Sec
in you aint IN no hurry, ri just try
a shot or two-fcr luck." Jack raised
his grn deliberately. "Oh. ! aint go
ing { kill yuh"-as the Singer ducked
there aint any bounty on such vGr-
mints- more's the pity, I'll just take
off an ear { remember the day by; the
left one, | ~Cucs8-that stands out a
little further n The oiher-they both
make pretty good handles"
what do yuh want IN" t. dO?" asked
the Singer, sulIcnly, admitting his de
feat.
Il want yuh { turn around and git
ont Of this lane, that's what. Yuh
better not be long ADDING 1t, neither"
The Singer suddenly took heart. III
''hd' al, ! - I "lHH HHIi'iiHS yum
! guess ! en- get T. farlow's by cutting
across" Once more he gathered up
the relns and prepared 10 start.
Jack looked sharply out from the
shelter Of his gray hat-brim. Heas-
sured of something, he laughed. Sure
thing. II you want t go bad enough
{ cut across. | won't stop yuh. It's
rough travelling. though; ! couldn't
.l,ip. ,,J - ., Tho, maui