Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-04-02

It's goin to seem mighty empt,
around here" said Ross Scbofield
WHAT'S goin' to become o. the Hera,,
ana the party in this district? Where,
the man to run either of 'em now
Like as not" he continued desper.telv
II III go against us in the fall
Dioo zane choked over his four fin
gers. we nights well bust up TN,
dao busted ole town eff he's gone"
don't know what's come over tho,
Cynthy Tipworthy," said the landIor,
shes waited table on him last 1--WE
years, and her brother Bud works n,
the Herald office. She didn't say /,
word, only looked and looked and
looked. like crazy woman: then ber
ana Bud went off together to hunt in
the woods. They jest tuck hold of
each others hands like
Il reckon there amt MANY craz;or
than them two BowIders, father and
son. interrupted patron. wiping the
drops from his beard as he set his
glass on the bar. ''They rid into town
IKE couple OF wild Indians. the old
man beaun' that gray mare o. theirn
tlli she was one big walt. and he ain't
natcherly no cruel man either. I ex-
pect Lige Willetts better keep out of
Hartley's way"
Il keep out of no mans wayv, cried
voice behind him. Turning. they saw
Lige standing on the threshold of tho
door that led to the street. In his hand
he held the bride of the horse he had
ridden across the sidewalk and th:,
now stood painting, with lowered head
half through the doorway, beside his
master. Lige was hatless. splashed
with mud from head to foot: his law
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" he re-
peated hoarsely. Il heard you. Mr..
I1bbS. 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 lool>in' for John Harkless.
lie 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 If he's hurt
I'm goin' to have hand on the rope
that lifts the men that did il if 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 emr tied. rs
the patrons of the bar returned to the
search, and only Mr.. Wilkerson and
the landlord remained. the bar being
the professional Office. so TO speak. of
both.
At IL O'Clock Judge Briscoc dropped
wcarily 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 mothcr-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 Fisbce sat on
the porch, his white head held between
his two hands. He was rocking him
self 10 and fro. She touched him gen
tly, but he did not look up. She spoke
TO him. Father" she said.
He did not seem Ia hear her.
There isn't anything yet. He sen,
the telegram. shall stay with you
now. no mater what you say" She
sat beside him and put her head down
on his shoulder. and, though for a mo-
mcnt he appeared not 10 notice il. when
Minnie came out on the porch, hearing
her father Mt the door, the old man
had put his arm about the girl and was
stroking her fair hair softly.
Briscoe glanced ut them and raised
n warning finger TO his Daughter. and
they went tiptoeing into the house.
where the Judge dropped heavily upon
a sofa. Minnie stood before him with
a look of pale inquiry. and he shook
his head.
''No use to tell him. but I can't see
any hope" he answered her, biting
nervously at the end of a cigar. II ex.
pect you better bring me some coffee
IN here. couldn't take another step
TO save me. I'm too old to tear around
the country horseback before break
fast. Ike have today"
did you send her telegramy'' Min.
ME asked as he drank the coffee she
brought him. She had interpreted
coffee" literally and. with the assist
ance of Mildly Upton, whose subdued
nose was frankly red and who shed
tears on the raspbcrries, had prepared
an appetiZinS table ut his elbow.
Yes" responded the judge. land I'm
glad she sent it. | talked the other
way yesterday. what little | said-it
Isn't any of our business-but | don't
think any too much of those people
She thinks she belongs with
FiSbee, and | guess she's right That
young fellow must have got along
with her pretty well, and I'm afraid
when she gives UP she'll be pretty bad
over it; but | guess we all Will Its
terribly sudden, somehow. though it's
only what everybody half expected
would come, only we thought il would
come from over yonder." He nodded
toward the west. 'But she's got to stay
here with us. Boarding at TibbS' with
that old man won't DO and she's no
girl to live in two rooms You fix it
up with her-you make her stay"