The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-09-09
TWO STRONG MEN.
BY EDGAR WHITE.

Tn the dungeon or Juare1 ptieon human animal crouched against the high stone ledge and sucked in tnrousn steel bars the hot Mexican air. TWO l men. who had a corner all to them selves. looked furtiveIy at the small window, where the other lay. and pitied him.
 Lonesome Jake has made his last | getaway" said one. "But hell do the air dance' like a white man." returned the other. They say he wouldn't let none O them Greaser lawyers make a spiei TOT him before the alcalde.'
 There's an American lawyer. here. heard"
 "Balfour? He's the man Jake was gunnin' for when feller hit his shoot 1 in arm and sent the ball through that daro muteIeer's head. Sides, which Baifour's prosecutor down here now, and 'tain't likely he'll let the chance go by"
 whats between 'em?'' "Jake's got a sister" The lock on the dungeon door grated | harshiy, there was a rattle of chains and two men entered. One was the jailer, carrying a candle, and the other was a medium sized. strongly-built man of se. There's your man, Senor Balfour." l said the jailor, indicating the form against the window, but he won't talk | to you"
 Think not?" returned his companion. 1 easily. Suppose you lock the door. Jose. and call for me when the bells l ring"
 "oh. well." exclaimed the jailer. in- patiently, If one wants to risk lion alone, it Is nobody's business. But if something happens, what shall say l to the governorr
 The visitor wrote hastily few words on the back of his card, and handed 1t to the man with the keys.
 will you want the candieT' said the Jaiier.
 "If you please"
 Jose glanced warily at the huge form at the far end of the cell, as he placed the candle on A niche in the stone wall. Then he withdrew, making ali fast as he passed out.
 The man was alone with the giant, locked in good and tight. Balfour picked up a stool, sat down and tilted 1t against the wall. Then he lit a cigar and began smoking. Have a cigar?" he asked, good naturedly.
 There was no response from the cruching figure. Balfour smoked in silence. flaming himself with his straw hat
 internally hot in here, eh, Jake?"
 He might as well have addressed the stones. But there was no trace of an- noyance on the visitors face. He acted as if the Ignoring of his pres | ence were an entire matter of course. Balfour's quiet gray eyes travelled casually around the cell and rested on his unsocial companion. He appeared to have unlimited time to arouse the sleeping lion In his own peculiar way. After a full ten-minutes' silence, he remarked, as if an idea had just e. cured: ..-.. .. ..-. By the w1y. Jake. I've been up to Santa Fe this week"
 The news did not seem to interest Jake in the slightest So Balfour added | to #:
 T saw Margaret" | At this there was a movement of the giant bulk at the window. and the hard. frozen face was turned to the visitor
 "D- you, Balfour!" he said harsh ly what's your game here7"
 "Just a friendly visit, for the sake of old acquaintance. Jake" returned the other. easily Then after pause he added, as he knocked the ashes off his cigar: z-- -.
 She don't know you're here"
 Like a flash the prisoner slipped l from lnS IcuBt anu hO" thp man. he supposed had come to torment him. He was twice the size of Bal four and could have torn him to pieces as a mastiff would a hare. But Bal four seemed to be expecting just what was happening. Tn a second his easy, careless manner was discarded, he jumped across the cot and leveled a re- volver at his formidable enemy.
 Don't do 1t, Jake" he said. coolly; l I'll tell you something you want to know"
 'If you mention her name again. panted the giant. "I'll tear out every bone in your body"
 "slt down, Jake" said Balfour. You're worried over nothing. come to do you a good turn"
 The easy manner came back to Bal four, and he replaced his pistol.
 T wouldn't accept life at your hands" said the prisoner.
 No, I suppose not. but I'm going to give 1t to you. just the same When your case is called next week I'm go- | ing to dismiss 1t. You didn't mean to kill the Dago.
 Lonesome Jako looked stupidly at the nonchalant man on the edge of the cot. who had relit his cigar and was smoking as contentedly as If there was no such thing as trouble in the world.
 You're going to dismiss!" eJacu- lated the giant. scornfully, "and who the deuce are you?' | Nobody much. Jake" said Balfour, just the public prosecutor here, now; that's all"
 At this the prisoner stared again. For an instant his face lit up eagerly at the assurance of liberty from an au- thoritative source; then the old dark suspicion of this man returned, and a a hard look settled on the strong features
 q hate you. Balfour." he said freely.
 "Yes. I presume so." said Balfour. a trife sadly, T don't blame you
 You lied to that little girl!'
 Balfour looked up with an eager light in his gray eyes.
 But, see here. Jake"
 "I say you did" the big man thun- dered.
 Have 1t your ow nway. Jake: but I'm not lying to you, now"
 What are you here for? Want me to confess that shot at you and tried to kill you? I'll do that, and sign a dozen statements of the sort. And I'll also swear before any notary in the land that I'll kill you on sight if I ever get out of this"
 The prisoner walked up and down the cell believing out his hate like a mad dened tiger. His great body quivered with the violence of his rage. The narrow eye flashed oninousiy and thu hands worked as if threatening t'