The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-03-05


away persisted Sanford
I'm afraid you can't find any boss ia
MS town tonight.
Who be you. stranger" asked an
other.
Pm railroad man. and work for thu
FL Paso road that Is building the bridge
over the Washita, and I'm on important
business, and must get To Anadarko az
soon as possible answered Sanford
promptly, realizing that an introduction
of some sort is necessary In a doubling
neighborhood.
'sOh. see said the man. know
anyone over there?''
Sanford reflected, but he could remenl-
Der none. Suddenly he thought of Frank
DOMAIN
! I'm going over to meet a friend OF
mine named Frank DOMAIN, he said.
do you happen TO know him?
Know him: You bet we know him.
How long have you known Frank?
.iOn, about twenty years.
'Wen, if you've known him twenty
years and want to see him, / reckon
you're ali right. because when fellerz
amt all right they don't generally want
to sec him. Step up town and I'll seq
what we can do for you. But So stran-
ger, this is a bad night for suen u ride.
Know how far it is?''
NO I DON'T answered Sanford.
/ ..Wcli. it's right smart of thirty mile,
| and it's been raining hard that the
roads soft said the frieEdIy man,
trudging along beside him in the mud.
| Cant help that" Sanford said, draw
| ing his coat closer around him. for the
rain was forcing itself through his thin
clothing until his skin was wet. Can't
| help it; I've got to get there by morn
| ing.
| IL he waited for the stage he would not
reach his destination before the follow
| ing afternoon, but If his horse held out
ne might arrive there in the morning.
Presently Sanford and ms companion
reached a one-story frame house with
| 4 square front. that gave it the appear
ance Of being two stories high. Light
streamed from the windows into the
| dismal night.
This is the Eagle Hotel" said San
ford's guide "Praps the boss can let
you have a boss. He owns the livery
| barn
As they entered the hotel sleepy
man came forward. Sanford briefly told
| him what he wanted and his new found
friend spoke in his behalf
81 don't know" said the man, scratch
ing his froWsy head with an air Of hes
itancy L jest nacherIy hate to send
a critter Of mine out a night like this
eff the horse is injured III pay for
him. urged Sanford, But III preTE1ise
/ to take as good care of him as if I
| owned him.
WELL said the landlord at last, *
guess I'll have TO let you have him..
Then he called a stabIeman. and in a
few minutes the horse stood BEFORE the
door
ITS a bad night to travel" said Sam
ford's new friend You'll get soaked
before you go mile Here. take my
siicker You can bring it back some
day"
And he took off the long yellow rain
coat that he wore, and helped Sanford
put it on.
well, So long he said. holding oat
his hand. Look out for the Washita.
She's likely riz, with all this rain. Don't
try TO cross her until you get to Ana
darko. There's a good ford there. If the
water amt too high
Sanford shook the hand Of his new
friend warmly, and thanked him. He
climbed into the saddle, and arranged
the slicker in such a manner that II
would shed the water from MS legs. and
set off into the darkness
: Give the pony his head shouted the
: landlord He knows the road. and will
carry you through all right
$ The road was heavy with mud, and
l Sanford did not urge the pony out OF
the gentle fope it chose to take. He also
: was too tired for any vigorous action.
The experience of the past two days
e had told on him. and soon he was dog
ing in his saddle.
1t was not long before he fell INTO 9
: profound sleep. Iulied by the soft GRIP
: / Of the rain and the coy, rocking nIo-
. ton of the pony, which patiently loped
I along on the sod by the roadside
4 Sanford was awakened and almost
|. | shaken from the saddle by the sudden
t swervins of the pony, which shorted
: with fear. In an instant he was wide
: awake, and ne brought the amman Il .
e standstiu. holding him with a firm rein.
: ..xvbat is II. old felIow?'' ne said.
: es,ressfngIv. meanwhile reaching beneath
t tt. sIicl-er for the revolver he carried
p In his coat pocket
o He peered into the darkness, but
Ecot,Id distinguish nothing. The rain had
e ceased falling. and there was faint
l. light in the sky. relieving the dead
o blackness but slightly
: He heard a low laugh s.ort distance
Z In front of him; then a pony neighed.
: and his own replied.
As his eyes became accustomed TO the
t darkness he made out several men on
= horseback family outlined against ths
Il western sky.
n who's there?" he called.
+ who are your a voice replied.
Ride up. stranger. and lets have a
look at you We're friends, reckon. :"
Sanford shock his reins and the pony
It advanced slowly
e Soon he was in the center of d little
band of horsemen. who closed in on hin.
s He could make out that they were
: seven in number
n Whats your name?' asked one. who
1t appeared 10 be the leader. Were look
ing for Pilgrim who is supposed 10
L be on the road from Chickasha.
n well, l fancy you are mistaken re-
piled Sanford. open up and let me
q through. I'm in somewhat of d hurry. y
d AT this moment one OF the men struck
Ii ]. -,