The Red Cloud chief., 1905-03-24

ANottitb u Jun ihttt was HUI ~
sign.
The bar OF the hotel was throngcd
all morning as the returning citizens
rapidly made their way thither, and
those who had brcakfastcd and were
going out again paused for internal as
well as external reinforcement. The
landlord, himself returned from n long
hunt, set out his whisky with a lavish
hand.
Gle was the best man we had, boys"
said Lands ny he poured the littlc
glasses full. "Wc'd ort of sent him to
the legislative halls of Washington
long ago. He'd of done us honor there.
But we never thought OF dom any
thing fer him. Jest set round and left
him build up the town and give him
empty ~thankyes. Drink hearty, gem
tlcmcn," he finished gloomily. IL don't
grudgc no liquor today-eXccpt To Ligc
Willctts."
"lIc was II good man. said young
William Todd, whose nose was red, not
from the whisky. "Tve about give
up"
ITS goin' to seem mighty empty
around here" said Ross Schofcld.
whats goin' to become o. the Herald
I'M the party In this district? Where's
the man to run either Of 'cm nov?
Like as not" he continued desperately.
It'll 20 against us I'm the fall"
Dbl Zane chokcd over his -four fin
gers. 1--WE nights well bust up the
dab busted ole town Of he's gone"
F sI Inn't lnnx, ,,I,,t., ...s, .... 49,
Cynthy Tipworthy," said the landlord.
"Shc's waited table on him last two
years, and her brother Bud works mt
the Herald Office. She didn't say a
word, only looked and looked and
looked, like n crazy woman; then her
and Bud went Off together to hunt I'm
the woods. They jest tuck hold of
each others hands like
~ reckon there amt many crazier
than them two Bowlders, father and
son. interrupted IA patron, wiping the
drops from his beard rs he set his
glass OF the bar. "Thcy rid into town
like n couple of wild Indians, the old
man bcatin' hat gray mare o. theirn
TILL she was one big walt, and he amt
hatchery no cruel man either. l ex-
pect Ligc Willetts better keep out Of
Hartley's way"
81 keep out of no mans wayr' cried
q voice behind him. Turning, they saw
Lige standing on the threshold Of the
door that led to the street. In his hand
he held the bride of the horse he had
ridden across the sidewalk and that
now stood painting, with lowered head
half through the doorway, beside his
master. Lige was hatless, splashed
with mud from head to foot; his Jaw
was set, his teeth ground together, his
eyes burned under red lids, and his
hair lay tossed and damp on his brow.
II keep out of no mans way" he re-
peatcd hoarsely. 81 heard you, Mr..
Tibbs, but I've got too much to do,
while you loaf and gas and drink over
Lands bar. I've got other business
than kcepin' out of Hart Bowlder's
way. I'm lOokin' for John Harkless.
He was the best nan 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 q hand on the rope
that lifts the men hat did 1t IL l have
to go to Rouen to put it there. After
that I'll answer for my fault, not be-
fore"
He threw himself on his horse and
was gone. Soon the room emptied, as
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 II O'clock Judge Briscoe dropped
wcarily from his horse ut his own gate
and said to n wan girl who came run
ming down the walk to meet him;
"There is nothing yet. l sent the tel
egram to your mother-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 Fisbee sat on
the porch, his white head held between
his two hands. He was rocking him,
self to and fro. She touched him gen!
tly, but he did not look up. She spoke
to him. Father" she said.
He did not seem to hear her.
'"There isn't anything yet. He sent
the telegram. l shall stay with you
now, no matter what you say" She
sat beside him and put her head down
on his shoulder, and, though for q mo-
ment he anDearpd not tn notice II. when,