The Washington times., 1905-01-01
CHAPTER VII Ccontinued).

He sat there when Nelson and his
companions entered. A mild resentment
showed in his face when the men merely
spoke casually to Nellie. and then, with
an air Of authority and proprietorship,
began their preparations TO carry away
the bodies of Huhbick and his wife.
But this look faded away into a half
smile when old Crooked Ears took
seat by his side.
He was not alone There Were two,
then who would shed their blood for
Nellie.
We've been sent by Sheriff Gavin"
said Nelson, evidently in charge of the
party Gavin didn't know just what
you wanted done, but thought likely you
would want them buried right in Hub
bieks'
Il suppose that is best replied Mel
lie You know what to do better than
L You have been through these scenes
before
II should say So said Nelson. with
something like pride. This amt so
new to Hubbicks. But what will you
do? You oughtn't to stay here alcne.''
But L must stay. What else is there
for me to do? The place needs some
one
1T amt good to be alone here per-
II.
ried. There's Gavin. .
Nellie turned away IN disgust, and al
lowed them to continue without inter
ference.
She went to the kitchen, where Joe
Followed.
Cant hurt him. said Crooked Ears.
Him dead
Il know said Nellie They cannot
hurt MIN, Joe. But they hurt me.
Joe,s fists clinched Hurt Nellie,
Hurt a friend of Alice Gordon's? What
was needed to prevent this?
Not that way, joe said Nellie, un-
Outstanding his feelings. They would
NOS harm me But they are rude men
and do not understand
Cant hurt him. said Joe, jerking
his thumb toward the front of the
house. Him dead.
lying there.
Something in his tone caused Nellie
20 look at him sharply.
Cant hurt him." said Joe again
"Hurt him.
This last was emphasized, but whis-
pered- The dark thumb made a quick
jerk toward the direction of Hubbicks.
Nellie, without knowing what he
meant, felt that his words were signif-
cant.
.sYou like him?" he asked in whis-
per. his thumb jerking again toward
Hubhicks-
Nellie knew instinctively that he
meant Cayright.
She could not at that time enter into
a lengthy explanation of her feeling:
toward Cayright. In fact, she did not
exactly understand them herself.
Che 5,J,1Sbpd AT T0e'S SIJpSfiOy1 Thai
was because she understood Joe.
Old Crooked Ears knew only two emo
lions. He either liked or hated.
The intensity of Joe's liking" would
in any one else be love. But Nellie die
not feel equal to the task Of analysis.
Eyes. Joe. like him." she said
Old Crooked Ears nodded
Then we do something quick" HI
whispered. The little girl sent me
She says, Joe, go to Nellie That tel
Joe what to do. She say, Joe, brinf
Nellie here That tell you what to do
But Joe hear something on the way"
The kissing whisper warned her tina
the disclosure should not reach the ear
of the others in the house She quietl.
shut the door, and shut herself in tn
kitchen with joe
Charlie OK started at this. Why wa
he shut out? But look on her fac
as she shut the door seemed to reacl
his intelligence.
He changed his seat and grunted I
his dog. AS a result, the dog lay dow
across the doorway. Nellie was SAT
from, interruption
what do you mean Joe?" she asked
'eWhat have you heard? What are the
going to do?'
You like Gavin?''
Nellie siuddered.
mo, L do rot like Gavin, joe.
Old Crooked Ears hated Gavin wit
an intensity possible only to nature
such as his. Gavin had made him tn
butt of his wit on more than enc occa
sion
In his hatred for the real man Gavi
had killed Joe's brother. who had nc
stolen the horse, a supposed theft fo
which ne had been hanged by Gavin
orders.
Old Crooked Ears had come of q nj
merous family. One brother had thu
been ushered to the spirit world.
lister had married a white man
worthless fellow, but a man who wa
in good standing in the gin mills and ii
circles most frequented by Gavin.
She had since died, but her son. Gale
Nose, was the keeper Of the Hubbicl
lookup. But that is for the future.
Joe no like Gavin, ne said.
1t was good to know that Nell
shared his sentiments.
But what did you hearf aske
Nellie. with some impatience.
1.-THE judge. him not home said 10
1.-THE judge a good man
.Yes, know that joe"
IF him have something to do abol
this, that young man. him go free"
yes, of course. Why should he II
go free, Joe? He did not Kill my faith
and mother
Joe nodded as much as to say he W;
assured OF that or Nellie would not Iii
him.
Him go free if the judge was home
continued Joe. But Gavin not wa
him go free.
Nellie clutched at her heart. 81
' knew something of the rude and swi
measures adopted IN these cases.
'.Ali Gayin's friends think like Gavin
y. l.