The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-10-11

landlord, himself returned from long
hunt, set out his whisky with lavish
hand.
"He was the best man we had. boys"
said Lands as he poured the little
glasses full WED ort Of sent him to
the legislative halls of Washington
long ago. He'd of done us honor there.
But we never thought Of doin' any
thing fer him. Jest set round and left
him build up the town and give him
empty thankyes. Drink hearty, gen.
tlemen," he finished gloomily. Il don't
grudge no liquor today-except to Lige
Willetts."
"He was a good man." said young
William Todd, whose nose was red, not
from the whisky. "I've about give
up"
cts goin' to seem mighty empty
around here," said Ross Schofeld.
whats goin' to become O the Herald
and the party in this district? Where's
the man to run either Of 'em now?
Like as not" he continued desperately,
'itll go against US in the fall.''
Dibb Zane choked over bis four fin
gers. 1--WE nights we'll bust up the
dab busted ole town eff he's gone"
81 don't know what's come over that
Cynthy Tipworthy," said the landlord.
"She's waited table on him last two
years, and her brother Bud works at
| the Herald Office She didn't say
word. only looked and looked and
looked, like crazy woman; then her
and Bud went off together to hunt in
the woods. They jest tuck hold Of
each others hands like
''I reckon there amt many crazier
than them two Bowlders father and
SON. interrupted patron. wiping the
drops from his beard as he set his
glass on the bar 'They rid into town
| like a couple Of wild Indians, the old
man beatin' that gray mare O. theirn
till she was one big walt, and he amt
natcherly no cruel man either. ex-
pect Lige Willetts better keep out Of
Hartley's way
81 keep out of no mans way" cried
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.
81 keep out Of no mans way" he re-
| peated 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 keepin' out Of Hart Bowlder's
way. I'm lookin' for John Harkless.
| He 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 it if 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 empted, 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
wearily from his horse at his own gate
and said to a wan girl who came run
ming down the walk to meet him:
There is nothing yet. 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 matte what you say She
sat beside him and put her head down
| on his shoulder. and. though for mo-
ment he appeared not to notice it. when
Minnie came cut on the porch. hearing
her father at the door. the old man
had put his arm about the girl and was
stroking her fair hair softly.
Briscoe glanced at them and raised
warning finger to his daughter. and
they went tiptoeing into the house.
where the judge dropped heavily upon
a sofa. Minnie stoo4 before him with
a look of pale inquiry, and he shook
| his head.