Cañon City record., 1905-12-14

OI0k ulD COMPANION Dy tn0 ooOulOo8s No
pointed excitodly to the figure at the
stove.
Look. Ike; thar's Rob Desmond got
back. sure as sho0tin'!'
Eyer right. by gingerr calculated Ike
as he peered In above the rim of frost
on the pane at handsome. well built
young fellow Of about twenty-five who
had taken on his hat and coat and
seemed to be making himself thorough
ly comfortable in front of Miley's old
rust spotted heater.
"Wot'll he say?"
"'Bout his cabinf''
"Yep.'
"Lightnin' an razorsr
Say, Ike. rye struck an idee," whis-
pered his companion, with half sup
pressed chuckle. 1--WE can have a good
one on Rob-the best thing out-a
reg lar Christmas joker
"Wot is itT
Approaching his friend, Jim spoke q
few words in his ear. Ike put both
hands over his mouth to check the
laughter he could not quite repress.
"Thatll be a rich one ON Bob, all
right Well do It! By jimson, we
will!' he exclaimed. "a feller needs q
leetle cheer O. some kind at Christmas
time" Then after a few minutes OF
hurried conference the two entered the
store. After greeting Miley, who stood
behind his counter, they FASTENED back
to the stove and gave the new arrival
hearty welcome.
"And what's the newsl' asked Des-
mond as he shook hands with them
both.
"NewsT said Jim. assuming refiec-
tive look and puckering up his eye
brows. "Oh. nothin' much, 'cept thet
ole Biler's sold out an left An
iemme see-yes. thar's Super. he got
throwed an broke his collar bone. an
us galoots has been dom wot we could
ter patch lin up. waal. an them" with
a wary look, ''thar's some new settlers
comm In lately-wantin' timber claims.
an jumpin' 'em. too. when they git
chance. But how'd yer leave the ole
folks back In IndiannyT'
"All well. and could hardly tear my
self away from them"
II reckon hearin' bout yer claim has
kinder hiked yer back" remarked Ike.
regarding him ont of the corner Of his
eye.
my claim. What do you meanr'
And Desmond's blue eyes dilated wide
ly and grew almost black.
II s'posed yer heered all about II
fore this" said Jim. why. yer see.
yer claim has been kinder took. A fam
lily moved inter yer shanty. Yes. they
have. by gingcrp' he added as wave
of increduiIty stole over his listeners
features.
do you mean to tell me that some
low down sneak has dared to jump my
claim while I've been back vislting my
father and motherT' cried Desmond.
the flush OF doubt changing to one Of
resentment
Looks powerfully thet way" admit
ted his tormentor. Seed kivercd
wagon thar an smoke pourin' out O
yer chlmbley."
"who In the sneaking curr' demand
cd the now thoroughly aroused man.
II dunno"
well, 1t won't take me long to find
out" retorted Rob. drawing on his
heavy buffalo overcoat with an angry
Jerk.
"wot! Yer amt goin' ter 20 ter yer
claim right noww
"Yes. and I'll see that that sneak
thief gets out of my shack In n hurry.
I've got pretty well warmed up" with
a grim smile. land don't need Miley's
fire any longer"
Il wouldn't go II was you." said
Ike.
You wouIdnt7" eying him with coa-
| temptuous astonlehmeut
mo"
"You must be fool il you think I'm
going to give up my land. nfter all I've
done on It, without SO much as by
your leavef"
But yer might get inter trubble."
might II cried Desmond, with .
gesture Of disgust, holding up pair
Of heavy pistols and then thrusting
| them into his belt We'll see about
that! If the cuss isn't OF my premises
inside an hour I'll give him trouble
and lots of it!'
II don't think you'Il run that settler
| out" said Jim coolly.
you don'tr'
"No. I don't
"whats the reason?'
"Thar's scv'ral reasons. an ns fer
me. wouldn't want ter tackle the
| job"
"You wouldn't? Well. don't worry.
I'll not call on you for assistance"
and. with quick stride, Rob Desmond
walked out of the store. got his horse
| from the stable whore Il had been kept
during his absence, mounted and was
soon galloplng away through the snowy
| dusk OF f.e txte uftpfuoou
When he was well beyond carshot the
two conspirators went OF into roars Of
laughter. Then they had to acqualnt