The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-27
Our Daily $bort Story

liams!". drove the blood back to his heart with a rush. However, he had been brought up In the West and knew what would immediately follow if the command was not promptly obeyed. so the same moment that brought him to his feet brought his hands above his head, In which position he waited sto- ically for further developments.
 He had not long to wait.
 T see you've had the right kind of trainin', pal" said the same voice. Come on, boys" 1t continued. "Well git through with this job quick"
 In obedience to, his orders half dozen men, mostly cowboys appeared from behind various hiding places and surrounded Williams.
 The leader. handing his rife to one of the others, produced lariet and approaching the man in the center of the ring.
 DO you see this roper" he asked.
 Williams nodded.
 well, this end of it Is 2goir' to be tied to that there limb over there while this here end of 1t is goin' to be tied around your neck. You foiler me"
 Well, you've shore. got me dead to rights, Hank-but look here. was desprit. l thought the kid was dyin' and my of hoss had giv out an they wasn't no doctor. I took your hoss, Hank, but there want no"
 Be we goin' to let this dashed ga- loot push hot air all night? Whats wrong with this outfit, anyhow?" in- terrupted one of the men.
 This speech was received with fa- vor by the rest of tho crowd.
 My God, men," cried the desperate man, whats become of Nell and the kid if you string me up? I'm all they've got. Let me go ana see them first Give me five minutes, will you, boys?" he pleaded. You can hide at the edge of the woods and plug me If make a break"
 A silence followed this request which was finally broken by Hank.
 Wall" said he slowly, T reckon our time ain't so terrible precious but what we can give you five minutes of 1t. What do you say. boys?" Hank had a wife and children at home.
 The boys were evidently not in favor of extending this clemency to Williams. but the silence with which they received the question was due partly to the fact that, in that section of the country. 1t was considered un- lucky to oppose the questioner's 8 wishes.
 Hank, acting on the principle that silence means acquiescence, gruffiy ordered Williams to lead the way to the camp.
 Arriving at the edge of the prairie, the crowd halted and. after being elo- quently advised as to what would hap pen if he should be so foolish as to attempt any tricks, the condemned man was allowed to proceed alone towards the wagon.
 Nell was sitting on the ground be- fore the fire with baby in her arms. rocking back and forth and singing a soft lullaby. She looked up as Will Hams approached and putting her fin- gers to her lips, enjoined silence.
 Williams bent over her and held out his arms for the baby and for the first time Nell noticed the absence of the pail. The discovery surprised her into speech.
 Why, Jim, where is the water:"
 Why I-I dropped the pail in the crick and come back to git something to fish it out with" he stammered. an I'd jest like to hold the kid mint before so back"
 The kid" had opened his eyes dur ing this dialogue and as there was no more need for quiet, Nell arose with a merry laugh and gave the baby to It's father.
 Williams held the infant with one arm against his breast and extended the other to Nell. She obediently sidled up to him and with bursting heart he held them close a moment. The hoot of an owl warned him that his time was up, so pushing Nell away almost roughly, he placed the baby in her arms and started or in the direc- tion from which the sound had come, Arrived at the edge of the woods he turned for last look at the ones | who held everything dear to him in life. Nell was standing on the same I spot where he had left her and as he | turned she raised the baby on high fin | her strong young arms. Williams waved his hand in reply, then turned i his back to the pair and plunged dog gedly into the woods, where the men were waiting for him.
 Now" he growled, "go ahead with your hangin." Hank led the way and the rest fol. lowed silently. Arriving at the place | where Williams had been surprised they halted. There was an awkward silence for moment which was bro. ken by williams.
 "You'lI see that Nell gifts to civiliza ton, won't you Hank?' he asked wear ily. Nell didn't know stole the hoss Intended to pay you for it sometime ; he added.
 stilI the awkward silence contInusd The rest of the men were all lookinv at Hank and shifting uneasily from one foot to the other.
 That gentleman. very red in the face