Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1905-09-15

-Tom?-plays the deuce with ones
looks. And another thing it does: it
makes a man forget sometimes just
how to behave in town. I'll be
charmed. Mr.. Tom, to oblige a friend
of Miss Olden's; but | must insist that
he does not talk like a-farmer."
He was quite close to Tom when he
finished, and Tom was glaring up at
him. And. Mag. didn't know which
one was most afraid for, Don't you
look at me that way. Mag Monahan,
and don't you dare to guess any
thing.
IF you think" growled Tom. that
I'm going to let you get of with the
girl. you're mighty"
Now, I've told you not to say that.
The reason I'll do the thing she's go
ing to ask of me-if it's what | think
it isis because this girls plucky
little creature with soul big enough
to lift her out of the muck you prob
ably helped her into. It's because
she's got brains, talent and heart.
It's because-well, it's because | feel
like it, and she deserves a friend"
you don't know what she is" 1t
was snarl from Tom. you don't"
"Oh, yes, do; you cur! l know
what she was, too; and even know
what she will be; but that doesn't
concern you"
"The hell it DON'T"
Obermuller turned his back on him.
was dumb and still. Tom Dorgan
had struck me after all.
What is it you want me to do,
Nance?" Obermuller asked.
Get him away on steamer
quick" | murmured-I couldn't look
him in the face without asking
why, or what his name is
He turned to Tom. "Well?"
81 won't go-not without her"
Because you're so fond of her. Ell?
So fond. your first thought on quitting
the-country was to come here to get
her in trouble. If you've been
traced"
"Ah! You wouldn't like that, eh%
sneered Tom.
would you?"
well, I've had my share of it. And
she amt Still Just what
would it be worth to you to have me
out OF the way"
ooh. Tom-Tom-" cried.
But 0bermuller got in front of me.
at would be worth exactly s175. I
think it will amount to about that for
cab-hire. | guess the cars aren't any
too safe for you or 1t might be less. II
may amount to something more be-
fore | get you shipped before the mast
On the first foreign-bound boat. But
what's more important he added
bringing his fist down with a mighty
thump on the table, you have Just
ten seconds to make up your mind
At the end of that time I'll ring for
the police"
| went down to the boat to see Il
sail, Mag. at seven this morning. No
not to say good-by to him. He didn't
know | was there. 1t was to say
good-by to my old Tommy; the one
loved. Truly | did love him, Mag
though he never cared for me. No
he didn't. Men don't pull down the
women they love; | know that now
If Tom Dorgan had ever cared for me
he wouldn't have made thief of me
If he'd cared. the last place on earth
he'd have come to, when he knew the
detectives would be on his track
would have been just the first place
he made for. If he'd cared. he
But it's done, Mag. It's all over
Cheap-that's what he is. this Tom
Dorgan. Cheaply bad-a cheap bully
acheap-brained. Remember my wish
ing he'd have been a ventriloquist!
Why, that man that tried to sell me to
Obermuller hasn't sense enough to be
a good scene-shifter. Oh
The firm of Dorgan & Olden is dis.
solved, Mag. The retiring partner has
gone into the theatrical business. As
for Dorgan-.the real one. poor fellow
jolly. handsome. big Tom Dorgan-he
died. Yes. he died. Maggie. and was
buried up there in the prison grave
yard. A hard lot for boy; but it's
not the worst thing that can happen
to him. He might become a man;
such a man as that fellow that sailed
away before the mast this morning.