Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-08-14

kcls SJnS DuS hSb hooA ~ Ae~A $1,000 =
and listened. Her understanding OF
the strangers motives was vague, but
she had caught his confession that her
kiss had meant much to him and even
In her anxiety she felt an inclination
to laugh. She had bestowed that caress
as she would have kissed the cold end
of q dogs nose.
The men below stairs, after some
discussion, had decided on bullet. This
was out of consideration for Billy's
standing as q frOntiersman. Besides,
he had stolen no horses. In order not
to delay matters the execution was
fixed for the present tirle and place.
Billy stood with his back to the logs
of his own hotel, his hands and feet
bound, but his eyes uncovered. He had
never lost Ills nerve. In the short res
pite which preparation demanded he
told his opponents what he thought OF
them.
"ProudY he concluded long sOlllo-
guy as II to the reflector Of the lamp.
proud" he repeated meditatively.
"This yere Hanks Jest that proud he's
all swelled up like poisoned pup
Amt every one kin corral man and
git $4,000 without turnin' hair"
Black Hank distributed three men to
do the business. There were no hero
les. The execution of this man was
necessary to him, not because he was
particularly angry over the escape OF
the messenger-he expected to capture
that individual in due time-but In or
der to preserve his authority over his
men. He was In the act Of moving
back to give the shooters room when
he heard the door open and shut
He turned. Before the door STOOD a
small, consumptive looking man In
light check suit. The tenderfOOt car.
ried two short barreled Colts revOlv-
ers. one Of which he presented direct
ly at Black Hank.
"Nds upw he commanded sharply.
Hank was directly covered, 80 he
obeyed. The newcomers eye had a
strangely restless quality. OF the 9TH
er dozen inmates Of the room eleven
were firmly convinced that the weapon
and eye not directed at their leader
were personally concerned with them
selves. The twelfth thought be saw
his chance. TO the bewildered onlook'
ers there seemed to be fash and a
bang instantaneous. Then things were
as before. One Of the strangers weap-
ons still pointed at Black Hanks
breast: the second at each one OF the
others. Only the twelfth man, he who
had seen his chance, had collapsed for
ward to the floor. No one could assure
himself positively that he had dis.
cerned the slightest motion on the part
Of the stranger.
"Now," said the latter sharply, zone
at time, gentlemen. Drop your gum
This last to Black Hank. "Muzzle
down. Drop it! Correct"
One of the men In the back OF the
room stirred slightly on the ball OF bis
foot.
STEADY there!' said the stranger.
The man stiffened.
Next gent" went on the little man,
subtly Indicating another. The latter
0beyed without hesitation. Next. Now
you. Now you in the corner"
One after another the pistols clashed
to the floor. Not for an instant could
single inmate of the apartment, armed
or unarmed, fatter himself that his
slightest motion was overlooked. They
were like tigers on the crouch, ready to
spring the moment the mans guard
lowered. 1t did not lower. The hud-
died figure OIL the floor reminded them
Of what might happen. They obeyed.
"Step backw commanded the stran-
ger next. In q moment he had them
standing in a row against the wall,
rigid, upright, their hands over their
heads. Then for the first time the
stranger moved from his position by
the door.
"Call her." he said to Billy-"the
girl"
Billy raised his voice. Nell! Oh,
Nellw