Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-01
DAILY SHORT STORY
IN THE BILLIARDS.. GRIP.

days.
Colville was FIVE miles from Fort
Yuma. Colonel McClentock used to ig-
more the towns laws and go for tres
pasSers against his command himself
He had had tits with Joe Peters and
had declared that he would some day
get him dead to rights. He thought
the day had come when a paymaster
| was robbed, and the finger of suspicion
pointed strongly to the gambler. Over
to COlville he went, with half a com
pany at his back. and Peters had just
i've minutes to prepare himself. He
made good by walking out to meet
the colonel and holding revolver to
his head until he gave the order for the
soldiers to turn back. When the colo
mel had got back to his parade ground
he took the biggest kind of an oath that
he wouldn't die until he had got even
for the humiliation.
When fall came it was known that
Joe Peters was out of health. Dissipa-
ton and a strenuous life We're begin
ming to tell. He was so financially well
fixed that he. could have gone in any
direction. but he remained right there
He had the cough of a consumptive on
him and men had begun to notice that
his grip was growing weaker when
winter. which had been holding off in
n wonderful way. set in with bliZ-
card. 1t began blowing and showing
soon after noon one day. and an hour
after dark the driver OF the up coach
rolled off his horse at the Black Bear
hotel and was carried into the barroom
more dead than alive He reported
that he had been compelled to abandon
his coach in Panther pass. five miles
below. He had cut loose one of the
leaders and had been three hours max
ing his way into Colville against the
gale and the drifts.
And the passengers?' some one
asked.
There wasn't but one. and. God help
me. had to leave her in the COACH
"A woman, and you left her behindr'
exclaimed Joe Peters as he came for
ward.
But what could 1 do?" whimpered
the man
His ears and nose and fingers and
toes had been frostbitten, and had he
hho <<hil a hIAiC Aof thSI ~ 81 tic Cut-
ting winds would have had his life If
he had abandoned the woman he had
at least reached some spot from which
help could be sent.
"WhO is the woman?" asked Peters
of the driver
She's the colonels wife That's
what makes it so bad. Nobody can get
through TO the fort in this storm. Ev-
cry cut will be blocked five feet deep
Peters rose up and walked about for
n moment and then said to the land
lord:
Have the boy saddle my horse.
also want a couple of blankets and a
bottle of brandy"
What the devils afoot. Joe?"
I'm going after the woman
There were vigorous protests from
The score of men in the baroom. They
were not selfish lot. and chivalry was
not dead in their breast, but it was
one chance in hundred, and they did
not feel like taking 1t. If a rescuer
succeeded in forcing his way through
he drifts 1t would be to find the wo-
nan frozen to death. They argued
md protested. but Peters quietly went
IN with his preparations. When they
saw that he was determined to go man
liter man offered his company.
I'm game to try II alone" replied
Peters. You know I've got n little ac-
count to settle with the colonel. Have |
Kings ready to thaw us out when we |
urn up
There's a man for you, and we are |
Is Peters rode away in the storm and |
darkness, and no man turned to resent |
lis words.
No one has ever told how the gam
,ler's horse buffeted his way through
he drifts until the stage was finally
cached. What seemed impossible was
t last accomplished. The three stage
orses left behind had fallen stiff in
heir tracks and were hidden under the
now. and the vehicle was simply one
f the many snow mounds.
"Is anybody in there?' was shouted
y the man on horseback.
Yes, but 1 am perishing with the
old"
Drink half this bottle of brandy and
hen wrap these blankets around you:
low give me your hand, and get you
n the saddle in front of me. No more
ak now"
Two hours down to The stalled coach.
wo hours back to ColviIle, and the
had gone down twelve de-
rees in that time. There were men
Tho swore in admiration, and there
Tere others who turned away with
ears in their eyes at the sight.
1.-The woman is all right and will be
hipper in a day or two" said the doc
,r. but Joe Peters has played his last
and. It's the most cruel thing 1 ever
aw. He can't be disturbed for day
r two, but after that you want to form
l line and go softly in and bid him
oodby."
Three days later the colonel came
own from the fort to find his wife up
nd about and playing nurse to the
ian waiting In the shadow. He heard