Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-14

but he broke away and they followed until
he came to the inner end of the bar. Then
they stood back little, while he waited
to be served.
Here, Bnl. he called out cheerfully.
A bar-keep quit the Ryans and went to
serve him. We'll" says he, heaps inSolent,
what do you want?"
The patrone looked at him smiling. you
seem out of sorts, Bill; have a drink with
me. I'll take a whisky"
The bar-keep glared at him.
"Oh, by the way" says Balshannon, "I'll
have to square up for this tomorrow morn
ing"
Terms cash. says the bar-keep.
"Really?' Balshannon smiled at his ugly
face. "Oh, of course-your orders, Ell? Well,
never mind. You're so polite, BILL that-er-
that just by way OF thanks I'll ask you to
accept this little token" He chucked him
the silver cigarette case and turned away
from the bar.
But I was bull-roaring mad. "Patrone,'
says 7. 'patrone, owe you heaps Of
money. Here, take thisl'
But Balshannon laid both hands upon my
shoulders, smiling right into my eyes.
Dear friend he said, you know I could
not take money, even from you"
A thick voice was calling from the other
end of the bar: Here, bar-keep, you give
this man drink
Then the patrone looked around. "Ah,
Ryan, eh2' He walked straight up to his
enemy. I'll drink with you gladly, Ryan.
Suppose we forget the past and try to be
good-er-er- friends. eh2" He held out his
hand but Ryan took no notice. Hello, I
see your son is with you, Ryan. Good even
Ing, Michael
Michael Just stared at him.
The people who had no interest In the
trouble must have seen drawn guns before
now, because l heard them breaking rapid
for cover. The scrub which belonged to
Ryan was formed up behind him for war,
while back of Balshannon stood only Jim
and Curly with the whole nart of the
room behind them empty. The two young
sters seemed to be having baby troubles,
for Curly was struggling powerful to break
away from Jim.
II got to-" he shouted, II cayn't see to
shoot!' Then he jumped clear. He had
aforementioned about being q cripple, he
had torn the bandage away from his eye,
and over the left brow, clear for all men
At that yell went up from Ryan's crowd,
and some of his men surged forward,
Louisiana and LowLived Joe in the lead.
I Jumped straight at them with my brace
of guns.
Back" shouted Ryan, holding them
back with both arms. Back! What's your
hurry? Wait?
Come on!' came Curlys clear high yell.
1.-TWO thousand dollars daid or alive IL you
take me! I'm a sure wolf, and it's my
night to howl. you towards! I'm Curly
McCalmont of the Robbers Roost! Take
me who cam
Curly had gone pump crazy, throwing
his life away to get Balshannon one more
chance of escape, but the crooks only saw
that the small boys team of guns were
quick in his hands to shoot, and felt real
glad of Ryan's outstretched arms. So came
the lull, and heard the bar-keep clashing
down bottle and glass beside Balshannon.
"Whiskey." says he In shaky voice,
land yours, Mr.. Ryan,
Irish" said Ryan, then whispered to his
son, who hauled clumsy, getting out his sill
ver-plated pop-shooter thing more hit for
a girl than a grown man.
like to think of my old patrone in those
last moments of his life, as he stood at
the end of the bar, quiet, peaceful, facing
Ryan. He was tall, straight man. gaunt
some dead weary, but the only clean thing
in sight. The gray moustache raked up
against the red tan of his face, his hair
was curling silver, his eyes cool blue. He
seemed to be amused with the Ryans, and
as to weapons, he just despised a gun.
Then he heard the clash of his sons spurs
lust behind him. Goodbye" heard him
whisper GOD bless you, Jim
I reckon Jim was crying,
Ryan had swung forward along the bar,
and reached for Balshannon's empty, glass.
Here, take your drink he shouted, the
drink you begged forl
Balshannon stepped aside while Ryan
filled the glass for him to drink. Thank
YOU" he said. But Ryan snatched the full
Take that!' he yelled, and threw the glass
straight at Balshannons face.
The patrone took q handkerchief ana
wiped his face, slow and dainty, but the
blood was starting where the glass had
struck. I'm sorry" he said, that 1t should
come to this but as you are not in condi-
ton Mr.. Ryan, to fight, I must ask you,
Mr.. Michael Ryan, to oblige me-
"Fight2" yelled Ryan. Fight a thing
like you. Not muchl Back, Michael! My
Lord Balshannon," he sneered, do you
think my son would demean himself to
fight your
1T observe" said Balshannon kindly,
that he seems to be rather warm In that
fur oyercoat-"
The crowd broke out laughing. half ready
I felt then to take the weaker side against
a coward. The patrone was so surely great,
so much q man, so helpless-Geath in his
eyes, peace on his smiling lips and the
Ryans, in furs and jewelry, looked such
ours,
l had stepped back against the wall,
facing the middle of the bar On the right
was the Ryan gang, on the left Balshan-
non. behind me the row of windows which
looked on the aney-way where my men lay