The Delta independent., 1906-03-30

the crowd stared and swore softly with
wonder. while the president hummer
licked his lips.
Ogden knelt by the sheriff. unfasten-
ing the collar Of his coat His own
position was now a very delicate one.
and he knew 1t. II the Sherin naa
pals, his adversary would pay with
his life for the punishment he had
inflicted. Apparently, however. the
man had no friends, for not . soul
except the landlord and John himself
troubled to find out whether he was
still alive.
Nothing. as 1t happened. was serious
ly wrong with Lassiter. He was
knocked out" and severely bruised
and would be marked for weeks, but
stif glass of brandy speedily re
vived him; and his shooting irons
were removed from him. A few min
utes later Ogden was remounting to
continue his journey, with q pleased
countenance and somewhat sore
knuckles. AS he swung into the Sad
die, he was accosted by the Mexican.
"Senor, where you vamos noWT
"Why?"
You will never come near Calhoun
City night time? No. That Sheriff
kill you" John smiled.
His funeral might come first. Stu,
you meant we'll. Thanks, my boy"
He smiled, and with the impulse OF
! good natured man. extended his hand.
"Adios amigo" he said.
The Mexican's face shone. "Ah,
gracious Senor. I nevair forget"
| A month later the spring roundup
was over. and John Ogden was . free
/ lei. III, -aS -
ing to take summer holiday. This he
decided to spend in Calhoun City. The
reason which drew him to Calhoun
| was one which he would not even own
to himself-homesickne The rail
road had now reached the town, and.
1t was said. had brought . cargo Of
people from the East decked out In
the glories OF civilized attire, and John
i longed to see anything that would re-
mind him Of old days. So to Calhoun
he went straight away. and TO Jeph-
sons. There, on the second day. he
met the Sheriff, and q pleased light
came into Lassiter's crafty eyes - af
the sight Of something he had wished
to see for long time.
"Hev drink" he said cordially.
My turn now. Order yourself"
Ogden did SO, his right hand within
easy 6IaSp Vi ulS IeNOlNSs. DOb ~
move was made against him, and after
close observance Of the man he came
to the conclusion that none would be
made. Burt Lassiter vas q coward.
This matter cleared up. John settled
down for a game of cards. He Was
generally lucky player. but tonight
everything went against him and be
lost twenty-five dollars. This was bad.
but what was worse was a suspicion
that he had been cheated. He could
not prove it, and he took his bad luek
in silence. but such an experiences u
never conducive to sweet temper, and
John, when he woke next morning.
after a restless night, was In very
morcse and uncharitable mood. What
should he do? go for his mai? Hestrol-
led over to the post-oface at once and
asked for letters.
out his room. He, too. was queer
tempered man. A lean. wiry Yankae,
with q wrinkled face like = monkeys
and . high-pitched voice. -
He took no notice Of Johns request,
except to say sharply:
Come in an hour"
Now considering the mailbag was
al that moment reposing on the coun-
ter at the back OF the room, this was
a little hard. John stood quite still
for q minute, his wrath rising within
him, then. without deigning to speak
again. he strobe to the bag and, break
ing the seal, prepared to scatter its
contents upon the counter. Before he
could do It the postmaster few at him
like q wild cat, and snatched the bag
from his hands.
"Ye cow-punching devil, you. II
there was shred Of law in this God
forsaken place. I'd have ye arrested
for robbing the United States mail. As
1t is. you'll"
But he got no further, for Johns
temper had boiled over. and, catching
the little man by the back Of the neck.
he shook him until he was black in
the face. then tossed him like an empty
sack to the other side of the room.
Slade was up in a moment drawing
a revolver, John did the same, more
quickly. but he did not fire The post
master only carried q little nickel.
plated pistol five inches long. a mere
toy beside Ogden's great army Colt.
Put 1t up" said John quietly. This
thing Is not worth life." He lower
cd his own pistol as he spoke, when
from behind there came sharp "ping"
Of rife bullet, and the postmaster
staggered against the wall. falling up
on his face dead. At the same instant
John felt hot iron touch the back of
his neck. and . voice, Burt Lassiters
said curtly:
Hands up!"
(Contimwed merit sceek,)