The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-10-18

In 1850 New Mexico was the para
disc of desperadoes, and the only re-
spected authority was a 45-calibre
single action revolver. Every man
carried at least one Of these weapons
and when he rode supplemented IL
with a repeating rifle in a holster
strapped to the saddle under his left
leg.
Naturally, in such times, it was
easy to acquire the reputation of be-
ing bad man." and many did sc
without quite deserving it.
OF these, Dan Bevis-familiarly
known as "The Dandy" in conse-
quence of fastidious attention to
his appearance in a region where such
a matter received scant respect-was
one. He was a professional gambler
a term which must not always be
deemed synonymous with card sharp
er. Moreover, he was not pigeon
plucker, and it is recorded that on
one occasion, finding his opponent
greatly his inferior in skill, he hand
ed back his winnings and got up from
the table with the remark that "he
did not take pupils"
For the rest, he was good-looking
fellow of about thirty years of age, a
fine rider, dead shot with any
weapon and possessed of an even
temperament which enabled him to
accept good or bad fortune with smil-
ing indiffer nee.
Thus, when, on his fourth visit to
Deep Hollow, he was conducted to the
edge of the settlement by the leading
inhabitants, with the emphatic inti-
nation that "if he showed up again
he would be hung" he merely
shrugged his shoulders, smiled pleas
antly, and rode leisurely up the trail
in the direction of Santa Fe.
In five days he had financially Grip
pied many of the community. The
climax came when one of the suffer-
ers so far forgot himself as to call
the gambler cheat. which resulted
in his being crippled in a more un-
pleasant way. But for the fact that
the accuser was also palpably cheat
ing, and was in no danger of dying
of his hurt, Dan would have swung
then and there.
1t was about week after this
event that Miss Virginia West made
two important discoveries.
Jimmy" kept house for her step
father and only relative, who was
proprietor of the principal saloon in
Deep Hollow, and was generally
known as bad Brown" Miss jimmy
was eighteen years of age and the ac-
knowledged belle of the township.
The saloon was a one-story build
ing of rough pine logs, with sanded
floor and a bar. Back of this bar
was a door leading to the living part
of the shanty. 1t was on the other
paused, as women do the world over,
to put reassuring hand to her hair,
and in consequence made the first
discovery.
The fact that there was customer
chatting with her relative would not
have made the young girl hesitate
but on this occasion she recognized
the voice as that of Steve Lupas, q
man whom she instinctiyely feared
and avoided.
He'll come. you bet" he was say
ing. 'He got the note at Santa Fe
an Parker sez he colored up like a
gal when he read it,"
Il was afeard he'd know Jinny's
hand-write. or suspicion that it was
mighty sudden affection on hei
part" Brown said
Not he" sneered the other. "Tht
dandy thinks every woman is in love
with him an his fine clothes. Snakes
it'll be somethin' to see his face whei
he finds out how he's bin fooled,
and the speaker laughed loudly.
when will he be here?" Brown
asked.
Pretty soon now, reckon" wa'
the reply. Some of the boys ar,
goin' to hide little way up the trail
wait till he passes and follow hin
in. Then they'll close up and mai
him as soon rs he crosses the bound
airy an tomorrow mornin he'll
swing"
There was short silence, an,
then, in different tone, the younge
man, Lupas, remarked:
You amt said anything to Jim,
about-about me, s'pose?"
NO." replied Brown; "it won't d.
to rush things"
This was untrue, for the speake
had already sounded the young lad
anent the question of her becomin,
Mrs Lupas, and had met with an EN-
phatic negative. But he dared no
diyulge this, for he was In the nm
welcome suitor's power.
well, that's your lookout; but
amt goin' to wait much longer" wa
the threatening retort. You're com
ing to see the fun, | guess?"
Yes; Jinny'll take charge"
On hearing this that young, lad
slipped away fiom the door, an
when she appeared in response Z
Browns call her face showed no trac
OF emotion, but rage, shame and dis
gust struggled with another fcelin
which she did not attempt to analyzt
A light step outside broke in upo
her reflections, and she looked up [
nnd the subject of them standing 1
the open doorway. For one momen