Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-08-15

The Tail of the Serpent.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BY A f. BoNNEY.

WV W."
HE says" came a snarling voice
from behind Mcintyre, that yer a
" sneak, trying to get yer iron onto
| other peoples cattle"
Mcintyre had turned at the first
sound of the mans voice to fina him
self looking into the muzzle of a pistol.
He had been warned of the mans COW
| ardly methods of attack, and realized
with sickening rush OF blood TO his
heart that word or a move meant in
slant death, and while his whole ma
ture revolted, he st.od quiet, both
hands in sight.
I'VE swallows it, sneered Nomap.
with an exasperating leer. trying to
goad the other into the sill sn,sst show
of hostility. Don't we. ye dirty cow
ard ?"
Mollie could see the white Of MoIn-
tyres cheek growing a dull red. the
muscles of his neck swelling tense and
hard, then she scrambled through the
window
Jim Norman. you quit" she
screamed.
Mcintyre thrust the girl aside. an act
OF chivalry which saved his life, for his
enemy fired the instant he moved. and
while the bullet missed his heart II
shattered his arm.
Don't. Jim, DON'T" screamed the
| girl, wildly. throwing herself between
them, unconscious that she cluiehed
| McIntyre's mangled arm. "Oh, dcc't!"
as Noman's gun again flashed to a
level.
The man. his lust for blood flaming up
hercely at sight of his helpless enemy.
smiled wolfshly, pausing only to be
certain of his aim before firing the ia
tai shot. A squirt OF flame and smoke.
and the girl hid her face in her arms.
that she might not see Then she hea I'd
a steady voice
Now, you hit the trail. Jim Norman"
and looked up to see the man holding
his mangled hand, which he gazed at
in horror, with Farrell standing by,
smoke still curling from the muzzla
of his gun.
"Vamos!" Farrell continued. land II
sight you again I'll kill you, just the
same as | would any other wolf Leave
that alone" as Noman reached for his
pistol. Now, git"
When Norman was out of sight, Far
rel turned to Mcintyre.
bad hurt. Chase?" he asked.
Winged, guess. Charley" he le-
piled, It's not so deep as a well, nor
as wide as church door," he quoted,
but it's a plenty"
Bandaging the wounded arm as best
he could, Farrell started to get Niger
to go for the doctor, 30 miles away.
When he returned for final word with
his patient he found Mollie Just out
side the door, weeping bitterly.
Don't cry. little girl" he said, ten
derby, his voice dull with concealed
pain. Chase is not much hurt. and
VIII be all right in pair OF moons"
Il did not know you cared so much
for him, Mollie," he continued, cor I'd
have hit the trail long ago"
Charley. Charley. don't 60"
He looked over his shoulder as he
fumbled with the cinch.
/ Il don't want to, Mollle," he said.
but | amt never yet run no brand I
had no right to, so guess III travel"
There amt nobody go no brand on
me-" she sobbed.
WHAT" he said. with dull slow
ness, as he turned from the pony,
which nickered to the girl. "Ain'i
! Mac and stopped when he saw Nc
lntyre's face over the girls shoulder q
new pain in every feature.
II always gave you credit for having
a little horse sense. Charley" he said
a flicker of the old smile on his lips
but Niger. there, knows more than
you do. He has been trying to tell You
for half an hour Molly
loves you. I'm hurt n more ways than
one, old man. he said his lips witch
ing. but take her, and may God bless
you both"
When Mcintyre recoveI ed from a
deadly swoOn, Mollie's face was on hfs
pillow. which was wet With her tears.
~'I-I-tried to. Glove you. Mr..
! tyreCChase," she sobbed, but |
found loved Charley. you see. AMI
and am only e. to be a cowman's
wife, anyway. YOU know"
yes. Mollic. know" he said. turn.
| ing his face to the wall.
Copyright. 1905. ~ Daily story Pub. Coz
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