The Marshall republican., 1906-05-11


II was d dismal break up 10 Inc NEE,
aud we oil went home feeling rather
sick. $50 that II gave me no pleasure
TO find Moore waiting In my shack for
my report OF Bruce. II was quite vain
for me to make light OF the accident
20 him. Ills eyes were wide open with
anxious fear when I had done. .
you needn't tell me not 10 be ans.
ious." he said. "You ARE anxious your
self. I see II. I feel It,"
We'll. there " no use trying 10 keep
things from you ] replied. But ] nm
only n little anxious. Don't you 20
beyond me and work yourself up into
a fever over H."
'No." be answered quietly. but !
wish his mother were nearer"
''Oh. boshl u isu't coming 60 that.
Put ! wish he were In better shape.
lie IN broken up badly without this
hole In him"
lie would not leave I'll ! had prom.
iscd TO take him IN the text day.
though I was doubtful enough OF his
reception. But next dry the Duke
came down. his black bronco lingo
wei with hard riding.
Better come up. Connor." he said
grnvcly. "and bring your bromidcs
along. He has had n bad uielit and
morning and fell asleep only before I
cnmo away. expect he'll wake In 6e.
IlrIum. It's the whisky more thnn tho
bullet. Snakes. you know"
In ton Minutes we three were on the
trail. for Moore. though not invited.
quietly announced his intention TO 20
with us.
"oh. all right" said the Duke lndIf.
fercntly. "Hc probably won't recog.
nizc you anyway"
We rode hard for hnlf an hour I'LL
we came within sight OF Brucc's
shack. which was set back Into a little
poplar blun.
Hold upl" said the Duke. "was
tbnt a sbotY' We stood listening. a
rife shot rang out. and we rode hard.
Again the Duke halted IN. and there
came from tho shack the sound OF
singing. II was nn old Scotch tune.
The Twcnty-thIrd Psalm" said
Moore In n low voice.
We rode into the blum. tied IN our
horses and crcpt 10 the back of the
shack. Looking through a crack he
tween the logs. ! saw u grcwsome
thing. Bruce WINS sitting NJ In bed
with n Winchester ride across his
knees and n belt OF cartridges hanging
oyer the post. Ills baBdngcs were
torn on. the blood from his wound
was sinearcd ovcr his bnre arms and
his pnic, CHASTITY face, his eyes were
wild with mad terror. and he was
shouting at the top OF his voice tho
words:
1.-THE Lords my Shepherd. I'll not want:
lie makes mo down TO lie
In pastures green; he. leadeth me
The QUIET waters by.
Now and then he would stop 10 say
IN an nwesome whisper. 'come out
here. you little devils" And bang
would go his rifle nj the ~stovcplpc,
which was rlddled with holes. Then
once more In n loud voice he would
hurry TO begin the psalm;
"The Lords my Shepherd"
Nothing that my memory brings te
me makes me chin like that picture
the low log shack. now In cherries
disorder; the g;astiy object upon the
bed In the corner. with blood smeared
face and arms and mad terror In tls
eyes; the awful cursings and NOR
awful psalm singing. punctuated by
the quick report OF the deadly rifle.
For some moments we stood gazing
nj one another. Then the Duke sud
In a low. fierce tone. more TO himself
than 10 us:
This Ia the last. There1l be ne
more Of this cursed folly among thu
boys"
And ] thought II a wise thing In thu
Pilot that he answered not a word.