The San Francisco call., 1906-07-15
Continued From Last Sunday.
CHAPTER xxx.
Jack Intervenes.

brooding figure by the window. 1t
had sat there without moving since
darkness fell.
Jack. I wish't you'd answer me!'
What do you want. Marthy?"
DO you know it's most twelve
o'clock"
7 don't care IL it's fourteen o'clock
was the ungracious response.
"Marthy" sighed and turned again to
her pillow.
A company Of horsemen rode up to
the saloon below and alighted. At the
same time. a short, thickest figure
emerged from the shadows into the
light Of the lamp.
Mat Kyle. What's he doin' here7"
calculated the man by the window.
The group conferred earnestly. look
ing I'd and down the stBeet. Finally
they all disappeared tn the mysterious
regions below.
Presently some one could be heard as
cendfnE the stairs. There came rap
at the door Jack flung it open and
Mat Kyle bIuHdered into the room.
Jack seized him by both arms.
What's happened? Out with it, he
exclaimed. savagely. Don't stand there
like a bump on a log, Out with it.
can hear anything after what I've
heard for the past three days Have
they lynched him?"
NO. no, Jack: 'tain't nothin' o that
kind" answered the sheriff, soothingly.
Then he's dead" said Jack. simply.
u know. You needn't tell me. He's
dead. He couldn't stand what he's stood
an live. God have mercy on US, what
re can standr' ais hold relaxed. He
drew Of. breathing heavily.
No. he ain't dead" returned the
sheriff He's just told me-he didn't
DO itr'
Jsck was upon him again in a flash,
pinnlng him 20 the wall
What? What he gasped. Didn't
DO it?"
him she hoped he'd swing for it-as
he's likely TO, less we think o some
thin putty dam quick. Think o some
thin. Jack, For Gods sake, think o
somethin'w
The boys has tried once tonight to
get him 70 leave" faltered Mat But
YOU couldn't draw him out with cork
screw They're waitin' downstairs,
they're ready for anythin'. But the
militia's out after 'em. There's a big
resk II you can only think o some
thin"
Think? with a brain like punk!
what on Game a querulous
voice from the bedroom A nightcapped
head appeared in the doorway and was
suddenly withdrawn. with an "Oh, my
suzr OF CONSERVATION.
Bv lust such trining interventions
are lives saved. Jack laughed, and
that laugh sent fresh currents Of re-
newed power through him.
who's downstairs?' he asked
quickly
pick. Jo. Tim-an the boys" an
swered Mat.
Tell 'em 20 come up. Those three.
don't want anybody else"
He was out OF his coat had snapped
of his suspenders and thrown them
.Marthy." he called. bring my
boots"
The nightcapped head again ap-
peared and cautiously inspected the
surroundings.
Come along" he exclaimed good
humoredly. There amt nobody here"
I've got TO gH on some cloes." she
said petulantly. After an interval last
ing several minutes she emerged, ar
rayed in a chintz dressing gown COW
cred with impossible flowers. The
nightcap was still on her head. The
boots were in her hand. She handed
them to him. He put them on.
Belt" he ordered.
She brought it
Corduroy coat"
Il was forthcoming.
When Mat returned with the three
young men, he stood there, Jack Perry
OF old. booted, belted, equipped and
ready.
They came in. full Of excitement. Be-
fore their bustling entrance Marthy
broke and fed.
We can pick him right up said
Tim. Tie amt heavy. TO speak Of"
An tie him on behind one Of u.s."
said 10. He can ride behind me-"
An go-like the devil" finished
Dick. There amt one of those militia
fellers can sit a horse. They never'd
know which way we went"
BE calm, boys" said Jack BE
calm. Be calm as helll There aint no
carryin' of in this It's goin' to be
work. hard. back -breakin' work, aud
you've got 20 stay with IT."
That's all right" said Dick.
"Betcher life" said 10.
We've got Just ten hours TO run 10
Palisade. see the Governor and get
back" said Jack. Hes goin' to be
there tonight"
The eleven-thirty's gone" said 10.
i know that" said Jack We've
got TO take our own private convey
ance- HIS voice had regained its In
vinible drawL 10. go over to McClin-
tock's and tell the station agent-he
hunks there, you'd ought to know him,
names Jones-that Jack Perry wants
a handcar. Jo. you go dip up the tele-
graph operator-he's at the station
and tell him Jack Perry says to clear
the tracks to. Palisade. Tim. you go
along with 10. ] wanter talk with
Mat"
The three hurried away. Jack put
his head IN At the bedroom door
so long. Martha" he called affec-
tionately. III be back-when 1 get
here"
The two men tramped heavily down
the stairs. Lights were out in the sa-
Icon Pere Hyacinthe was closing.
There was no one in the street The
curiosity. the agitation. the anguish
that Aad vibrated chrough the town
during the last three rays were hushed
now. Every one was awaiting the final
act OF the tragedy on the morrow
Jack laid HIS hand on his friends
arm. If you've got any more TO tefl
me-" he said. tell IL now. I've got to
know what TO say 10 the Governor"
Twas this way" said Mat solemn
". "Parson was Eivin' me his last
words. He was sayin' 'twasn't what a
man did alwuz, that thought could