Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-06-14

an n you was q proper an courageous
man. an dooly sincere. you'd sew my
favor on 10 yer hat. even II twas only
bone button. an prove yerself noble
before ye asked me to say Yes or No
or "Mind yer business. concernin' this
here marryin'. There amt no way
for me TO know yer waller. an there's
no chivalry left these days. nohow. an
those woods might be tull OF demon
wolves. an never ono you'd kill fer
me-"
Her words came forth with an I'M
wonted sputter. while she eyed the
nearby woods a. n expecting to see
demon wolf issue thsrefrom forth
with. Silas looked upon her oddly.
"If you was my wife. or would prom
ise to splice up along Of me. Id wear
yer ribbon. or button. or anything OF
your'n. but fist now I'm wearin' a rib
bon fer somebody else"
oh! 20 70 are; an whose. may I
askr
my little gel's." said he.
"Oh!"
They were silent some time.
"Then you don't think you no-ways
could this mornin'?" Silas moved on
slowly. And never turn turned he
to look upon her; but the book was
neglected, while she watched him. and
her, lips quivered q time or two.
With the baby mounted high. and
chuckling merrily. Jud went forth to
his work that morning. grinning and
joking the little one. signing and drop
ping long Jaw for himself. Soon she
was babbling In the woods with her
toys-a headless doll. badly-warped
napkin ring. and long row Of fresh
chips, clean from the glittering steel.
and yet redolent OF the pine. From
log to log went Silas. hewing his way
vigorously, II not valiantly. and glanc-
ing at the baby between the scuddins
bits that few from the polished edge.
Presently. his measure along the
log wherein he worked brought him
opposite tree that hid the little one
from sight. Well. he would rush II
the faster, he thought, and he did.
Suddenly. above the noise Of his echo
ings blows. came shrill call:
Papa! mamma! papa!"
Like one possessed, he bounded over
fallen tree toward the baby. And
he nearly reeled with the stroke OF
his heart, for out Of the copse. sway
ing heavily on its silent feet. came
gaunt grizzly bear. with blazing. hun
cry eyes.
"Hoi!" Jud halloed. in a fearful
voice. rushing madly forward; and he
felt his flesh creep all a-chill at the
size OF the monster.
1t stopped. lcered at him malicious
ly, and swung itself erect. with q
movement at once active and awkward.
coming forward to meet him as II well
aware that he must first be dealt with.
Without q sign Of fear. Jud leaped
straight In front Of the beast, and
swung his az at its head. The huge
brute lodged, saving its skull. but sac
rifcing half Of Its left paw. Enraged
with pain, 4 stood again, and came
at him, CORY and roaring. Again the
axman struck. but not 30 skillfuliy.
and the bear warded with his other
paw, with such accuracy and force as
to strike the handle heavy blow that
sent the weapon hurting away, end
over end.
With q fiendish snnct the bear
closed In. The scream a some one
who had hurried there. startled by the
baby's call, attracted only seconds
notice from the animal. but in that M.
ment Jud whipped out long, keen
edged bowie knife, and crouched 10
strike.
Fierce, then, and furious the scene.
Grasping the man about the shout
ders, daubing him. chest and neck and
back with the bleeding paw, tearing
away the clothes and flesh from his
breast and arms, raking him again and
again with its claw-armed hind fee,
the grizzly seemed very demon in
deed.
Into the reeking, hairy body the MAI
drove the steel time after time. but
his stabs were far too short, the hide
was far to thick. and the bears vitality
most wonderful. Forward they tram
pled. backward they staggered, in a
seemingly endless struggle. Yet 1t
could last but little longer, for the man
now bled rpm gashes deep and long,
scored ON his arms, legs and body; his
strength waned; and his thrusts with
the knife seemed almost useless.
Backward Silas went. He knew that
he should fall in moment, and tho
thought Of what would happen was
maddening. He lunged again. des-
perateiy, stabbing the blade In to
the hilt; he felt the huge brute culver
then somebody came and raped
furious tattoo on the back Of the ant
mails head with q rafting umbrella.
that cracked and bruised in manner
20 utterly agEravating that the crea-
ture was glad to drop the man anG
turn. Keeling forward. Jud grabbed
his az and looked.
strangest Of sightsi The Widow
n