The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-07-26
There, In nest Of green, trictied

led his face in the GOODNESS. Unsad-
ding his mount, he took the pack
from the other pony and led them to
the water. The worn animals drank
their fill, the undulations of swallow
ing running ripples up their tired
necks. Even after they had enough,
they kept their noses in the apprecl-
ated nectar 10th to leave and with
eyes half closed in contentment
Busted at fre-making, the man
caught sight of a speck that was
heading towards the clump of trees
from the west Leading his horses
aside, he stamped out the new blaze,
drew Colt As and waited behind a
favoring shelter.
The newcomer came more plainly
into view, zig-zagging along the al.
most indiscernible way. Trails that
lead anywhere are never straight.
The features of the man in waiting
tensioned. The man from the west
swung along in the easy abandon Of
one who has found good berth.
I Within so feet of meeting the hid
den pack animal coughed. The new
conner Strengthened drew, and scanned.
The man in ambush holstered his
weapon, stepped with easy nonchal.
ance into view and sang out:
"Heigho! You shore travel mighty
quiet Come on up Just building a
blaze Allfred fine Jay for the night,
amt IT."
The others attitude eased and he
rode on Zip, followed by pack.weight.
ed burro.
Gave me sort Of jolt" said he.
you know. ! didn't see you at all"
Haven't been here long myself,
I was the'answer from the lips that had
| not yet lost their determined set, al
though the tone of voice was genial
and the welcome had the note of
heartiness.
The new man dismounted and jan.
gled his way up TO the other.
"Shake!' said he.
The other stretched out his hand.
"Tom WORTH exclaimed the ar
rival
yes, but how the devil did you
know it?"
why, I'm Jim Throng. Don't
know me in this growth, eh? Remem
Der when gave you that scar with
Iemima's chicken hatchet when VIC
were kids playing Indians back yon
der?'
Toms firm mouth supplied, and he
smiled in quiet reminiscence.
We'll" said he, I'm more surprised
than you are, for / sure wasn't expect
ing to meet--you."
They hustled about frying.pan and
coffee, and, with the accompaniment
Of the nearby crunching beasts, they
sat about their meal.
Say, Tom, I've been through It,
tell you; but I've got the dust a
last"
Jim drew from his shirt bag anC
fingered it's yellow contents.
AT the Mines" he explained. "Mort
in the pack, too" pointing to whert
It lay
Tell me all about II, Jim" sal,
Tom. thumbing and lighting a well
crusted pipe. ITS been at least sever
| years SINCE We seen you.
Quiet had come upon him and h
lay back in attentive attitude.
We'll" began Jim, Il ran ava,
west before you did. Ups and downs
OF course, most downs Then strucI
Patio back here a strip. Pretty decen
place. Ever hit it?"
Just come from there yesterday,
drawled Tom in answer.
Then you know it Well, / riote
around the place little TIL fell Il
love with as pretty a girl as you eve
did see. Such ace-hand-foot!"
"So?' smiled Tom.
yep | didn't have any wherewith
so the old man-nice old chap, too
told me IL I'd buck up and win out
could have her."
She love you, too?"
said she did. Anyway, she prom
ised both the old man and me She
marry me when | came back. struc
, for the mines, and, by Cad! I've wo
out, as you see, and back | go. WoI
der I'm little joyful?"
81 should say not. My hand on 1
, Jim"
They spread out their blankets, fee
1 to the dying fire, and adjusted tn
high cantled saddles for pillows. Jill
was the first to reach that quiet pr,
ceding sleep and just before no sll
, from consciousness he murmured
1 girls name.
2 The sting of that name, so unexpec
> ed, brought Tom to sitting posture
The rising moon, in prairie clearnes
: shone on his blanched face.
/. lie quietly lighted match an,
2 pipe between knees sat until the gra
. dawn that chills the toes. Little b
0 little that old, grim determination Sc
/. tied itself back into those hard line
e of fixity
{ As the red streaks first appeared /
}, rose calmly drew a service-wor
!. sheath-knife and stepped over towaI
!, the sleeping man. Jim moved and III
:. bag of gold.dust fell from his shir
@ front Tom reached for 1t and tosse
1t aside. II fell near a grazing pom
i The animal snuffed at the pouch, the
turnad acida and c1innad anotb,