Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-06-20

SpTl0S.
He sprang from his horse and bur.
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
nocks. Even after they had enough,
they kept their noses in the appreci-
atcd nectar, 10th to leave, and with
eyes half closed in contentment.
Busted at fire-making, the man
caught sight of 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 tnat
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 a good berth.
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. ALFRED fine lay for the night,
amt it?"
The others attitude eased and he
rode on up, followed by a pack-weight-
ed burro.
Gave me sort of a jolt" said he.
You know, I didn't see you at all"
Haven't been here long myself"
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?"
know me in this growth, Ell? Remem-
Der when l gave you that scar with
Jemima's chicken Ratchet when we
were kids playing Indians back yon.
der?"
Toms firm mouth supplied, and he
smiled in quiet "reminiscences.
Well" 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 al
last"
Jim drew from his shirt bag and
fingered it's yellow contents.
AT the mines" he explained. More
in the pack, too" pointing to where
it lay.
Tell me all about it, JIM" sale
Tom, thumbing and lighting a well
crusted pipe. IT'S been at least sever
years since I've seen you
Quiet had come upon him and he
lay back in attentive attitude.
We'll" began Jim, Il ran away
west before you did. Ups and downs
OF course, most downs. Then | struck
Patio back here strip, Pretty decent
place. Ever hit it?"
Just come from there yesterday,
drawled Tom in answer.
Then you know it. Well, l rioted
around the place little till / fell in
love with as pretty a girl as you ever
did see Such a face-hand-foot!"
"So?" smiled Tom.
Yep. | didn't have any wherewith
so the old man-nice old chap, too
told me if 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'c
marry me when / came back. | strucl
for the mines, and, by Cad! I've wor
out, as you see, and back | go. Won
der I'm little Joyful"
Il should say not My hand on it
jim"
They spread out their blankets, fee
to the dying fire, and adjusted tn
high cantled saddles for pillows. jim
was the first to reach that quiet pre-
ceding sleep, and just before he sill,
from consciousness he murmured
girls name.
The sting Of that name, so unexpect
ed, brought Tom to a sitting posture
The rising moon. in prairie clearness
shone on his blanched face.
He quietly lighted a match and
pipe between knees sat until the gra
dawn that Chills the toes. Little b
little that old, grim determination sci
tied itself back into those hard line
; of flXity.
As h., a Cd, H.. A.