Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-06-29

heard the voice of Bering as 1t thun-
dered on the Golden Sands, and knew
that the first great storm OF the fall
had come. Henceforth he saw that the
violence Of men would rival the rising
elements, for the deeds Of this night
would stir their passions as Aeolus
was rousing the hate of the sea.
He neglected to bolt the house door
q she entered but flung off his drip.
ping coat and, Selling pad and pencil,
scrawled his message. The wind
screamed about the cabin, the lamp
1ared smokily, and Glenister felt a
draught suck past him as though from
an open door at his back as he wrote:
i can't do anything more. The end
has come and it has brought the ha-
tired and bloodshed that have been
trying to prevent. l Skayed the game
according to your rules, but they
forced me back to the first principles
in spite OF myself, and now l don't
know what the finish will be- Tomor-
row will tell Take care of your uncle.
and If you should wish to communicate
with me, go to Cherry Malotte. She is
a friend to us both
Always your servant,
Roy Glenister."
AS he sealed this he paused, while
he felt the hair on his neck rise and
bristle and chill race up his spine.
His heart fluttered, then pounded on
ward till the blood thumped audibly
at his ear-drums and he found himself
swaying in rhythm to its beat. The
muscles of his back cringed and rip
pied at the proximity of some lowering
peril, and yet an Irresistible feeling
forbade him to turn. A sound came
from close behind his chair-the drip,
drip, drip of water. 1t was not from
the caves, nor yet from faulty shin
gle. His back was to the kitchen door,
through which he had come; and, al
though there were no mirrors before
him, he felt menacing presence as
surely as though 1t had touched him.
His ears were turned to the finest pin
pricks of sound, so that he heard the
faint, signing "squish'' OF a sodden
shoe upon which weight had been
shifted. Still something chained him
to his seat. 1t was as though his soul
laid a restraining hand upon his body,
waiting for the instant.
He let his hand seek his hip care.
lessly, but remembered where his gun
"et'- A'ASSAeiHlSoIyp ACa d0uiC SSOQ Iu''
note in shaking characters, while be-
hind him sounded the constant drip,
drip, drip that he knew came from Sat.
urated garments. For long time he
sat. till he heard the stealthy click 81
gun-lock muffled by finger pressure
Then he set his face and slowly turned
| to find the Bronco Kid standing be-
hind him as though risen from the sea,
his light clothes wet and clinging, his
feet conferred in spreading puddle.
The dim light showed the convulsive
fury OF his features above the levelled
weapon, whose hammer was curled
back like the head of striking adder,
his eyes cleaning with frenzy. Glen
ister's mouth was powder dry, but his
mind was leaping riotousiy like dust
before a gale, for he OWNED himself
to be in the deadliest peril Of his liz Z.
When he spoke the calmness OF lnis
voice surprised himself.
What's the matter, Bronco?" The
Kid made no reply, and Roy repeated.
What do you want?"
That's hell of question" the
gambler said, hoarsely. Il want you,
of course, and I've got YOU
Hold up! / am unarmed. This Is
your third try, and want to know
what's back of 1t.
Damn the TALK cried the faro.