Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-15


 voice in an amused, ironical tone. "'Well," 1t said slowly, q hope you're enjoying yourself"
 Matthews whirled and reached for
 weapon. He was too late. As he swung it forward the single eye of a revolver held his. Beyond was Louns-
 bury
 A queer tremor ran around the store keepers mouth. His nostrils swelled, and he wrinkled his forehead. "Sor- ry," he said dryly, "but it's my bead"
 Sheer surprise, together with lack of breath, made the other dumb.
 Drop your gun," bade Lounsbury.
 Matthews right hand loosed its hold. His revolver fell and slid, spinning, to the bottom of the drift.
 "Now, know all you want to say," said Lounsbury; ''that this claim is yours, that your six months ain't up, that Lancaster's jumped it, and so on. But that won't excuse what you've tried to do-break into this house while these young women are alone. Re- sides, you haven't the ghost of a right 90 this land. So you'll obl1ge me py keeping off it from now on."
 Matthews found his tongue. "Who in hell are you?" he demanded coolly.
 "Who am r." repeated the storekeep- CT, smiling down the revolver barrel, "why, I'm St. George, and you're the dragon" He raised his voice Miss Lancaster" he called. Miss Lancas- teri!
 A face appeared at window, then second. There were more cries, but not of fear The sash was pushed open. Dallas and Marylyn, the young CT girl still clinging to the elder, look ed out.
 Its all right" said the storekeeper, not taking his eyes from the enemy. "Pm here"
 Dallas could not answer. But Mary lyn, though exhausted, was fully alive to their rescue. Her eyes, wide and fearful, were fixed upon Lounsbury.
 '0h, we're afraidw she cried plain lively. Pas gone, and we're afraid"
 You needn't be any more," he said 
 Matthews under his breath was CUTS ing the self contained man in the sad dle. Enraged at the storekeeper's ln- hot with disappointment, he saw himself stood up like a tender foot But his caution prevailed. A expression in Lounsbury's eyes. a certain square set to his jaw, the very cues that guided the cattle camp, made him cautious.
 Look a.here.' he said to Louns- bury. assuming a conciliatory manner. Let's talk as one gent to another. These ladies Is your friends. So far so good. But I has my rights, an I can prove that slep' on this quarter section three times and
 Lounsbury's face darkened. He was lightly ironical no longer. He urged his mount forward. Don't argue with me. you internal blackguard." he said. You can prove anything you want to by a lot of perjuring, thieving land grsbbers. Don't I know 'em! If you filed on this claim you were hired to do It. You hadn't an idea of settling or building a home. You did it for speculating purposes-nothing else. And the law, happen to know. is lead against that You're a shark. But your game won't work. These 1 folks are going to stay in this shack 1, and On this bend. And you be mighty 1 careful you don't make 'em any trou- 1 ble--
 'T1l git a Bismarck lawyer" de- 1 ,lared Matthew's "Yes. and we'll tar and feather the shyster. Whats more. I'll head a bunch of Clsrk's boys. and we'll wipe . Shanty Town or the face of the earth.' ! Matthews raised bis shoulders and . put his tongue in his cheek. ~Yoa're ! mighty interested in these ladies. 7 seems t me- he said insinuatingiy. 1 The slur did not escape the store zeeper. It dets-mined him to pariey . D further. Hoist your hands- he -ouuanded-
 Matthews ohryed His fingers were .wftchinE The next es1nsrd was curt Mo iey-
 The other Uoved away When he ! zas beyond pistol range be PrOd8esd i .is secuzd revolver and waved it above Is head -Toz jus wzitr he stoated 'Yo1 jzs wzIf. I'll EHyr
 Legzsbury reUT1ed hs1 a EocFA-s