Sharp County record., 1907-06-21

He sprang from his horse and bur
led his face in the coolness. Unsad'
ling 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 rippes up their tired
necks Even after they had enough,
they kept their noses in the apprecl-
ated nectar 10th to leave, and Win
eyes half closed in contentment.
Busted at fire 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 a Colt As and waited behind a
tavoring shelter
The newcomer came more plainly
into view, zgzagging along the al
most indiscernible way. Trails Jnat
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, | 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,
why I'm Jim Throng. Don't
know me in this growth, Ell? Remem-
Der when | gave you that scar with
Jemima's chicken hatchet when we
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 1t,
tell you; but I've got the dust at
last"
Jim drew from his shirt a bag and
fingered its yellow contents.
AT the mines" he explained, More
In the pack, too pointing to where
It lay,
Tell me all about it, Jim" said
Tom thumblng and lighting a we'll.
crusted pipe, IT'S been at least seven
years since I've seen you
Quiet had come upon him and he
lay back in attentive attitude
"Well' began jim, 81 ran away
west before you did Ups and downs!
or course, most downs. Then I struck
Patio back here strip, Pretty decent
place, Ever hit it?"
Just come from there yesterday"
drawed Tom In answer
Then you know It, Well, rioted
around the place little till fell in
love with as pretty girl as you ever
did see Such a race-hand--footl"
"So?' smiled Tom,
yep, ! didn't have any WhereWlth,
10 the old man--nIce old chap, too
told me If I'd buck up aud win out
could have her"
she love you, too?"
Said she did Anyway, she prom.
ised both tho old man and me she'd
marry me when I came back. ! struck
for the mines, and by Cad rye won
out, az you see, and back / go, Won.
der I'm lIttle loyful?"
II should say not My hand on II,
jim"
They spread out their blankets feet
to the dying fire, and adjusted the
high cantled saddles for pillows jim
was the first TO reach that quiet pre-.
coding sleep, and just before ne slid
from consciousness hc mumured a
girls namo,
The sting Of that name, so unexpeet.
ed brought Tom to sitting posture,
The rising moon, in prairie clearness,
uhone on his banched face.
He quietly lighted u match and.
pipe between knees sat until the gray
dawn that Ghlls the toes. Little By
little chat Old grim determination got.
q