Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-03
THE SQUAW MAN
A FAvERsHAm
by Harper 4 BroJ

Of the code OF life that followed in
Maverick He knew how to win them, so
he began:
"Well. boys. I don't want to drag YOU
into my quarrel II You feel that way
about indians" He was about 10 add
| Pull up. boss; faint fair to ulIllc us
look as If we were trying TO sneak out OF
n scrap. 1t was only the cause OF 81. You
amt got gutter in your gang and you
Il know 1t. Shorty" Jim was obliged 70
laush at the eager faces of the three men
VINO stooi close to him. like excited chill
| dren waiting TO be understood.
| We'll, don't say anything more about
II. VIII you! Lots Shorty put out his
Jim grasped It. Let It go at that Jim
finished. You understand that You are to
I game"
Blll. who had been listening 10 II all,
drew Jim aside. He preferred peace, but
Knew that they and Carston's ranch stood
! marked for the crowd TO teer at for all
| tlme unless they did what was expected OF
| them by the laws of the COW town made
by Its men, not by the government that
they abused
| Bud HARDY. the county sheriff Is standing
Just behind YOU at the bar. and he's par
ticuiar thick with Cash. Got to take him
| into account
Jim nodded; with his arm through Bilrs
he crossed TO side entrance and stood
| under the porch. He wanted To discuss
Andy stood up against the bar and treated
their particular friends to drinks They
felt 1t was going to e a red letter day
for Carston's ranch.
Outside the Overland Limited footed at
, intervals, and sent up shrill whistles, but
! made no attempt to leave Maverick Ono
oflcials information was denied by the
| next one Passengers had come in and had
gone again-some of them frightened. some
disguised by the life of the saloon A lit
tie farther down the line others OF the
hx
| Indians who, at the news OF the trains
stopping. had hurried to the railroad.
Cash's departure had allowed the place
| to grow quiet. Even Nick hoped he would
not find his men and return. There was
a sudden shunting of the train. and the
rear car moved back into more direct view
| of the saloon. Diana, tired of the wait,
had finally persuaded Sir John and Henry
to alight and see the place. They all en-
! tered together
| by Joye, what a rum holer' Sir John
| exclaimed. ,
Hello, there's a faro tablet, exclaimed
| Henry. I
| All that Diana said was Il thought YOU
| had given up play, Henry
| He shrugged his shoulders.
| OF course, my dear but a little spot to
kill the tedium Of this internal wait--the
monotony of the thing is getting on my
nerves. john will you look after Di while
l at least watch the gamer"
Delighted" Sir John replied but his
anxious face showed that he thoroughly
d4sapproved Of the proceedings. Really.
! DIANA" he began, let me prevail upon you
to leave here. Any one who remains In
a, place of this kind is, taking chances
Nonsense; it all looks deadly dull to
| me-"
The men. recognizing a quietly gowned
| gentlewoman, paid no attention to them.
! Why, I'm not afraid, John. What's La
| Bile to happen?'
Sir John Applegates mind was flied with
stories of the west he had heard and read
| In his boyhOod DAYS H..
| why. these desperadoes are liable to
come IN here and request you to dance
| dance for their amusement by Jove"
We'll, what of that? We don't do it,
Diana teasingly interrupted.
Oh yes. my dear Diana, We do do it,
| The request is an order. you know-obliga.
tory-oh. quite. Because. believe me-, Il
| We do not accede to their absurd request.
| they playfully shoot your toes Off by Jovel
| They are shockingly rude by Jova, these
chaps believe me-oh. Shockingly,''
| Diana looked about the room.
I've read of such things, but I don't
| believe they happen-do you?'
| Henry was lost to them in the crowd
| around the faro table. Several other pas
sengers from the train had joined him.
| Sir John really did not like the look OF the
| place; at the moment he caught Peta's eyes
! fastened in amusement on him. He drew
| Diana TO one corner and they did so
they came within range of Jim's sight He
| was coming in to join Shorty and explain
what he and Bill had decided to do when
Cash returned. AS he saw Diana he In
| voluntarily drew back 1t was only one
of the ola tormenting visions that had re-
| turned, he thought. He drew his hands
! over his eyes-but no, he saw her agdini
| Impossible. He leaned forward-it was Di,
and in Maverick! In spite of the sudden
! pain and bewiderment he smiled as he
realized how the unexpected played its
| part in life. Di in Maverick,
| There was no time to reason 1t out. He
could not see Henry. only Sir John IIo
| saw Diana watching with curiosity the
! place and its occupants. He mingled quick
| ly with the crowd at the bar, hoping they
| would leave shortly.
Sir John was continuing his TRADE against
| the ranchmen. and vainly trying to per-
| suade Diana to return to the car. She
was examining some crude pictures on the
| walls.
When they wish" Sir John said. ".heso
| fellows shoot out the lights the windows,
and the bar furnishings. They are very
| whimscal-thats the American humor that
/ they so much talk about 1 don't care for
WITNESSES myself" Diana began To laugh.
! Really, she was thinking. she had never
| known how absurd ard old-womanish Sit
| John could be. But he continued: Then Il
| you don't fit to respond to their silly
gayety, they kill you, by Jove! that's ail. L
| cant see the joke of it. you know. For ex-
| ample. one of them comes in here and in
vites US all, believe me- to drink with him.
| It's not the proper thing to reply, Thanks
awfully, old chap, but I'm not thirsty or
| I've Just had a drink. or 'Excust me.
| won't YOU because II you say that he's
i very angry, don't you know. You havo
o1Iered MIN deadly insult; he does not
| know you; never you before hopes
never to see you again, and yet If ,ou 10
not drink something which you do not
want he kills you. That's deliciously whim-
| steal now, isn't it?'
Cousin john. If l didn't know your repu.
tation as soldier. I'd think you wers
afraid" Diana. followed by Sir John,
| moved nearer the corner where Jim was
standing. =
Jim could see the sweet beauty of her
face. He felt a sudden dizziness. 1t was
more than he could endure. He started to
leave, when he felt BilPs hand his
| shoulder. -
This place is too stuffy for me: must
| get out into the air. he explained.
Leave the saloon now, Jim" Bill eX-
| claimed, in amazement. Surely Jim WAS
| not weakening IF you amt here to face
| Cash Hawkins when he comes back YOU
| lose your standing among the people with
whom you live. You amt ago!n to DO
| that you, boy?" -
"Oh. yes-Cash." With the rem ambiance
of Hawkins came the resolve to remain in
the saloon until Diana left He must be
there to protect her IL necessary. ia for
gotten Cash l was thinking OF something