Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-05
THE SQUAW MAN
A NOVEL FAvERsHAM
By 4 Bro,

reached the doors Jim said to Bud. who
was advancing to formally arrest him.
Wait a minute. Take the trouble to ex-
anime my gum.
Bud lifted Jim's gun and looked at it
closely. "Well?" he asked
You see 1t hasn't been discharged"
Bud quickly verified the fact that the gun
was completely loaded He paused a mo-
ment irresolute. Then, with sudden sus-
picion. he said:
you've had time to reload it,
The men were eagerly watching the
scene between the two men.
Smell it, Jim said, quietly. Il haven't
had time to clean it.
Ali" Bill breathed. 1t was like Jim
to play the trump card
Bud Hardy lifted the revolver to his nose.
1t was as clean and shsmelling as a
that it had not been used. and Jim had
all these men as witnesses to prove It, 1t
J would e'useless to thy to make case OF
this. Bud knew when he was beaten. He
took the revolver and handed it to Jim.
We'll, who did 1t, them" He glanced at
Jim's men. Would you's all oblige me
by giving me a sniff of your guns?'
The relief was so great that the men
Historically crowded Bud. and almost as
one man they thrust their revolvers into
Buds face.
Here's my smoke" said one
Bud drew back. "One at a. time-one al
| a time he gasped-"if you please"
Then one by one the men filed past him
as each held his revolver to Buds nose.
Here's my smoke machine Bill said
1t was passed by Bud without word
''Und mine" said Andy.
Grouchy jerked his into Buds face with
the words. Here's mine and not notch
| on IT. And Bud could not deny the truth
of the assertion.
All that Shorty nervously demanded was.
"How's that?" as he jerked the revolver
| into Buds face.
| In Maverick this was evidence enough
| for Bud-evidence that SO far all were free
| to go.
| he growled. annoyed at the turn affairs
| had taken. Then he saw the expression on
! their faces. laughter and gee as they
crowded around Jim; when they looked at
him. tolerant amusement. The smelling
of the smoke-maehines they regarded as a
| fine new move on their part.
D It," Bud Numbered. you've been
astringin' me while the guilty mans es-
capped; but I'll git him-I'll git him yet"
Jim saved! It was all that the boys
| wanted. With whoop-la they tore after
Bud. Down the platform they fled. all In
excitement with the new sensation Of the
moment-the hunt with Bud for the guilty
man.
Near the table lay a gray glove. Jim
! stopped and picked it up and put it quietly
to his lips. Bill who had fingered near
the door. suddenly turned and came back
to Jim and put his arm about him.
You just escaped lynchin', Jimy.' AnC
He held the glove folded close in his
hand as he answered, Yes, I'm almost
sorry"
Bits face became grave. What did the
boss mean? Was the game too hard for
him? Was he afraid he would lose on the
ranch deal? He patted him tenderly, al
most like a mother humoring maynard
child. without saying a word. Jim sank
into a chair. Bill understood-the boss
would like to be alone. SO he sauntered
up to the back and Joined Nick. In his
heart there was but one thought: Jim
should see how well they would all serve
him. He swore q mighty oath that he
would see the others did so. too.
Left alone, Jim sat staring straight
| ahead Of him. Suddenly he realized that
the body Of Cash Hawkins was still lying
| there. He shuddered at the cruel forget
fulness of the men. He leaned forward
and spoke his thoughts aloud:
who killed Cash Hawkins?
He felt a sudden touch on his hand: he
turned; there, kneeling at his feet, was
Nat-u-ritch, who had entered unobserved
and crept beside him. AS he looked at
her she drew herself up nearer to- him,
and leaning her chin on her hand. said:
ME kill um."
Jims only answer was to place his hand
over her face while he hurriedly looked
about the saloon. No one could have
heard her. He drew her to her feet and
motfoned her to co. saying that he would
follow shortly
That night Jim learned the truth. and his
friendship with Nat-u-ritch began.
Go be Continued Tomorrow