Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-18

w were taxing SnaQracn rom
 F-sSsTSsss] the pung a boot crunched the
 EzsexW snow behind them. They turned, and there was Lounsbury, fairly bursting to tell his good news.
 When he had told it he was anxious
 to get away again, for by quick re-
 treat the two girls might be saved the
 knowledge of the Clark episode, and
 he very probable second insult. But
 the evangelist, having no wish to tat
 tie about Lancaster. yet hoping that
 the elder girl would learn what her father had done and administer a de-
 served rebuke, urged him in.
 The storeteeper did not consent to
 enter the shack, however, until Dallas
 added her invitation and then he went reluctantly. He was accustomed to
 courtesy there on the frontier. The
 plains bred men that he knew instinc-
 lively took him at his real valuation
 and treated him accordingly. The men
 of a more conventional strata (the pro-
 fessional men of Bismarck and those who oflicered at the posts up and down the river) freely bestowed their friend ship upon him. The lawless element respected him, too, and showed that respect by letting him severely alone. He shrank from placing himself where a man like Lancaster - crippled, old and therefore beyond disciplining - could have the chance to repeat an affront. And he shrank at the thought of clash-it meant pain for two help less women. Nevertheless he yielded.
 The streamers were gone from the sky by then. They had faded as quick ly as they had come. Once more. un- der dome of cobalt, the river flowed black between it's fringe of trees and the prairie stretched white and still.
 A bright fire and a swinging coffee pail welcomed the three as the door swung wide, and the section boss, w-.O was urging Marylyn to rustic some grub" turned with a testy word. But he fell silent when he saw Lounsbury and edged into the dusky shelter of the hearthside.
 The storekeeper nodded to him, shook hands absently with the young CT girl and took a bench. His face looked less full than usual and was lighted by no hearty smiles.
 Little was said until breakfast was ready-a quick breakfast of bacon, i pone and coffee. The three men warm cd themselves. The girls moved be- tween fireplace and tabla But when | the plates were set and the coffee poured David BOnd asked for the story | of Matthews doings. of the affair at | ihe saloon, the meeting with Colonel Cummings and the council. Dallas and Marylyn heard it from where they stood together. before the blaze. Lan- saster heard it. though he pretended not to. eating and drinking the while with angry smacks.
 Lounsbury paid no attention to the ection boss-fn fact. before his recital vas done. he had forgotten him. He aiked quietly and without bOasting. lis face now turned to David Bond. low to the girls.
 And you think said the evangelist. vhen the story was finished. you hink that Matthews will drop his laIm tO the beEd:"
 LOunsbury arose as if to go, and for be first time since his entrance looked quarely at I.ancaster. This is what
 think" he answered. ~In Dakota. if man jumps land that hasn't been i'm roved. all he's got t0 do is to hang on D it-dOn't have to rassie with any ne points of law. This far west of tuffed chairs there's a whole lot of ublic sentiment" He crossed the room nd picked up coat and cap. -Of course.- added David Bond. , following the law would strengthen le csse-- '7Of cUurSe-- The secti01 boss adjusted his -utches and stood up- ~YOu-aT seem
 he settIin' it 'th0gt any O my lip ? sah and lsugh@d mockingiT-
 We have y0gr interests at hesrt.- Ilied tie st9-ekseper.
 Ianczster 1ogrd his teeth Now ,zt all 6aZze- was pest he felt 10 for the ruztfng of Natthewx -d ths s1rztezT at the Troopers De sAL He co1d ozII feel that his .r-