Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-07
CHAPTER XIX-Continued.

had told them. They began shutting their
| feet as though about to leave. Each one
thought perhaps 1t would be as we'll to
walt until the next day. Shorty s!gnaled
them to come on, but Jim stopped them.
Boys. l hear you're getting anxious
about your pay. I don't blame you. My
affairs are In bad way. but l don't ex
pect any one to share my bad luck. You've
| earned your money. I'll sec that you get
It."
AS Jim spoke he drew from his pocket
| several small boxes and from his belt an
old wallet. Il have some useless old rink
cts here that have been knocking around in
my trunk for years. II you will take them
| TO town, where people wear such things.
you will get enough for them to wipe out
| my account and something to boot for long
service and good will Andy's snifties were
the only answer that followed Jim turned
| to him. ANDY
But Andy refused the package "Und
say, boss. IND say. 1 ain't kickin'. Und
say, l can trust you"
Jim only tossed the box into his hands.
Shorty" he said. as he slapped the wallet
| across the little fellows shoulder.
'Oh. I'd rather not" Shorty shamefacedly
answered. Gee. but this is tough work."
he muttered to himself.
Jim smiled. You must take It, please
The man who refuses throws suspicion on
the value Of my junk You won't do that.
I'm sure" And the wallet slid into Shorty's
hand.
Grouchy. you can have my repeating
rife.' he added. And now. goodnight.
I'll see you tomorrow for ,-.e last time"
So this was to be the end Of their associa-
ton with the boss. Would he try to shoul-
der the wlrk pf ia
seconds reflection told them that this
would be impossible. 1t was to be really
the end of Carston's ranch. The three men
stood staring at Jim. Bill. at the back of
the hut, as he heard the words 8; * down
on a rough bench. This was what had
come of the days Of silence on Jims part !;
In each mans heart there was an unspeak-
able emotion at the dissolution of their
companIonship.
Suddenly down the road they heard the
clatter Of horses. Then the whoop-la of q
crowd or men. and a stentorian voice called
Hello, any one to home at Carstons
ranch?"
Shorty and Andy hurried to meet the
newcomers 1t was Bud Hardy. the sher-
swarming all over the place. and carrying
| with them the smell of alkali and the heat
Of the plains. Dripping with perspiration.
stained and worn with their travel. they
were they with heavy caking Of dust.
One felt the parched fever Of their thirst
as they stood asking hospitality of the
ranch. Jim advanced to meet them.
Hello. folks" Bud called. as the men
OF the ranch welcomed his men. Then he
came toward Jim. who shook hands with
him.
Why, how are you sherifr?'
Since the day at Maverick when the
| sheriff had tried to arrest him, Jim had
often seen Bud. He was never sure of the
| Big Bill had often discussed Buds unfitness
| for the power he held In lie place, but he
gave no sign Of this In his greeting.
Buds great frame lowered above the
others. He seemed more ELUSIVE and ex-
cited than the occasion warranted and Big
Bits brows rose questionngly as he saw
The demonstrative way in which he greeted
Jim.
"Howdy. Mr.. Carston-howdy? KNOWN
the hospitality of this here outfit We most
killed ourselves to git here, to say nothin'
Of the horses. We left them leanin' up
against the corral. the worst done up
| cayuses." Then directly in appeal to Jim.
| night. Mr.. Carston."
With cordial gesture of invitation. Jim
| said. You and the boys are welcome
sheriff. and what We lack in grub and ac-
commodat tons we'll hope to make UP to you
| in good will"
| triumph at Clarke. a prominent worker in
| his posse. The pale face of Clarke gave
| back a glance Of comprehension as he low
cred his white-lashed eyelids over his bulg-
ing eyes All this was observed by Bill.
who sauntered toward the sheriff as Bud
answered Jim.
Whats good enough for you all Is good
Jims hand again why. hello" he fin
ished, as he saw Bill and turned to greet
him.
Amy news?" Bill laconically asked, as he
studied Bud and his men.
Nothin' OF any consequence" said Bud.
I'VE Just had little fracas down at the
agency. Total result. one Injln killed"
A shout of approval rose from the boys,
but Clarke broke in with another gufraw
And the joke Of 1t Is. Bud killed the wrong
man"
But nothin' to 1t. All in a days work."
Bud laughingly explained.
You look tired. sheriff." Jim said. THE
boys will take you to their quarters. Shorty,
you and the others make the sheriff and his
people feel at home"
There was a murmur of approval Come
on. said Shorty, and the men started for
their quarters Shorty, who loved bossing
an affair almost better than teasing. swept
them all on before him. Then he linked
his arm through Buds.
Say. Bud I'll bet you a saddle to a
shoestring you never roped the man who
killed Cash Hawkins at Maverick"
Clarke. who seemed deliberately to keep
near Bud. gave involuntary look Of
surprise at the sheriff. but the flash of
anger on Buds blowsed. crimson face,
oh" Bud said. lightly. that was years
and years ago. Shorty. and with his arm
about him he followed the men toward their
quarters.
Clarke fingered to cast furtive glance at
the hut and stables. but only for a mo-
ment. for he quickly realized that Bill was
intently watching him.
Jim turned to go to the house-then
paused. He could see Bill against the hitch
ing-post tearing straw into wisps that
fluttered and fell lifeless to the ground
There was not enough breeze to carry even
strand away. He must speak to Bill, but
how could he express anything Of the desc
lation he felt at this parting OF their
ways.
BILL" he began. in low voice-and Bill,
who OWNED the words that were about to
follow. made no answer he only held
tighter to the post. He could hardly see
the boss: blur swept before his eyes. He
made no effort to move; he felt he could
not.
bill" said Jim again. as he came to
him.. you must get out and look for an
other job" Jim clnched his hands tight as
he added. "I'll be sorry to lose you, old
man.
Il know you WILL" Bill huskily answered.
as he kept his eyes lower to the ground
Then. almost In growl. he questioned.
And what are you going to do. boss?'
The despair of a broken mans life an
swered Bill as Jim said in a level fat tona