Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-04-30
There. in . nest of green, trickled

from the other pony and led them to the water. The worn animals drank their fill, the undulations of swallow ing running ripples up their tired necks. Even after they had enough. they kept their noses in the appreci- ated nectar. 10th to leave, and with eyes half closed in contentment.
 Busted at flre-making. the man caught sight of 8 speck that was heading towards the clump of trees from the west. Leading his horses aside, he stamped out the new blaze, drew Colt 45 and waited behind a favoring shelter
 The newcomer came more plainly into view, zig-zagging along the al- most indiscernib!e way. Trails that 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 50 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. All-fired fine lay for the night. ain't it?"
 The others attitude eased and he rode on up. followed by pack-weight- ed burro.
 Gave me sort of 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, eh? 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.
 Well" 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, I tell you; but Two 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 1t lay.
 Tell me all about 1t, Jim,' said Tom, thumbing and lighting a we'll crusted pipe. Its 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. T ran away west before you did. Ups and downs! Of course, most downs. Then struck Palto back here strip. Pretty decent place. Ever hit it?"
 Just come from there yesterday" drawled Tom in answer.
 Then you know it. We'll, I rioted around the place a little till I fell in love with as pretty a girl as you ever did see. Such face-hand-foot!"
 "So?" smiled Tom.
 Yep. I didn't have any wherewith; 50 the old man-nice old chap, too told me if Id buck up and win out could have her."
 "She love you, too?"
 Said she did. Anyway, she prom. ised both the old man and me shed marry me when came back. I struck for the mines. and. by Cad! I've won out, as you see. and back go. Won. der I'm little joyful?"
 T should say not My hand on 1t, 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- ceding sleep. and just before he slid from consciousness he murmured . girls name.
 The sting of that name. so unexpect. ed. brought Tom to a sitting posture. The rising moon. in prairie clearness. shone on his blarehed face.
 He quietly lighted a match and. pipe between knees sat until the gray dawn that chills the toes. Little by little that old. grim determination set. tied itself back into those hard lines of fixity.
 As the red streaks first appeared he rose calmly. drew a serviceworn sheath-knife and stepped over toward the sleeping man. Jim moved and the bag of gold-dust fell from his shirt. front. Tom reached for it and tossed It aside. It fell near a grazing pony. The animal snuffed at the pouch. then turned aside and clipped another of grass.
 Jim's shirt lay partly open and the