The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-12
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se=s-ss%STTS=s the pung a boot crunched the
kgA-1J 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 a quick re-
treat the two girls might be saved the
knowledge of the Clark episode, and
he a 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 storekeeper 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 0he pro-
fessional men of Bismarck and those
who differed at the posts up and down
the river freely bestowed their friend
SHIP UkJOn I'LL. i nt Id W ltSS GlcIAlCnL
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 a clash-it meant pain for two help
l. NTov-Nr+J,oT1er h. xvio
The streamers were gone from the
sky by then. They had faded as quick
" as they had come. Once more, I'M
der q 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, who
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
er 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
| pone and coffee The three men warm
| ed themselves. The girls moved be-
/ tween fireplace and table. But when
| the plates were set and the coffee
poured David Bond asked for the story
of Matthews doings, of the affair at
\ the saloon. the meeting with Colonel
| Cummings and the council. Dallas
and AIarylyn heard it from where they
stood together, before the blaze. Ian
caster heard it, though he pretended
not to. eating and drinking the while
with angry smacks.
Lounsbury paid no attention to The
section boss-in fact, before his recita
was done, he had forgotten him. HI
talked quietly and without boasting
his face now turned to David Bond
now to the girls.
And you think" said the evangelist
when the story was finished, "yoI
think that Matthews will drop hi
claim to the bend?"
Lounsbury arose as If to go, and 70
the first time since his entrance LOOKED
squarely at Lancaster. This is wha
/ think" he answered. In Dakota, i
a man jumps land that hasn't been i'm
| proved, all he's got to do is to hang Oh
to it-dOn't have TO rassle with an,
fine points of law. This far west O
/ stuffed chairs there's a whole Iot q
public sentiment" He crossed the room
and picked up coat and cap.
"Of course" added David Bond
following the law would strengthen
the case"
"Of course"