The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1907-12-25
CHAPTER x.
In Which the X Y z Figures Some


the home trail at slow walk, dropped
sleepily in his saddle. 1t was not a
weirdly late bedtime halt-past ten,
maybe, but he would have been sleep
ing soundly a good hour or more had
this not been his night to go to town
If he chose. He had chosen. He
would not have missed his chance for
good deal. But his dissipation had
been light. The boss never tolerated
much along that line. He had drunk
with some congenial cronies from the
Circle E outfit complimentary to the
future well-being and increasing
wealth of this already well-known and
f1ourishing cattle ranch. OF course
he must drink return compliment
for the Three Bars, which he did and
sighed for more. That made two, and
two were the limit, and here was the
limit overreached already; for there
had always to be a last little COM
forter to keep him from nodding in his
saddle.
1t was a sleepy night, cool and soft
the way if he wanted to. There was
no haste. The boys would all be in
bed. They would not even wait up for
the mail, knowing his, Jim's, innate
aversion to hurry. Had he not been
so drowsy, he would like to have sung
a bit: but it required little too much
effort. He would just plod along
OH
no light anywhere. A little short of
where the Williston branch lett the
main trail he half paused. If it We're
not so late he would ride up and give
them a hail. But of course they We're
asleep. Everything seemed still and
dark about the premises. He would
just plcd along.
Hello, there Where'd you come
FROM" he cried of sudden and be-
fore he had had time to carry his re-
solve into action.
man on horseback had drawn rein
directly in front of him. Jim blinled
with the suddenness of the shock.
Might ask you the same question.
responded the other with an easy
laush. III lof Town 10 see 'lle aoe-
tor about my little girl. Been puny
for a week
on. Where you from asked JIM
with the courteous interest," Oh MS
KIND.
New man on the X n" answered
the other, lightly. Must be gittin' on.
Worried about my pabN slfl.
\
he touched spurs TO MS morse ana
was on Win friendly so long, over
ms shoulder.
Jim rode on thoughtfully
Now don't it beat the devil he
was thinking, how that there COW
puncher struck this trail comm from
x Y with the X Y clean t Other
side O town? Yep. it beats the devil
for fac. He must be ridin' fol
his health. 1t beats the devil. This
last was long drawn out. He rode 8
little farther. 1T beats the devil, he
thought again-the. wonder of it was
waking him up-"how that blamed
fool could a struck this here trail &
goin' for doc.
At the branch road he stopped ir
resolutely.
1T beats the devil--for fac" He
looked helplessly over his shoulder
The man was beyond sight and sound
III he hadn't said he was goin' fol
doc and belonged to the X Y H., hi
pOndered. He was swearing because
he could not think of way out of thu
maze of contradiction He was 81
seldom at loss, this braggadocio Jim
We'll, reckon | won't get any he'll
moonin' here less'n wait here til
that son-of-a-gun comes back from
seem doc. Lord, Id have to CAM
out all night Guess III be movin
on. But I'm plumb a-foot for an ide
as to now that ldJlt got here from tn
IT,
lie shrugged MS shoulders and pick
ed up the fallen bride rein. He KEEP
on stralght ahead' ana IL was Wen 10
MN that ne dld SO. 1T was not TN
last OF the aHalf. Inc Old prosal
1rall seemed larry oils'ihg VIII