The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1907-11-29
but you want to keep Jour gun

out you want to keep your gun
handy"
And he strobe of down the track.
The knot of Mexicans and half breeds
made way for Landon. Kate stood in
the doorway, leering a drunken wei
come from under the mans hat SLOUGH
ed over her frowsy head.
"Grub's a-plenty. an Texas Charles
hit the trail. leavin' his bunk behind"
and upon that assurance Landon fol-
lowed her to a cubbyhole back Of the
SALOON, where the aforesaid bunk was
locdted Somewhere behind the thin
partition a jangling piano reeled and
thrieked, and a chorus of discordant
voices beloved medley of ribald
songs. He could hear the snap of
cards upon the tables, the clink Of
glasses, and then few minor chords
were struck. and a mellow baritone
rolled forth in a border song of starry
nights and women's faces. Landon
sprang to his feet He knew that
voice, and he pushed the door open.
Henderson,
The singer, handsome, haggard
boy, sprang from the piano and start
ed for the outside door. his eyes fixed
on. Landon's like those of haunted
animal at bay. Landon caught his
arm.
mo, you don't, Jack. have not
come all this distance to lose you
now"
Not man stirred to interfere. The
scene was too common In Umiltas. and,
Landon and his quarry passed out to
the shelter Of clump Of mesquite.
Then the boy faced him.
"See here, David Landon. If you
have come here thinking to take me
back tell you now / won't 90. I've
reached my limit In singing for bread
in this hell hole. and I'll never 60 home
alive"
Landon's gray eyes bored their
ate brown ones.
"Shut up. Jack. You will 60 back
with me tomorrow. l came here to
find you, and / won't leave without
you. Wait; hear me out! Locks's tool,
Red Matthews, the forger, died last
week. he made a clean breast Of 1t.
and we know-all Trenton knows-that
you had nothing to do with wrscking
the bank. Locke will die hard, but we
have him cornered, and he has to take
his medicine. Let 20, boy. You are
throttling mev'
Henderson's hands dropped. but he
poured out storm Of questions.
"He confessed! Landon. he told me
that Lllias did it-Lilias; that he had
forced her to forge Dalton's name to
that check in order to gain time with
the New York people; that the truth
must come out and she be tried for
forgery unless would take the blame |
upon myself to shield her, and my
flight was the only thing that could
save her. l never knew Of those false |
entries on the books until ! saw 1t In |
the papers-that was a forgery too. |
But what's the use Of all this? You |
know all about it."
"Lilias! Landon caught the tone in |
which Henderson uttered the name. |
The rest was meaningless babble. And
Judith had sent him to bring her lover
homel
Henderson was still pouring out his |
questions as Jack thrust the letter In
the boys hand. "Never mind all that. |
The girl had nothing to do with It.
Red Matthews did the forgery, and |
Locke sent him out of town before he
found out that you were accused Of 1t. |
Here Is Judith's letter." And he turn
ed his back, every nerve a-quiver with
the blind rage that possessed him.
Here's one for you" And Hender-
son held out the sheet of paper
You Dear Old Stupid David:
Who so blind as a man that will not |
see? When you have brought Jack back |
TO Lilias Locke TO comfort her in these |
black days of her fathers disgrace come |
10 me and ask what you will JUDITH