Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-11-26
'AnAtmospheric DeIusion

Copyright. 1908. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
When Ned Pike, cowboy, rode up TO
the ranch OF Franklin Dolbeare on the
evening OF the 10th of October, 1899,
he found trouble In the household. Dol
beare was consumptive who had
gone from the east with his wife and
In the hope OF regaining his health.
The cause of the trouble was Jim New
ell. That's all any one ever knew about
It. Why Newell was bent on killing
Dolbeare was a secret that neither
gave out. Anyway every one sympa-
thized with Dolbeare. first, because he
was a pleasant. mild hammered man;
because he had the loveliest wife In
the world and two Of the prettiest chill
dren. Pike, who had been sent for by
Mrs. Dolbeare. found'that lady waiting
for him I'm the living room.
Ned" she said Newell has written
Frank letter saying that he will shoot
him on sight unless he consents to a
more regular way oEmeeting. / got
the letter, opened II and haven't said
anything to Frank about 1t. For heav-
ems sake try and get rid of Newell
without letting Frank know. In his
condition he isn't able to think about
II, much less stand up and fight"
at wouldn't be fight. II would be
murder" said Pike.
tsCon'f xyo,, ID copoofhfnnc,'
Pike took some tobacco from his
pocket, rolled a cigarette, lighted It,
gave few thoughtful puffs and said:
How long has Newell been up here 2"
'He came yesterday"
Ever been in these parts before?"
mot that know Of
A few more deliberate puffs.
"Just YOU don't worry. Mrs Dol
beare and don't say anything to any
body. TT see what can be done"
With that he went out mounted his
horse and rode away. Later. after
making inquiries as TO where Newell
might be found he rode up 10 an adobe
house where he saw his man sitting On
the porch
MI. NtWeI. he aohNN.
"Yes?" said the other. with slight
start and placing his hand where he
could more easily grasp his revolver.
1--WE got a message for you from
Franklin Dolbeare. He'll meet you to-
morrow morning just before sunup."
"All right. When? Where?
you stayin' here?'
yes"
well, you start from here with one
six shooter at o'clock exactly and
walk up the road. On the way you'll
meet your man with another six shoot
err You can crack away as soon as
you like. He'll do the same. Is that
satisfactory
Eyes: that suits me as well as any
way"
Late that night Pike rode up to the
ranch and asked Mrs. Dolbeare for a
suit of her husbands clothes.
She gave him what he wanted with
anxious inquiry in her face but asked
no questions. Pike gave her no In
formation Before daylight the next
morning he had shaved off his beard
and put on Dolbeare's suit Then he
drew his sombrero over his eyes. look
ed at the clock, examined his revolver
and started at a slow pace down the
road.
1t was a cloudless, crisp autumn
morning. The altitude was 1000 feet
above sea level, and the nelghboring
peaks stood out clear cut against the
slowly lighting sky. Presently the
cowboy squatted behind a bush at the
side Of the road. waited and watched
Ten minutes later Newell turned a
bend and appeared plainly in sight.
Pike waited. Newell came on. Sud
denly Pike left the bush and appeared
In the road. The moment Newell saw
him he raised his revolver and fired
but without effect Then he fired two
more shots. and as he saw his enemy
still advance unharmed he appeared TO
be astonishcd But at that moment
Pike fred shot This drew another
from Newell. making four. Pike fred
two shots in succession and Newell
fred enc
Pike now had three shots In his re-
volvcr TO NcwelS one. Pike stopped
and appeared 60 be taking a deliberate
aim. His enemy. fearing he would this
time surely be hit. fired his last shot.
Then Pike. who had been walking
slowly. increased his pace. Newell
throwing away his empty revolver, put
his hand to his hip, drew another and
began a rapid fusillade.
"The houndr' muttered Pike be-
tween his teeth.
II was evident that Newell had lost
his head. 1t was not surprising that he
should. He had fred nearly a dozen
shots, any one of which he felt sure
when he fired 1t would bring down his
man. Yet that man kept advancing,
apparently getting no nearer. But pres
emily the shots began TO whistle about
Pixies head. though so great was his
enemy's agitation that none OF them
told. Suddenly Pike stood still, took
deliberate aim and shot his man
through the forehead.
While Mrs. Dolbeare was dressing
for breakfast she was told that Pike
wished to see her. Throwing on a
wrapper, she went TO meet him with
pale face and inquirlng eyes.
cts all right. Mrs DoIbeare.' he
said.
"How? What is it?'
"Oh. It was easy enough When