Mexico Missouri message., 1908-10-15

terest and excitement pervaded town,
camp and home; touched even women
and children.
The supply train backed. switched,
loaded freight brought In the night be-
fore yet did not pull out for the Front
as usual. but slde-tracked and waited.
The iron was coming! II was due at
noon
Hotel patrons had eaten and gone.
Bill Bernard was out on ap errand
and the house was deserted save for
the cook and scullion. and the two
women at their late breakfast. The
sun had not yet thawed the frost OF
the night when n shot rang out from
Sally BIS barroom.
She caught her pistol from some
near nook and rushed out, Esther fly.
ing after her.
Go back, child" Sally u. said stern.
ly, from the doorway.
Not unless you CO." Esther re-
turned In a voice as firm.
"Foller still, then" the other whis-
pered. seeing opposition useless: and
they entered the barroom noiselessly.
A man with beetling brows and
fierce, resentful eyes stood with his
back TO them. holding a big revolver
somewhat unsteadlly over Shack New
begin, whose hands were high In air.
The intruder's clothes we're solled, his
boots dusty and cut from much walk.
ing over rock. Notwithstanding his
vicious, threatening attitude. his body
dropped as from intense fatigue.
He did not hear the women; and his
savage. low.spoken command showed
him dangerously sure OF himself.
GIVE me ten dollars out OF that
till. Do II quick, and keep still. And
don't try shooting next time when a
man asks you for money; you might
get your wooden overcoat sooner'n
you'd like. Hurry up. there!"
Drop that gun, pardner!" Sally b.
said quietly.
She had waited barely breath on
the threshold. yet Esther had smelled
burned powder, seen Shack's pistol on
the floor. his dishevelled hair and the
bullet hole in the marauder's hat.
Shack had had the first shot. How
had the other mastered the situation2
The man wheeled. with blazing eyes,
to meet Sally BIS pistol barrel almost
at his head. His own weapon, uncon.
sciOusly lowered, left him helpless.
though he made a slight motion as II
10 lift Il.
Drop II, / say! Let go!" Her re.
yolver touched his temple. and her
black eyes blazed Il message that com.
PEELED obedience.
He returned her look for an instant.
lowered his eyes sullenly. glanced
covertly about, and, STOPPING. laid the
pistol on the floor.
Now, git inter that cheer!"
Again he looked at her resentfully
but only for a breath, when he bent
stiniy and dropped heavily down.
Tie him. Shack, to the cheer; an
his hands behind him. an his feet to
gether. How'd he git the drop on ye
see we got the first shot"
Yes. But reckoned he was only a
drunk. an wasn't lookin' fur him "a
fight | only shot to skeer; but he
jumped me like creased llghtnln'."
He looks holler; low grub amt
ben plenty. Had anything to eat late
ly?" she asked her prisoner.
He shook his head sulkily.
Il thought so. Watch him, Shack.
she ordered. and after the tying was
done to her satisfaction, the two WON
en- went out.
They returned shortly. Sally b. with
generous breakfast; Esther. who re
fused to let her come alone, carrying
the coffee. They arranged the food or
chair, and Sally b. took up her re
volver again.
Unite his hands, Shack"
You're the beatin'est," Shack be
gan, obeying her order reluctantly
ito go an feed a man that's tried tC
rob ye."
No matter. He's hungry.
wouldn't turn a hungry dog on without
bone. Get TO work, now" she sale
grufiy 20 the bandit. AN while yo'r'
busy, tell what you wanted OF ten dol
lars. Why didn't ye ask fur the hui
tim?"
Because wanted to be white an
take only enough to get out OF the
country with" Esther thought hi
face softened a trifie.
why don't ye work for It? Tit
Boss wants choppers; an everybody
ayIn' west like ole Nick was afte
EN-"
That's my business. want to leav'
the country. not chop wood" The sui
len look deepened.
IT yo're that particular. you git tina
grub out o. sight. an git! / earn m
; money workin'. an you can yourn."
He scowled at her; and no one saw
, the CLEAN in his wicked eye as h
caught the fash from Esther's sol
taire.
Il was the only ornament OF valu
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