The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1908-01-31

anu JILL odllAS 10 look upon her
smiling face, clear eyes and soft hair
under the jaunty French sailor hat.
found himself wondering why there
was no woman at the Three Bars.
With the swift, half.intuitive thought,
the serpent entered Eden.
CHAPTER vi.
"Nothing but Hoss Thief, ANYWAY"
The island teemed with early sun
flowers and hints of goldenrod yet to
come. The fine, white, sandy soil
deadened the sound of the horses
hoofs. They seemed to be spinning
through. space. Under the cotton
woods it grew dusky and still.
At the toll house dingy blackboard
in state of weird dilapidation, with a
team of shaggy buckskin ponies, stood
waiting Jim drew up. Two men
were Longing in front Of the shanty
chatting &c the toll-man
Hello. Jim" called one of them. a
tall, slouching fellow with sandy col
oring.
Now, how the devil did you cit
so familiar with my 'name?" growled
Jim.
The Three Bars is gettln busy
these days." spoke up the second man,
with an insolent grin.
You bet it is" Dragged JIM when
the officers O. the law git to sleepin'
with boss thieves and rustlers, and
take two weeks to arrest a bunch of
'em, when they know prezactly where
they keep thirselves, and have to
have special deputies app'inted over
'em five or six times and then let
most O the bunch slip through their
fingers, it's time for some one to git
busy. And when Jesse Black and his
gang are so desprit they pizen the
chef Witnesses"
A gentle pressure on his arm
stopped him. He turned inquiringly
Il wouldn't say any MORE" whisper.
ed Louise. Lets get on
The hint was sufficient, and with the
words, Fright you are, Miss Reporter
We'll be gittin' on" Jim paid his toll
and spoke to his team
"Just wait a bit, will you?" spoke
up the sandy man.
What for?"
Were not just ready"
well, we are" shortly.
1--WE arn't, and we don't care to be
passed, you know"
He spoke indiferently. In defer:
7 ha
smoked on carelessly. The toll-man
fidgeted
"You go to hell! The Three Bars
amt waitin' on no damned boss
thieves said Jim, suddenly
His nervous team sprang forward
Quick as flash the sandy man was in
the blackboard. He struck the bays
a singing blow with his rawhide, and
as they swerved aside he swung into
the straight course to the narrow
bridge of boats. In another moment
the way would be blocked. With a
burning oath Jim, keeping to the side
OF the steep incline till the river mire
cut him off, deliberately turned his
stanch little team squarely and
crowded them forward against the
shaggy buckskins 1t was team
against team. Louise, clinging tightly
to the seat, lips pressed together to
Keep back any sound, felt wild, in
applicable thrill of confidence in the
strength of the man beside her.
The bays were pitifully, cruelty
lashed by the enraged owner of the
buckskins, but true as steel to the ia.
miliar voice that had guided them
SO often and SO kindly, they gave not
nor faltered. There was a swapping
OF broken wood, wrench, a giving
way, and the runabout sprang over
debris of broken wheel and wagon-box
to the narrow confines of the pontoon
bridge.
THE Three Bars is gettin' busy!"
glbed Jim over his shoulder.
Its sorry day for you and yours u
cried the other, in black and ugly
wrath.
I'VE amt afraid. You're nothin' but
boss thief, anyway" responded Jim.
gleefully, as a parting shot.
Now what do you suppose was
their game?" he asked of the girl at
his side.
Il don't know" answered Louise,
thoughtfully. But I thought it not
wise to say too much to them. You
are witness, believe you said.''
Then you think they are part O. the
gang?"
. L consider them at least sympa.
thizers, don't you? They seemed down
on the Three Bars /: