Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-10-03

H.
along the line betting ran high In
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 side-tracked and waited.
TIE iron was comingi 1t was due at
noon.
HoteI patrons had eaten and gone
Bill Bernard was out on an 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 a 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 B. said stern
ly. from the doorway.
Not unless you CO." Esther re-
turned in voice as firm.
"Foller still, Them the other whis-
pered, seeing opposition useless; and
they entered the barroom noiseIessly.
man with beetlfng brows and
fierce, resentful eyes stood with his
back to them, holding a big revolver
somewhat unsteadily over Shack New
begin, whose hands were high in air.
The intruder's clothes were soiled, 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 it quick, and keep still. And
don't try shooting next time when a
man asks you for money; you might
get your wooden overcoat sooper'n
you'd like. Hurry up, there!"
Drop that gun, pardneri" Sally B.
said quietly.
She had waited barely a breath on
the threshold, yet Esther had sme1led
burned powder, seen Shacks 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 situation?
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 if
to lift it.
Drop It. 1 rav! Let gol'' Her re-
black eyes blazed a 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
stiff1y, 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 We?
1 see We got the first shot"
Yes. But 1 reckoned he was only
drunk, an wasn't lookin' fur him to
fight. 1 only shot to skeer; but he
jumped me like creased lghtnin'.'
He looks boiler; 1 low grub amt
ben plenty. Had anything to eat late
Typ she asked her prisoner.
He shook his head sulkily.
Ct 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
a generous breakfast; Esther, who re
fused to let her come alone, carrying |
the coffee. They arranged the food on |
a chair, and Sally B. took up her re |
volver again.
Unite his hands, Shack"
You're the beatin' est" Shack be |
gan, obeyfng her order reluctantly. |
Ito go an feed a man that's tried to
rob ye."
No matter. He's hungry. III
wouldn't turn hungry dog off without |
a bone. Get to work, now" she said
gruff1y to the bandit. AN while yo're
busy, tell what you wanted of ten dol
lars. Why didn't ye ask fur the hull
tilI?"
Because 1 wanted to be white an
take only enough to get out of the
with Esther thought his
lace softened a trif1e.
why don't ye work for it? The
Boss wants choppers; an everybody's
1yin' west like ole Nick was after
en-"
That's my business. want to leave
he country, not chop wood" The sui
en- look deepened.
IF yo're that particular, you git that
grub out O. sight, an git earn my
money workin', an you can yourn-"
He scowled at her; and no one saw
he CLEAN in his wicked eye as he
taught the flash from Esther's soil
aire.
~ n1rrc