The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1908-04-03

y
they keep thirselves, and have t.
, have special deputies appinted owe
'em five or six times and then le
most O the bunch slip through thei
fingers, it's time for some one to 81
busy. And when Jesse Black and hiS
gang are so desprit they piZen the
chief 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, Right you are, Miss Reporter
we'll be gittin' on" Jim paid his toll
and spoke to his team.
Gust wait bit, will you?' spoke
up the sandy man.
What for?"
Were not just ready"
well, We are" shortly.
I'VE arn't, and we don't care to be
passed, you know"
He spoke indifferently. In defer.
ence to Louise, Jim waited. The men
smoked on carelessly. The toll-man
tidgeted.
You go to hell! The Three Bars
amt waitin on no damned boss
thieves" said Jim, suddenly.
With 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 a 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, a wrench, a giving
way, and the runabout sprang over
debris Of broken wheel and wagon-box
to the narrow confines of the pontoo;
bridge.
"The Three Bars is gettin' busy!"
gibed Jim over his shoulder.
ITS a sorry day for you and yours"
cried the other, in black and ugly .
wrath.
I'VE amt afraid. You're nothin' but
boss thief, anyway" responded jim
as parting shot.
"Now what do you suppose was
their game?" he asked of the girl at
his side.
Il don't know" answered Louise,
But l thought it not
wise to say too much to them. You
Are a witness, l believe you said"
Then you think they are part O. the
gang"
Il consider them at least sympa-
hizers, don't you? They seemed down
N the Three Bars"
In the Indian country at last. Mile
fter mile Of level, barren stretches
fter the hill region had been left be-
lind. Was there no end to the thirst
Inspiring, monotonous, lonely reach Of
actl? Prairie dogs, perched in front
t their holes, chartered and scolded
t them. The sun went down and a
GOODNESS crept over the
ard, baked earth. Still, there was
othing but distance anywhere in all {
ne land, and feeling of desolation
wept over the girl.
The moon came up. Then there were
lilies Of white moonlight and lonely
lain. But for some time now there
as been light in front of them. II
as If it must be will-o'-the-wisp.
hey never seem to get to it. But at
st they are there. The door Is wide
pen. A pleasant odor of bacon and
offee is waited out to the tired tray.
ers.
Come right in," says the CHEEKY
Dice of Mary. How tired you must
}, Miss Dale. Tie up, Jim, and come
and eat something before you 20.
ell, you can eat again-two suppers I
ont hurt you. I have kept things |
arm for you. Your train must have
zen late. Yes, dad is better, thank |
u. He'll be all right in the morn, l.
g.
CTo BE CONT1NUED.) y,