Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-02-29

N@SA& HoAe- AuS oOSS never tolerated
much along that line. He had drunk
with some congenial cronies from the
Circle L outfit complimentary to the
future well-belng and increasing
wealth Of this already well-known and
hourishing cattle ranch. OF course
he must drink 4 return compliment
to the same rOse-colored prosperity
Tor the Three Bars. which he did and
sighed for more. That made two, and
two were the limit. and here was the
limit oyerreached already; for there
had always to be a last little com
forter to keep him from nodding in his
saddle.
It was q sleepy night, cool and soft
and stil. He could walk his horse ali
the way If he wanted TO. There was
no haste. The boys would all be in
bed. They would not even wait up for
the mail, knowing his. Jim's. innate
Aversion TO hurry. Had he not been
50 drowsy, he would like to have sung
bit; but It required little too much
Effort He would just plod along.
Must all be in bed at WiIiston's-
DO light anywhere. A little short OF
where the Wiliiston branch left the
main trail he half paused. II it were
not so late he would ride up and give
them hail. But Of course they were
asleep. Everything seemed stnl aud
dark about the premises. He would
just plod along
Hello, there, Where'd you come
from?" he cried Of a sudden. and be-
fore he had had time to carry his re-
solve into action.
A man on horseback had drawn rein
directly in front Of him Jim blinked
with the suddenness of the shock
Might ask you the same question, Z"
responded the other with an easy
laugh I'm for town to see the doc
tor about my little girl. Been puny
for week"
"Ohl Where you from ." asked jim.
with the courteous interest OF his
kind.
New man on the X Y T." answered
the other. lightly Must be glttin on
Worried about my baby girl"
He touched spurs TO his horse and
was of with friendly $50 long" over
his shoulder.
Jim rode on thoughtfully
Now don't 10 beat the devil" he
was thinking. how that there COW.
puncher struck this trail comm from
Y with the Y Y Z clean L other
side O town. Yep. IL beats the devil.
for n fac. He must be a ridin' for
his health. lt beats the devil" This
last was long drawn out. He rode a
little farther. 1T beats the devil" he
thought again-the wonder OF il was
waking him up-"how that blamed
fool could a. struck tL.s here trail a
goin' for doc"
At the branch road he stopped IT.
resolutely.
1T beats the devil-for a fac" He
looked helplossly over his shoulder.
The man was beyond sight and sound.
IF he hadn't said he was goin' for
doc and belonged 20 the X Y L." he
pOndered. He was swearing because
he could not think OF a way out OF the
maze OF contradiction. lie was so
seldom az loss. this braggadocio Jim.
Wei, I reckon I won't get any hep
a moonin' here lcss'n I wait here ul
that son-ofagun comes back from
seem doc. Lord. I'd have TO camp
out all night Guess III be a movin'
on. But I'm plumb a-foot for an idee
as TO how that idjit got here from the
Ky r."
He shrugged his shoulders and pick
ed up the fallen bride rein. He kent
on straight ahead. and 81 was well for
him that he did so. 10 was not the
last OF the affair. The old. prosaic
trail seemed fairly bristling with
ghosuy visitants that night. He had
gone but a scaut quarter-mlle when
he met a second horseman. and this
time he would have sworn on oath
that the man had not been on the
forward trail as long as he should
have been TO be seen IN the starlight.
Jim was not doing now and he knew
what he was about. The fellow struck
the trail from across country and from
the direction Of Williston's home cat
tie sheds.
THE devil," he muttered. and this
time he was in deep and terrible earn
est
"Huno!" the fellow accosted him.
genially.
Too damned pleasaDt-the whole
bunch OF EN-" found quick Judgment
in Jim's active brain Aloud. he re-
sponded with answering good nature.
'Hulloi"
Where We goin'?" asked the other.
as II in no particular haste TO part
company. If he had met with a sur
prise, he carried it of well.
Home. Been TO town" Jim was
on tender hooks 10 be of.
Belong to the Three Bars, don't
you?"
yep"
Thought so. Wen, good luck to
you"
Say" said jim. suddenly. "you
don't happen to hang out at the KY.
do your"
Nav! What dye suppose I'd be
doing here this time OF night il
did?' There was scorn In his voice
and suspicion. too. "Why?" he asked
"Oh. nothin' Thought knew YOUR
build. but I guess I was mistaken. So
long"