The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-06-18

gether. How'd he git the drop on ye?
| see ye get the first shot"
"Yes. But reckoned he was only a
drunk. an wasn't lookin' fur him to
fight. I only shot to skeer; but he
jumped me like creased lightnin'."/
"He looks holler; low grub amt
ben plenty Had anything to eat late.
ly?" she asked her prisoner.
He shook his head sulkily
81 thought so. Watch him, Shack"
she ordered, and after the tying was
done to her satisfaction, the two wom-
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 on
chair and Sally B. took up her re-
volver again
Unite his hands, Shack"
you're the beatin'e est" Shack be-
gan, obeying her order reluctantly,
"to go an feed a man that's tried to
rob ye."
NO matter. He's hungry. l
wouldn't turn hungry dog off without
bone. Get to work, now she said
grutfiy to the bandit. An while yo're
busy, tell what you wanted of ten dol
lars. Why didn't ye ask fur the hull
till?"
Because | wanted to be white an
take only enough to get out OF the
| country with" Esther thought his
| face softened trifie.
| why don't ye work for it? The
Boss wants choppers; an everybodys S
fyin west like ole Nick was after
'em."
That's my business. want to leave
the country, not chop wood" The sui
len look deepened.
IF yo're that particular, you git that
grub out O. sight, an git! l earn my
money workin, an you can yourn."
! He scowled at her; and no one saw
| the CLEAN in his wicked eye as he
caught the flash from Esther's soli-
| taire.
1t was the only ornament of value
| she wore in this rude place. She mad
bought it for protection, and 1t had
served its purpose well. Most people
supposed it an engagement ring,
supposition she tacitly encouraged.
The man ate hungrily, and finished
with surly Thank you."
(Which way are YOU going?"
"West."
"We'll take yo weepon, an watch ye
piece out on the track. Shack, you
keep an eve an gun on him till he
gifts to the turn. Ye needn't come
back fur another meal O. victuals," she
continued to the fellow. ''If ye do,
ye'll find more'n one gun p'inted yore
way Skedaddle!"
Hes ben layin' round the town fur
weeks, that cuss has; but / missed him
Yesterday" Shack said as the man
started off slowly. Thought he'd lit
| out"
Esther watched him with mingled
aversion and pity; but Sally B. was al.
ready in conference with one OF the
railroad office boys that "lettered
WELL" getting out "Warning!" to be
posted on one OF the towns bulletin
spaces. Whatever the reprobate might
next undertake could not be done
there. The town kept open eyes by
night as well as by day.
The iron train was two hours late,
and the desert day so alluring that
Esther decided to ride as usual I'm
mediately after the noon dinner her
mount was brought to the door; but
her kindly knight was missing. This
was not alarming. His memory often
failed him in the daily routine, when
he saddled his horse and wandered
alone in the hills hunting for color.
but always returned safe; and on such
occasions Esther patiently went
without her ride. But to-day she was
disappointed. She wanted to get away
from the memory of the morning
"Had any one seen him go?" she
asked And Shack, hearing her ques
ton, told her that Bill had saddled
not quarter hour ago, an lit out west
down the track"
81 can overtake him, then," she said
to Sally b. as she mounted.
Il don't like ter see ye start OF
alone" Sally B. said; yet she was toe
fearless herself to suspect danger;
and her protest was perfunctory.
IN find Mr.. Bernard shortly; don't
worry about me-"
Look out for that there breakfast
guest of our'n. If you met up with
him, he might take shine to you, oI
yore mare"
my lungs are good. And section
men are too plenty and Swift's- heels
too nimble for any man on foot to hurt
me-" Esther replied nonchalantly
Besides, he'll be far toward Wells
by this time. That's his first chance
for supper"
1t was good to be out in the open
this perfect day, to be alone. She
kept ON the lookout for her cavalier
expecting momentarily to overtake
him. Presently she spied him climbing
high hillside to the north. II looked
hot and breathless over there. She
knew the succession of ridge and hol
low in that direction. No wide, leve
spaces for gallops, no open yistas. SHE
would have this one long afternoon tC
herself, listen for voices that spoke
only to the solitary ear. She rode
slowly, making subconscious notes
of the smooth, trodden path beside
the track. at places where she woule
give the mare her head when return
ing in the cooler afternoon.
| A natah Of brilliant AaoSrt HnWapa In