West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-01-02

slipped into riding habit When she
came out he asked: Whore IL your
raincoat7 You'll be drenched Ia no
time"
II can't ride with H.. III DC thrown,
anyway. and ! don't want 20 he all
bound up. Water won't hurt me-"
She thrust her tiny rev liver into her
dress. but he took II and upon examina-
ton shook his head.
"If you need gun you'ii need a
good one" He removed the belt from
his own waist and buckled his Colts
about her.
But your she objected.
"Pll get another I'm ten minutes"
Then as they were leaving. he said:
"One other request. Cherry. I'll be
In hiding for time. and ! must get
word 10 Miss Chester TO keep watch
OF her uncle. for the big fight Is on
mt last and the boys will hang him sure
n they catch him. owe her this last
warning. VIII you send It TO herY'
''I'll do II for your sake. not for her.
no. no: don't mean that. I'll do the
right thing all round. Leave II here
and I'll see that she gets IL tomorrow.
And. Roy, be careful OF yourself"
Her eyes were starry. and In their
depths lurked neither selfishness nor
jealousy now. only that mysterious
glory OF woman who makes sacrifice.
Together they scurricd back to the
stable, and yet. I'm that short distance,
she would have been swept from her
feet had he not seized her. They blew I'm
through the barn door. streaming and
foaked by the binding sheets that
drove scythelike ahead OF the wind.
He struck light. and the pony
whinhied at recognition OF his mis-.
tress. She stroked the little fellows
muzzle while Glenister cinched on her
saddle. Then when she was at last
mounted, she leaned forward:
"Will you kiss me once. Roy, for
the last timer
He took her rain wet face between
his hands and kissed her upon the lips
as he would have saluted n little maid
AS he did so, unseen by both of them,
face was pressed for an instant
against the pane OF glass I'm the stable
wall.
you're n brave girl ant, may God
bless you," he said, extinguishing the
light. He flung the door wide and
the rode out into the storm. Locking
the portal, he plunged back toward the
house to write his hurried note, for
there was much TO do and scant time
for Its accomplishment, despite the
helping hand OF the hurricane. He
heard the voice of Boring rs 1t thun-
dered on the golden sands, and knew
that the first great storm OF the fall
had come. Henceforth he saw that
the violence of men would rival the
rising elements. fof the deeds OF this
night would stir their passions as
Aeolus was rousing the hate of the
sea.
He neglected to bolt the house door
rs he entered, but flung off his dripping
coat and, selling pad and pencil.
scrawled his message The wind
screamed about the cabin. the lamp
fared smokily and Glenister felt a
draft suck past him as though from an
open door at his back as he wrote:
I can't do anything more. Tho end has
come. and IT has brought the hatred and
bloodshed- that L have been trying TO pre-
vent played tho game according to
your rules, but they forced me back to
first principles in spite OF myself. and now
don't know what the finish will be. To-
morrow Will tell. Take care OF your un-
Gle. and IL you should wish to commune
cate with me. go TO Cherry Maiotte. She
Is friend TO both OF us. Always your
servant, ROY GLENISTER
AS he seated this he paused, while he
felt the hair on his neck rise md bris-
tie and chill race up his spine. His
heart fluttered, then pounded onward
I'LL the blood thumped audibIy at his
ear drums and he found himself sway
Ing In rhythm to its beat The muscles
of his back cringed and rippled at the
proximity of some lowering peril, and
yet an irresistible feeling forbade him
to turn. A sound came from close be-
hind his chair-thc- drip, drip, drip Of
water. 1t was not from the caves, nor
yet from a faulty Single His back
was to the kitchen door, through which
he had come, and, although there were
no mirrors before him. he felt men
acing presence as surely as though Il
had touched him. His ears were tuned
to the finest pin pricks of sound. so
that he heard the faint, signing
"squish" of sodden shoe upon which
weight had shifted. Still something
chained him to his seat. It was as
though his soul laid restraining hand
upon his body, waiting for the instant.
He let his hand seek his hip careless.
ly. but remembered where his gun was.
Mechanically he addressed the note In
shaking characters. while behind him
sounded the constant drip, drip, drip
that he knew came from saturated
garments. Fo- long moment he sat,
till he heard the stealtby Click Of gun
lock muffied by finger pressure. Then
,he set his face and slowly turned to
find the Bronco Kid standing behind
him as though risen from the sea, his
light clothes wet and cllngIng. his feet
centered In spreading puddle The
dim light showed the convulsive fury
OF his features above the leveied
weapon, whose hammer was curIed
back like the head Of a striking adder,
his eyes cleaning with frenzy. Glen.
ister's mouth was powder dry, but his
mind was Ieaping riotously like dust
before a gale. for he divlred himself to
be in the deadllest peril of his life.
When he spoke the calmness Of his
voice surprised himself.
What's the matter, Bronco7" The
Kid made no reply. and Roy repeated,
What do you wantY"
That's n hell OF n question" the
gambler said hoarseiy. II want you.
OF course, and I've got you"
Hold up I am unarmed. This IL
your third try. and ! want to know
what's back OF H."
Damn the talk? cried the faro deal
or, moving closer TIL the light shone on
his features. which commenced 10