The Lamar register., 1908-06-24
CHAPTER xx.-continued.

CHAPTER xx.-Continued.
Doc! Doc Lockhart! Some one
send Doc over here quick? Gordon's
office. Be quick about it," he cried.
in loud, firm voice. Then he closed
the door and locked 1t. In response
to his call footsteps were heard rum
ming. The door was tried. Then came
loud knocking and voice demanding
admittance.
No one can come in but Doc" cried
Langford through the keyhole. Send
him quick. somebody. for Gods sake!
Where's Jim Munson? He'll get him
here. Quick, I tell you!"
He FASTENED back to the side OF his
friend and passed his hand gently over
the right side to find the place
whence came that heartbreaking drip.
Disappointed in their desire to get in
men crowded before the window.
Louise stepped softly forward and
drew the blind between him and the
mass of curious faces without. She
was very pale. but quiet and self
possessed. She had rallied when
Langford had whispered to her that
Gordon's heart was still beating. The
doctor raped loudly. calling to Lang
ford to open. Paul admitted him and
then stepped out in full sight of all.
his hand still on the knob. The late
moon was just rising. faint light
spread out before him.
Boys" he cried, great grief in his
stern voice, Its murder Dick Cor
don's murdered. Now get-you know
what for-and be quick about it,
They laid him gently on the floor.
took on his coat and cut away the
blood soaked shirts. Louise assisted
with deft, tender hands. Presently
the heavy lids lifted. the gray eyes
stared vacantly for moment-then
smiled. Paul bent over him.
What happened. old man." the
wounded man whispered gropingly. 1t
required much effort to say this little,
and shadow of pain fell over his
face.
You were shot, you know. Dick.
Keep quiet now! I'm going for a
stretcher."
Am l done for?" the weak voice
kept on. But there was 70 fear in It,
You will be II you keep on talking
like that"
Obeying a sign from the doctor he
slipped away and out. Gordon closed
his eyes and was still for a long time.
His face was white and drawn with
suffering.
Has he fainted?" whispered Louise.
The eyes opened quickly. They fell
upon Louise, who had not time to
draw away. The shadow of the old
sweet smile came and lowered around
his lips.
Louise" he whispered
Eyes, it is L." she said, laying her
hand lightly on his forehead You
must be good until Paul gets back"
I'm done for. SO the rest of the
criminal calendar will have to go over.
You can go back to-God's country
sooner than you thought"
Il am not going back to-God's
country" said Louise. unexpectedly.
She had not meant to say it. but she
meant it when she said 1t.
Come here. close to me, Louise"
said Gordon, in a low voice. He had
forgotten the doctor. You had better
Ill get up If you don't. Closer still.
] want you to-kiss me before Paul
gets back"
Louise grew white. She glanced hes
itatingly at the doctor. timidly at the
new lover in the old man. Then she
bent over him where he lay stretched
on the floor and kissed him on the
lips. A great light came into his eyes
before he closed them contentedly and
slipped into unconsciousness again.
Langford rounded up Jim Munson
and sent him across with a stretcher.
and then ran upstairs for an extra
blanket of his own bed. 1t was bitter
ly cold. and Dick must be well
wrapped. On the upper landing he en-
countered Mary alone. Something in
her desolate attitude stopped him.
What's the matter. Mary" he de-
manded, Selling her hands.
Nothing she answered, DULY.
How is he?"
"All right, I trust and pray, but hurt
terribly, wickedly."
He did not quite understand. Did
she love Gordon? Was that why she
looked SO heart-broken? Taking her
face in his two hands. he compelled
her to look at him straight.
Now tell me-" he said.
Did | kill him?" she asked.
Kill whom
why. him-Jesse Black
Then he understood.
Mary, my girl. was it you? Were
those last shots yours?" All the RI
otous love in him trembled on his
tongue.