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

clattered through the stable yards and.
before they ceased, two or three re-
volver shots rang out I'm rapid success
sion. Jim had fired into the air to
arouse the house
Springing from his reekiug bronco.
he ran quickly 70 the stable and threw
wide the door. Here the boss. the
first TO gain the outside because al
ready dressed. found him hastily sad
ding fresh mount Langford asked
no question. That would come later.
He stepped silently to Sadie's stall.
In an incredibly short space OF
time the rest OF the boys came leaping.
out OF the ranchhouse. slamming the
door behind them. To be up and do
ing was the meat they fed on. In less
than ten minutes they were all mount
ed and ready. five OF them, silent. full
20 the brim OF reckless hardihood,
prime for any adventure that would
serve TO break the monotony of their
lives. More than that. every fiber OF
their being, when touched. would re
spond. a tuneful sounding string OF
loyalty 90 the traditions Of the Three
Bars and 90 its young master. Each
was fully armed. They asked no ques-
ton. Yet there could be no doubt OF
a surprise when the time came FOR
action. They were always prepared.
these boys Of the most popular ranch
outfit west OF the river. Right IN the
face Of this popularity. perhaps be
cause OF H. they were a bit overbear-
Ing, these boys. and held fellowship
with any outside the Three Bars a
thing not 10 be lightly entered into.
Il was a fine thing 10 work for the
boss. and out OF the content accruing
therefrom sprang a conservatism like
that of the proudest aristocrat OF the
land.
Langford took the trail first. Jim
had said but the one word. willis
ton" 1t was enough. Nothing was
to be heard but the rapid though reg
ular pound of hoof-beats on the level
trail. IL is a silent country. the COW
country. and its gravity begets grav-
ity.
Langford, riding slightly in advance,
was having a bad time with himself.
The keenest self-reproach was stab
bling him like a physical pain. His
honor-his good honor, that he held so
high and stainless-was his word not
given by Il that the Wnlistons might
count on his sure protection? What
had he done 20 merit this proud boast?
Knowing that Jesse Black was once
more at liberty, fully realizing OF what
vast import 10 the state would be VII
should be brought to trial. he had sat
stupidity back and done nothing. And
he hSd promised. Would Williston
have had the courage without that
promise? Why were not some OF his
cowboys even now sleeping with an
eye upon that little claim shack where
lived that scholar-man who was not
ut for the rough life of the plains.
maybe. but who had been brave
enough and high-minded enough to lay
his all on the white altar OF telling
what he knew for rights sake. And
the girl
; God! The grill" he cried aloud.
What did you say. boss?" asked
Jim, pounding alongside.
Nothing" said Langford, CURLY.
He spurred his mare savageiy. In
the shock OF surprise, and the sting
that his neglected word brought him,
he had forgotten the girl-Wnliston'
little girl" with the grave eyes--the
girl who was not 10 but 20 and more
the girl who had waited for him,
whom he had sent on her long way
alone, 1oyously. as one free of a dirty
that promised TO be irksome-the girl
who had brought the blood to his face
when, ashamed, he had galloped of
TO the spring-the girl who had closed
her door when a mans curious eyes
had roved that way. How could he
forget?
The little cavaicade swept on with
increased speed. following the lead
OF the master. Soon the sound OF
shooting was borne to thera distinctly
through the quiet night
Thank God. boysi" cried Langford.