Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-03-26
Langgford
of the
3 Bars.
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Moving Shadow.

The Moving Shadow.
I'D rather not talk about It tonight.
I'm not equal to It. It's too-too-it's
: deyilish. Paul. don't seem to be able
to grasp 1t. I can't think about It
with any conference. ! was sure-so
sure"
Gordon was staring modify out OF
the window. one arm hanging idly
over the back Of his chair. He had
taken up Office room in an empty shop
building across the street from the
hotel.
Its so devilish. it's weird" agreed
the ranchman. But your part was
great. You vanquished Jesse Black.
That is more than we hoped for q
week ago. Is It your fault or mine
that those fool deputies acted like
flies in tangle.foot and went spraddle
fingered when something was expect
ed of them? We have nothing to do
with a little thing like broken win
dow.pane."
There was an ugly cut on his fore
head caused by his violent contact
with the sharp edge Of the window
casing. He was pale. but he had lost
none OF the old faith In himself or In
his power TO dominate affairs in the
cattle country. Defeat was intolerable
to him. He refused to bow his head
to It. To-day's check only made him
the more determined. II that were
possible, to free the land Of Its shame.
III pull myself together again.
never fear" said Gordon. Just give
me tonight You see that's not all.
I've something else TO think about,
too, now that l have time. 1t takes q
IsfQ,,,a1EiaaznaRe-away TO have every.
thing that Is worth while drop out at
once. But I've rallied before. / know
I'm beastly selfish not to talk to you
tonight, but
Dick" interrupted Langford, blunt
", did she turn you down."
II never asked her. She Is going
back-home-next week."
IF you let her."
You don't quite unerstand, Paul, !"
said Gordon, little YEARLY. She
said she could never live in this coun'
try-never. She would die here. Could
ask her after that? Could ask any.
way, and be a man? I know. She
would just pine away"
Girls don't pine-only In imagina'
ton. They are tougher than you give
them credit for"
But somehow, Mary seems diner
emit" said Gordon. thoughtfully. He
surprised a flush in his friends cheek.
You deserve her, old man, you'll be
very happy. She is the right kind. ]
congratulate you with all my heart"
An odd lump came into Langford's
throat. Despite Gordon's vigorous and
healthful manhood. there seemed al
ways certain pathos Of life surround.
ing him.
Il haven't asked her, either" con-
fessed Paul. But you have made II
possible for me to do so-to-night-
ftomorrow-whenever I can find .
chance. Take my advice, old man.
don't let your girl 60. You'll hnd she
( Is the kind after al. You don't know
her yet"
$ Paul left the room, and Gordon
paced the narrow confines Of his shah
! BY ofice--back and forth-many
times. Then he threw himself once
more into his chair. The hours were
long. He Ma al night to think about
things. When morning came. all his
weakness would be over. No one
! shop]d ever again see him 30 I'M
manned as Paul had seen him to.
night. And when Louise should go
{ HIS arms fell nervelessly to the table.
He remained thus a moment. his eyes
,,axed and unseeing. and then his
head dropped heavily upon his arms.
Alone In the night Louise awoke.
she found It impossible to fall asleep
.Sasn She was nervous. II must be
4 romeihinx IN the atmosphere. She
I i5s.e1 and tossed and fiounced and
Tounc6d. She counted up to thou
rHnds. she made her mind q blank
81 oft6n that she new TO thinking to
....[o7 tlis emptiness Of II. Still her
11Ss were vide and her mind fairly
n.ouiver with activity. She slipped
out OF bed. She would tire herself
into sleep. She even dressed she
would show herself. II she must be .
midnight prowler. she would wear the
garments people affect when they
have their thoughts and energies on
matters mundane. Drawing the oil
stove close to the window fronting
the street. she sank into q chair. drew
q heavy shawl over her shoulders, put
her feet on the tiny fender and pre-
pared to fatigue herself into oblivion
A light shone from the window
across the way. HsWns sun At work.