The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1908-04-29
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ESSNgN the pung boot crunched the
C@s1@y snow behind them. They
turned, and there was Lounsbury,
fairly bursting to tell his good news.
When he had told it he was anxious
to get away again, for by a quick re-
treat the two girls might be saved the
knowledge of the Clark episode, and
he a very probable second insult But
the evangelist, having no wish to tat
tie about Lancaster, yet hoping that
the elder girl would learn what her
father had done and administer a de-
served rebuke, urged him in.
The storekeeper did not consent to
enter the shack. however until Dallas
added her invitation, and then he went
reluctantly. He was accustomed to
courtesy there on the frontier The
| plains bred men that he knew instinc-
lively took him at his real valuation
and treated him accordingly. The men
of more conventional strata (he pro-
fessional men of Bismarck and those
who differed at the posts up and down
| the river freely bestowed their friend
ship upon him. The lawless element
respected him, too, and showed that
respect by letting him severely alone.
He shrank from placing himself where
a man like Lancaster - crippled, old
and therefore beyond disciplining -
could have the chance to repeat an
affront. And he shrank at the thought
of clash-it meant pain for two help
less women. Nevertheless he yielded.
The streamers were gone from the
sky by then. They had faded as quick
ly as they had come. Once more, I'M
der a dome of cobalt, the river flowed
black between its fringe of trees and
the prairie stretched white and still
A bright fire and a swinging coffee
pail welcomed the three as the door
swung wide. and the section boss, who
was urging Marylyn to rustic some
grub" turned with a testy word. But
he fell silent when he saw Lounsbury
and edged into the dusky shelter of
the hearthside.
The storekeeper nodded to him
shook hands absently with the young
er girl and took bench. His face
looked less full than usual and was
lighted by no hearty smiles.
Little was said until breakfast was
ready-a quick breakfast of bacon
pone and coffee The three men warm
ed themselves. The girls moved be
tween fireplace and table. But Wher
the plates were set and the coffee
poured David Bond asked for the story
T of Matthews doings, of the affair a
the saloon. the meeting with Colone
Cummings and the council. Dallas
and Marylyn heard 1t from where the!
stood together before the blaze. Ian
caster heard 1t, though he pretended
not to, eating and drinking the while
with angry smacks.
Lounsbury paid no attention TO Tn
section boss-in fact. before his recita
was done. he had forgotten him. IL
talked quietly and without Boosting
his face now turned to David Bono
now to the girls.
"And you think" said the evangelis
when the story was finished, "yo
think that Matthews will drop hi
claim to the bend?"
Lounsbury arose as If to go, and fo
the first time since his entrance locke
squarely at Lancaster. This Is VIVA
7 think" he answered. I'm Dakota,
a man Jumps land that hasn't been In
proved, all he's got to do Is to hang O
TO it-doh't have to rassle with an
fine points of law. This far west
stuffed chairs there's a whole lot
public sentiment" He crossed the rool
and picked up coat and cap.
"Of course" added David Bon
following the law would strengthe
the case"
: "Of course"
| The section boss adjusted b
crutches and stood up. "You-all see
t. be settlin' it 'thout any o. my lip
he said aud laughed mockingly.
1--WE have your interests at heart
! replied the storekeeper.
Lancaster ground his teeth. No
that all danger was past he felt I
gratitude for the routing of Matthew
| and the strategy at the Troopers D
l light. He could only feel that his a
thority In his own home was threa
! ened. He turned his back.
; Lounsbury glanced at the girls. Tit
e were watching their father apes
ingly.
!. (ro be Continued
Il