The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-11-24
AnAtmospllerIcD DelusIOn

.EDRy AAsHA A'Not W fANAlfAl'Nu Alfoa -NtoJ-
N2l clstionl
Whe1 Ned Pike, cowboy, rode up to
the rench of Franklin Doibearc OH the
evening" of the 10th of October, 1889,
he fohnd trouble in the household. Dol
beare was consumptive who had
gone from the east with bis wife and
two little children to live in Colorado
ia the hope of regaining his health.
The cause of the trouble was Jim New
ell That's all any one ever knew about
It. Why Newell was bent on killing
Dolbeare was a secret that neither
gave out. Anyway every one sympa-
thized with Dolbeare, first, because he
was a pleasant, mild marnered man;
second. because he was sick, and. third.
because he had the lovellest wife In
the world and two of the prettlest chill
dren Pike, who had been sent for by
Mrs, Dolbeare, found that lady waiting
for him in the living room.
Ned" she said, Newell has written
Frapt letter saying that he will shoot
him on sight unless he consents to n
more regular way OF meeting E6c
the letter, opened It and haven't said
anything to Frank about It. For heav-
ems sake try and get rid of Newell
without letting Frank know. In his
condition he isn't able to think about
It, much less stand up and fight"
''It wouldn't be fight. 1t would be
murder" said Pike
Cant you do somethingT
Pike took some tobacco from his
pocket, rolled a cigarette, lighted IT.,
gave a few thoughtful puffs and said.
How long has Newell been up here ?"
''He came yesterday"
Ever been in these parts befoFeT'
"Not that know off,
A few more deliberate pudfs
Just you don't worry, Mrs. Dol
beare. and don't say anything to any
body. I'll sec what can be done"
With that he went out, mounted his
norse and rode away. Later. after
maklng inquiries as to wheRe Newell
might be found. he rode up to an adobe
house where he saw his man sitting on
the porch.
'Afr. NewellT' he asked.
YES" said the other, with slight
start and placing his hand where he
could more easily grasp his vevolver.
''I've got message for you from
Tranklin Dolbeare. He'll meet you to-
n prov morning just before sunup."
"All right When? WheVc?"
''YoW stayln' here?'
"Yes."
"well, you start from hege With oae
six shooter at 5 o'clock exactly and
walk up the road. On the way you1l
meet your man with another six shoot.
er You can crack away aO soon as
you like. He'll do the same. Is that
satisfactory"
Yes; that suits me as vet &C any
way"
Late that night Pike rode up 20 The
ranch and asked Mrs. Dolbeare for g
suit OF heY husbands clothes
She gave him what he wanted with
anxious inquiry IN heg face, but asked
no questions. Pike gave he's no In
formation Before daylight the Rext
morning he had shaved or HE beaFd
and put on Dolbeare's suit. Then he
drew his sombrero over his eyes, look
ed at the clock, examined his revolver
and started &C slow pace down che
poad.
1t was q cloudless, crisp autumn
morning. The altitude was 1000 feet
above sec level. and the neighborine
peaks stood out clear cut against the
slowly lighting sky. Presently the
cowboy squatted behind a bush at the
side of the road. waited and watched
Ten minutes later Newell turned O
bend and appeared plainly IN sight
Pike waited. Newell came on. Sud
denly Pike left the bush and appeared
in the road. The moment Newell saw
him he raised his revolver and fired
but without effect. Then he fired two
more shots, and as he saw his enemy
still advance unharmed he appeared tC
be astonished. But at that moment
pike fred a shot. This drew another
from Newell, making four. Pike fired
two shots in succession and Newell
AIRED one.
Pike now had three shots IN his re
volver to Newells one. Pike stopped
and appeared TO be taking a deliberate
aim His enemy, fearing he would thi:
time surely be hit, fred bis last shot.
Then Pike, who had been walking
slowly. increased his pace. Newell
throwing away his empty revolver, Dui
his hand to his hip, drew anoS oSfer enc
began a rapid fusillade.
"The houndg muttered USa he
tween his teeth.
It was evident that Newell had losI
his head. It was not surprising that hs
should. He had fired nearly a dozet
shots. any one az which he felt SURE
when be fIfed It would bring down his
man. Yet Mat man kept advancing
apparently SETTING no nearer But pres
emily the shots began 70 whistle abou
Pixies head, though so great was his
enemy's agitation that none OF then
told. Suddenly Pike stood still, tool
deliberate aim and shot his maj
through the forehead.
While Mrs. Dolbeare was dressing
for breakfast she was told that Pike
wished to see her Throwing or ;