The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-02-27
TContinued fromIpage 2.

ways, WdtCulIS CuduCt W uoOSe Vut
again. When vehicles passed from the
comparative solidity of the main street
out into the morasses that constituted
the rest OF the town. they adventured
perilously, their horses plunging. snort
ing, terrified. amid an atmosphere of
profanity. Discouraged animals were
down constantly, and no foot passen-
ger. even with rubber boots. ventured
of the planks that led from house to
house.
To avoid a splashing team Dextry
pulled his companion close III against
the entrance to the Northern saloon.
standing before her protectingly.
Although it was late in the after
noon, the Bronco Kid had just arisen
and was now loafing preparatory to
the active duties of his profession. He
was speaking with the proprietor when
Dextry and the girl sought shelter
just without the open door, so he
caught a fair though heeting glimpse
of her as she flashed curious look in
side. She had never been so close to
gambling hall before and would have
liked to peer in more carefully had she
dared, but her companion moved for
ward. At the first look the Bronco
Kid had broken of in his speech and
stared at her as though at an appari-
ton. When she had vanished, he
spoke to Reilly:
who's that?"
Reilly shrugged his shoulders: then.
without further question, the Kid turn
ed back toward the empty theater and
out of the back door.
- He moved nonchalantly till he was
-outside. then with the speed Of q colt
ran down the narrow planking between
the buildings. turned parallel to the
front street, leaped from board to
board. splashed through puddles Of
water, till he reached the next alley.
Stamping the mud from his shoes and
pulling down his sombrero, he saunter-
ed out into the main thoroughfare.
Dextry and his companion had cross
ed to the other side and were ap-
preaching, so the gambler gained a
fair view Of them. He searched every
inch Of the girls face and figure, then.
as she made to turn her eyes In bis d.
rection, he slouched away. He follow
ed, however, at a distance. till he saw
the man leave her, then on up to the
big hotel he shadowed her. A half
hour later he was drinking Ia the
Golden Gate barroom with an ac-
Quaintance who mlnistered to the me-
chanical details behind the hotel
counter.
who's the girl saw come In just
now?' he inquired.
II guess you mean the judges
niece"
Both men spoke In the dead, re-
strained tones that 60 with their call.
ings.
What's her name"
Chester, think. Why? Look good
to you, Kid"
Although the other neither spoke nor
made sign, the bartender construed his
silence as acQuiescence and continued,
with conscious glance at his own re-
fection while he adjusted his diamond
scarfpin: "Well, she can have me! I've
got it fixed to meet herr
Bah! / guess not" said the Kid
suddenly, with an infection that star
tied the other from his preening. Then,
las he went out, the man mused:
Gee! BrOncos got the worst eye In
the camp! Makes me creep when he
throws it on me with that muddy look.
He acted like he was jealous"
At noon the next day, as he prepared
to go to the claim, Dextry's partner
burst in upon him. Glenister was dis
heveled, and his eyes shone with in
tense excitement.
"What d. you think they've done
now" he cried as greeting.
81 dunno. What is it,"
They've broken open the safe and
taken our money"
what"
The old man IN turn was on his feet
the grudge which he had felt against
Glenister in the past few days forgot
ten in this common misfortune
"YeS. by heaven. tney We SWlpeu our
money, our tents. tools. teams. books,
hose and all of our personal property
everything. They threw Johnson Oh
and took the whole works. / never
heard of such thing. went out to
the claim, and they wouldn't let me
90 near the workings. They've got
every mine on Anvil creek guarded
the same way. and they aren't going
to let US come around even when they
clean up. They told me so this morn
ting"
y "But, look here" demanded Dextry
sharply, 'the money in that safe be-
longs to u.s. That's money we brought
in from the States. The court amt
<,ot no right to 1t. What kind Of a
damn law is that"
ooh, as to law. they don't pay any
I..+;on to n any more" said Glen