The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-09-04
LANFRANC
W., - 80 g19sssCa1
BY {. A. COOK
lcop1ar1f. v 81orlslory rub- co1

Pih'-NtiNhH tHl Hflf " utH 4 Htt 70 the
cabin an a strange man there. lie
was good 70 look at yesl But not
like his eyes.
He had some great plan to get gold
from the brook, and / zee the father
already had the lust for riches in hts
face They dlg oil the time BY the
water and the girl talk and laugh
With The stranger. tell her one day
what ! tink about him, but she laugh
at me.
We'll one time feel like change,
aud J 50 on long trip. I shoot much
and sec many strange tings and live
as o man should live. But at las feel
something tell me to turn roun and
20 back. SO start on the back trail.
One morning | see the smoke Of a
camp fire, and fin Great Bear ana hls
tribe hunting buffalo.
Great Bear, he tell me something
about South Wind that make me strike
him. But Great Bear know that |
strike not him, but the words ana he
give me two fresh horses. and tell me
when have done what / have to do.
whore | should FIN him. 80 that the
blow might be wipe out. Then we
shake hands like men and ride on.
In tree days ride what I would
ride in seven at other time. When l
reach the valley | shoot one horse to
put him out Of pain. II was not nice,
no. and Il add a little grain to the
devil that was in me.
You have broke The stem of wild.
fiower2 Well. # was all the same /
tink she was glad 20 see me. but she
was ver' weak. The next day she die.
The next day We bury her BY the
brook she lof. and take my knife and
make a cut on the handle of my gun.
For whatg ! change t'lngs about. One
time in a mining camp a man who did
not know me, show me his pistol han.
die. II was all cut with notches. lie
tell me he make a cut every time he
Kill q man. t'lnk he try TO scare me-
| laugh, for do not like to see such
men, and ! say that the next cut he
make IN the handle / would kin him.
For a minute he look as though he
would shoot Then he laugh as though
was mad The next day he kill
young boy ut game az cards. 60
TO the place where he Is. and remln
him Of what have said. That was the
second time ! have ever start a fight.
Last night was the third
so | change t'ings about and make
a cut on my pistol handle to show
that | have not XIII. For tree years
feel that cut and swear sot to myself.
! took >saay trails and | stay at many
places but the face | look for did
not see. Once q year come here to
McGilfs. where the great trails to the
north and west cross The play is good
and many people pass.
Well, las night. the place was full.
You know how Il is--much talk, much
drink But Lanfranc has no lof to let
the white wine make a fool of him. SO
stand one side. and drink one. two
slass-not much. BY and BY the door
open and man come In. He not see
me, but have no need OF the white
wine 20 make my blood run fas. lie
been drinking. and he laugh an wave
bis hand At the crowd. and tell McGnl
10 iill up the glasses.
-Everybody YER glad to drink with
he stranger, bat I take my glass and
spin Il on the iioor before McGiAs
iog- He see what do. and he turn
luickl Tor Rhat you 90 thisf he say.
laugh and point where the dog has
urn away / think had rather drink
with McGll's deg than With you.
say and smile tn his face
"Men say am TOO quick to shoot
sut even las night. ! sive him much
lime. tie had his gun out before
lrav. Then ! draw quick. bat ! have
10 FEAR, for it was my time Il vas
ate hen ] cut the notch smooth on
ily pistol handle. See, I feel good.
I.anfrsnc laid the pistol down on the
'eneh before TIE other man. Sergeant
HACKS hand went oui mechanically
Q The pistol. and his fnSers ran caress. I
nkly aleng the smooth cut IN the
wood. Good, good he muttered
lalf so himself
I.anfFanc's finger touched the back
( tAe segkeAnts hand FOR second. !
shall we sc. mon amis~ he asked. /
oftly.
Sergeant Mack ssraightened up as u 4
.e we're ahoAs 10 kainte. Ma. Ian. 4
rane, hang il. no / an nOre a naA
han tA,s,f-snd he toached he
t7spc On his sleeve
l.anfranc's haack ewes 6ashea miih /
gi,aant smile. Yea have ne great /
aars moa ami. BE said simply. i
lse aerth tenixht 10 keep he Wora +
aiA Great Bear
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~ a.. 49,