Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-01-02

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With the swift. half.intuitive thought
the serpent entered Eden.
CHAPTER VI.
"Nothins but Hoss Thief, Anyway"
The island teemed with early sun.
flowers and hints Of goldenrod yet to
come. The fine. white. sandy soil
deadened the sound of the horses
hoofs. They seemed TO bs spinning
through. space. Under the cotton.
woods It grew dusky and still.
At the toll house dingy blackboard
in q state Of weird dilapidation. with q
team Of shaggy buckskin ponies. stood
waiting. Jim drew up. Two men
were lounging In front Of the shanty,
chatting to the toll.man.
Hello. JIM" called one Of them, q
tall, slouching fellow with sandy col.
oring.
New. how the devil did you Git
% familiar with my nams!" growled
Jim.
THE Three Bars Is gettin' busy
these days." spoke up the second man.
With an ihsolent grin.
You het. II. Ia" Dragged Jim. when
the officers o. the law KIT 70 sIeepnf
with boss thieves and rustlers. and
take two weeks to arrest q bunch ol
''em. when they know prezactly where
they keep thirselves. and have tc
have special deputies appinted over
EN- Ave or times and then lei
most o the .ach slip through theiI
fingers, It's time for some one to gil
busy. And when Jesse Black and his
gang ara SO desp'rit they pizen the
chef Witnesses"
A gentle pressure on his arm
stopped him. He turned inquiringly
Il wouldn't say any more" whisper
ed Louise. Let's get on"
The hint was sufficient. and with the
words, Right you are. Miss Reporter.
well be gittin' on" Jim paid his toll
and spoke to his team.
Just wait q bit, will your" spoke
up the sandy man.
What fort"
We're not just ready"
well, We are" shortly.
I'VE arn't. and we don't care to be
passed. you know"
He spoke indifferently. In defer
ence to Louise, Jim waited. The men
smoked on carelessly. The toll.man
fidgeted.
"You 90 to hell! The Three Bars
amt waitin' on no damned boss
thieves" said Jim, suddenly.
His nervous team sprang forward.
Quick as fash the sandy man was In
the blackboard. He struck the bays
q singing blow with his rawhide. and
as they swerved aside he swung into
the straight course to the narrow
bridge Of boats. In another moment
the way would be blocked. With Q
burning oath Jim, keeping to the side
Of the steep incline till the river mire
cut him on, deliberately turned his
stanch little team squarely and
crowded them forward against the
shaggy buckskins. Il was team
against team. Louise. clinging tightly
to the seat. lips pressed together to
keep back any sound. felt wild. In
applicable thrill Of confidence In the
strength Of the man beside her.
The bays were pitifully. cruelty
dashed by the enraged owner Of the
buckskins, but true as steel to the f.
miliar voice that had guided them
90 often and 20 kindly. they gave not
nor faltered. There was q swapping
Of broken wood, . wrench. Q giving
way. and the runabout sprang over
debris Of broken wheel and wagoa.box
TO the narrow confines Of the pontoon
bridge.
The Three Bars is gettin' husyl'
gibed Jim over his shoulder.
Its q sorry day for you and yours"
cried the other. In black and ugly
wrath.
I'VE amt afraid. You're nothin' but
, hoss thief. anyway" responded Jim.
gleefully, a. q parting shot.
Nov what do you suppose was
heir game!" he asked Of the girl At
ais side.
Il don't know answered Louise, !
lhoughtfully. -BVt l. thought It not
rise TO say too much TO them. You
,rs q witness. ] believe you .nald."
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