Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-01-30

played havoc with the cquinbrtum OF
less seasoned horsemen than cowboys.
They followed with the precision and
accord OF trained cavairymsn. Now
and then could be seen black. sinis-
ter figurs patrelling the burning home
stead. but hugging closely the outer
skirt Of darkness. waiting for the
doomed door TO open.
"Boys!" began Langford. But he
never gave the intended command to
charge st once with Wild shouting and
shooting 10 frighten away the maraud-
srs and give warning to the bsslsged
that rescue was at hand. For 1t that
moment the door opened and Willis
ton and his daughter stepped out in
full view Of raider and rescuer. Would
thsrs b parisy! A man. slouching In
his saddle. rode up into the circle Of
iurid light. Was Il Jesse Biackf There
was something hauntingly familiar
about the droop Of the shoulders. That
was all; hardly enough TO hang Q
man.
Langford raised his rine quickly.
His nerves were perfectly steady. His
sight was never truer. His bullet
went straight TO the rife arm Of the
outlaw; with Q ringing shout he raj
lied his comrades. spurred his pony
forward. and the little party charged
the astounded raiders with . fury Of
shots that made each rustlsr stand
well 10 his own support. leaving the
williston's. for the time being. free
from their attention.
The desperadoes were on the run.
They cared 10 take no risk Of identi.
iacatica. Il was not easy 70 determine
how many thsrs were. There seemed
Q half-dozep or more. but probably
four or Avs at the most would tell
their number.
The flames were sinking. Willis
ton had disappeared. The boys scat.
tered In Wild pursuit. Wheeling his
horse, LaAgfsrd was In time 70 see
q big. muscular fellow swing girlish
form to the saddle In front Of him.
Quick % Q fash he spurTsd forward.
lifted his heavy Colts revolver high
over his head and brought Il down on
the fellows skull with . force that
knocked hin ssnselsss without time
for Q sigA Or moan. A his arms fell
lax and he toppled In his saddle.
Langford caught the girl and swung
her tree Of sntanglement.
Poor little GIRL" he hrsatshed over
her % hsr Waite face dropped with
unconscious pathos against his big
shoulder. ''Poor little giSi-rm sorry
II didn't mean to-honest-l'm sor-
IT," He chafsd her hands gently.
And don't know where your father
n. either. Are you hurt anywhere, or
have you only tainted! osd knows !
don't wonder. Il was hsllish. Why.
child, child. your arm! Il u broken!
Oh. little girl. I didn't mean to-hon-
est-honest. I'm SORRY"
Jim rode up painting eyes blood.
shot.
We cant and him. boss. They've
carried him Oh, dead or alive"
Els Il 90. jim? Are you sure? How
far "a yos foiiowf'
I'VE must have followed the wrong
leaA. II any one was sidin' double, Il
want the ones We ware after. that's
one thing sure. The blamed boss
thieves pulled clean away from NJ.
Our hossss were plumb winded any
way. And--there's dsadsr out there.
bosa" lsWsring his voice; Il found
him % ! came back"
THAT explains why no one was rid
ing deubla" said Langferd. thought
fully.
"How's the gal. bossf'
Z don't know. Jim. f-dont know
what to q now"
His eyes were full of trouble.
Amt no use cryin' over split milk
and that's fac. Bout 40 sensible 10
tryin' 70 pick It up altar Il 10 split.
We wont nnd Wiltistoa this here
night. that's one thing ssrs. 30 we'll
JUST tote the little gal home to the
Three Bars with 40"
The boys were returning. silent.
gloomy. aiscensolate. Thsy eyed the
boss tentatively. Would sAey receive
praise or esnsuref Thsg had worked
hard.
You're all right. boys." said Lang
ford. smiling away their gloom. But
about the girl. There u no woman at
the Three BARS. you knov--"
80 you'd leave her ent Ill night 70
the dew and the coyotes and the boss
thieves. would you." Interrupted Jim,
With . 1ns sarcasm. "jest because
there amt no growed-up woman at the
Three Darsf What dye think Willis
ton's little gal'd care for style? She
aint AFRAID . ~ a. grisxied feilsrS.
I hope 10 the Lord there woat never
b no grewsd.up woman ct the Three
Bars-ysp. that's what 7 hope. I'll
think that mouse-hairsd gal reporter
z b Just turrible fnsay. and think
she's q Boin' 70 marry dswn eastern
o. chap. anyway"
"Just pick up that feiisv. win you.
boys. and strap him - his horse. and
ven take him along" said Langford.
Il don't believe he's dead"
"What felioWf" asked The Scribe.
pesring casually about.
IawWRnrA Aaa mas nnfnaInlv Ff1dnn