Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-27

looked into the ominous Threats of a pair of
six-shooters, and five pairs of hands pointed
to the roof as though their owners were making
a double handed affirmation.
kInnard'S coat hung away from his bare
chest, smeared red with the blood of Cayuse
and the guns in his hands held a depressing
unhappy Steadiness as he said crisply, Somers
Will collect your weapons, and II any man
makes play I've got to quiet him. Just pass
round behind the gents. Somers, and unbuck1e
Keep out of linei"
As the constable moved from man to man,
even the click of buckle sounded loud and
vibrant III the deathly stiffness that was over
all There was something terrible in the
knowledge thai the man who stood silent and
erect in the doorway, his bare chest splashed
with blood, might deal death indiscrimipately
at the least false move. The girl crouched ON
her knees, her arms still under the head of
Cayuse. The intensity of the dramatic scene
held her fascinated, to the utter oblivion of
her cramped poise. Something of kinnairds
thought in drawing her out of the line of fire
floated hazy in her mind.
Somers slipped the pistol belt from kootenay,
who was last in line, backed to the wall. and
followed it till he stood beside Kinnaird, where
he stood slipping his recovered pistol in his
belt.
Now, gentlemen" Kinnaird said. and his
voice had changed from the sharp, imperious
ring to soft drawl, "you may put down your
hands and line up against the other wall.
Somers will drop your weapons down the we'll
behind the shack. except two rifles, which we
will borrow and send back. And, Somers
strip the horses and stampede them. Watch
your own doesn't get away Then saddle
Badger and bring him to the door.
NOW. Mayo, there's little explanation COM
ing to you. Your pastor has resigned
I'm sorry had to make this gun play; but |
couldn't stand to win out at the cost of any
reflections on one of the cleanest living, best
little women on this green earth. Chris told
that story against herself to save my life, as
she thought, and to keep you men from max
ing fool play that would have put you on the
hunted trail. She never went to see Somers
for herself. she's been trying to keep the boy
away from her. She's girl such as God makes
in awhile such as makes man that's
been playing the spy feel cheap"
There was an nartculate cry from the girl
a sob, as though she had suffered physical
statement.
Without taking his eyes off the men Kin
naird said, Yes, Chris, | was just spy. |
came here for that purpose. | was a wolf in
sleeps clothing skukng in this black coat to
turn your father and the rest of them over to
the police. Do you hear that, Mayor And,
by heaven' you deserved it tool With your
whisky you've turned hell loose among the
Indians! But when Chris has to give herself
in pawn for me, throw down my hand. MY
way was as wrong as your cursed traffic is.
You mustn't hold it out against her; for It's
all my fault I think that's about all Mayo
Somers and | are going to ride out from Stand
Off. and if anybody is fool enough to follow.
we'll cheerfully pump him full of lead"
knnard leaned his shoulder against the
door lamb. his eyes resting passively on Mayo's
scowling face though he invited discussion
but nobody spoke. He had expected a TRADE
of denunciaton There was only an interval
of ominous silence. 1t was broken by the
voice of Somers at the door saying cheerfully:
" All ready, sir"
Good by, Chris" Kinnaird's voice reused
the girl from stupor. She came forward,
holding out her hand AS kinnaird held it
and looked in her eyes, he felt glad that he
was going away. glad that he had lost. The
sacrifice the girl would have made for him
marvelously great it dwarfed into
nothing the step in the force, won under cover.
With tired look in his face he turned to
Mayo and said, What Chris did wins Mayo
I'm free agent, I'm not in the service The
trail swallows up tonight"
As he backed through the door, Cayuse's
querulous voice called after him, Good by,
man. You're white
A S kinnaird lifted into the saddle through
= the door he saw Chris standing with her
face buried on her fathers shoulder.
Somers touched him on the arm. He looked
into the boys face-and drove the rowels up
Badgers flank.
THE END