Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1908-04-02

one Hdu 1dlSeu 0eI nedu. mere
was an alert look on her face. She
leaned slightly toward the window.
Good God! A man can't stand
everything" cried Langford, hoarsely.
He tore the knotted handkerchief
from his throat. 1t was as II he was
choking Then he put his cool, strong
hand to her burning forehead and
gently smoothed back the rough hair.
Gradually, the fixed look of an indie
scribe horror passed away from her
face. The strained, hard eyes soften
ed. became dewy. She looked at him,
a clinging helplessness in her eyes,
but sweet and sane.
Don't you worry, child" he said
comfortingly. They can't help find.
ing him. Twenty men with the sheriff
start on the trail. There'll be so be.
fore night. They can't help finding
him. I'm going to stay right here
with you till doc comes. I'll catch
up with them before they've gone far.
I'll send word to the boys not to wait.
Must be somebody around the house
reckon, besides the old lady"
He started cheerily for the door.
Mr.. Langford!"
"Yes?"
please come back"
He came quickly to her.
What is it,"
favor?"
Certainly, Miss Mary. Anything in
this world that | can do for you / will
do. You know that, don't you?"
Il am all right now. l don't think
| shall get crazy again if you will let
out. If | can watch for him, it will
give me something TO do. You see,
could be watching all the time for the
party to come back over that little
rise up the road. | want you to
promise me-" she went on, steadily
that | may sit here and wait for
yOu-to come back"
God knows you may, little girl, any.
way till doc comes"
You are wiser than doc" pursued
the girl He is good fellow, but
foolish, you know, sometimes. He
might not understand. He might like
to use authority over me because
am his patient-when he did not un
derstand. Promise that | may sit til
you come back"
Il do promise, little girl. Tell him
said so. Tell him"
Ill all IA
she said, with pitiful little attempt
at jest, and smiling wanly. HE will
mind-the boss"
Langford was in agony. Perspira
ton was springing out on his fore
head though August was wearing
away peacefully in soft GOODNESS with
drifting depths of white cloud as a
lounging-robe-a blessed reprieve
from the blazing sun of the long
weeks which had gone before.
And then | want you to promise
me-" went on Mary, quietly, that yor
will not think any more of staying be
hind. / could not bear that. | trus
you to go. You will, won't you?"
Yes, will go. l will do anythins
you say. And | want you to believ,
that every thing will be all right. The,
would not dare to kill him now, know
ing that we are after them. If we ar,
not back tonight, you will not worry
will you? They had so much the star
of us"
Il will try not to worry"
well, goodbye. BE n good girl
won't you?"
Il will try" she answered, YEARLY
With last look into the brave
sweet face and smothering a mad, ur
cowman-like desire to stay and CON
fort this dear little woman while 9th
ers rode away in stirring quest, Lang
ford strobe from the sickroom int
the kitchen.
Don't let her be alone any NOR
than YOU can help, Mother White" h
said, brusquely, "and don't worry he
about going to bed"
, Have a bite afore you start, MI
, Langford, do urged the good woman
Hospitality. You're that worn on
; you're white around the gills. I'll be
you havn't had airy bite O breakfast
, Il had forgotten-but you are RICH
, No, thank you, I'll not stop for an!
|, thing now I'll have to ride like kin!
dom come. I'm late. Be good to he
Mother White" this last over hi
, shoulder as he sprang to his mouI
from the kitchen stoop,
Ito BE Continued)