The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-11-13
Continued From Yesterday

-
can you mean TO say that the boss
here" began Sagcbrush. In his
anger making a rush at Mckee. He
was held back, but the disturbance at
tracted Echo and Mrs. Allen from the
kitchen. Echo hurried to her hus-
bands side. He slipped his arm about
her waist, and together they faced his
accuser.
"All you got to say is where did you
get the money! cried Buck. who had
seen Dick Lane pay It to Payson, and
conjectured that Payson did not dare
to reveal the fact of this payment, with
all the disclosure 1t implied.
"why. It was paid to mo BY
Then Jack stopped. He could not tell
who gave him the money. without re-
vealing to Echo tho return Of Dick.
The whole miserable lie would then
come out. Echo noticed Jacks hssi-
fancy.
What is it-what's the matterf" abe
asked. in frightened tones.
Nothing, nothing" no answered
lightly, to lessen her terror.
Hats off, everybody" commanded
Slim, In Difference to the presence OF
Echo.
who are these men-what's wrongf'
pleaded Echo.
Buck bowed to tho trembling woman,
who had thrown her arms about her
husbands neck.
"Nothin'," he exclaimed. "On1y we
want to know where your husband got
the money to pay off the mortgage on
this ranch"
The request seemed a very simple
one to Echo. All the talk OF harming
Jack, the high words, the threats, could
be silenced easily by her hero. Smiling
into his eyes, Echo said: "Teil them,
Jack"
ST can't" he faltered.
'Tt was paid to him by a friend"
bravely began Echo. "A friend to
whom he lent It some time ago"
Buck interrupted her explanation.
and where we can find him" Turning
to Jack. he builied; Come on-what's
his manner"
Jack closed his eyes to shut u the
sight of his wife. In his agony he
clenched his fists, until his nails sank
into the flesh. ct can't tell o that,
ne cried, in his misery
"Of course he can't" sneered Buck.
smiling evilly In his triumph.
"He can't cot for himself on. the
night OF the weddin'; he rides O pacin'
horse-rode on that night; he gets three
thousan' dollars paid him, and he can't
tell who paid 1t; what's the verdict7"
Buck did not walt for an answer.
Raising his voice, he shouted: Guilty"
damn you," beloved sagebrush.
lunging toward him, only TO be held in
restraint by his associates.
Jack! jack what have you to say"
begged Echo. :
Nothing" was his only answer.
'TelI him he Hest" cried Sagebrush.
"Jack, we eIl know you--you're as
white a maj as ever lived, n they
amt one of this outfit that ain't ready
to die for you right now
you bet!" chorused his mon.
HE amt goin' to get off like that
declared Buck. Looking confidently at
his own followers, he said: 1.-THE Lazy
X can take care of him."
Bucks men moved closer to him, pre-
pairing to draw their guns, II need DO,
and open fire on Jacks defenders.
look out, boss!" warned Sagebrush.
at the hostile movement of Buck and
his punchers.
Hold on" drawied the sheriff. who,
as the danger grew more real, became
more deliberate In his movements.
"They amt goin' to be nothin' done
here unless it's done In the law-you
all know me. boys-I'm the sheriff.
this mans my prisoner" Pointing 70
Jack, he added: "There amt nobody
goin' to take him from mean live
Buck saw Jack slipping from his
clutches. you're moi eoin' to oe
blurred by one man. are you. boys?"
NO. his punchers answered in
unison, crowding toward Jack. who
held UP his hand and cried: "Stopi I
want a fair DEAL and I'll get IT,"
'TIl settle this thing all right. All I
ask is a few words alone with my
wife"
Jack c1asped Echo to his breast a.
he begged this boon from tina mon who
sought his life.
"No!" clustered Buck
"Yes." ordered Slim, quietly but en-
p~hatically. "Mr. Payson-you'iI give
me your word you won't try 20 es-
ca ne %