Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1908-09-17

Copyright, BY sAOrtstOry Pub. CO..

eo'Sih' SuOhln4 q cigarette.
McGin had gone to the window and
was looking out across the prairie.
There's some one coming this way"
ne said. Too far out to tell who he
is"
Lanfranc waved the smeke away
from before his face. you have not
the eagle eye. McGin. 1 have seen
him since he pass the Zig Stone. 1t Ia
Sergt. Mack"
McGill turned quickly. That means
you. then" he said. II told you thew
would get word to the post before
morning. But you are always cock
sure, you wouldn't start for the lower
cut last night a. wanted you to.
But come on Ysur horse is saddled.
l fixed him up this morning. Per-
hsps you can get on behind the ridge
before he spots you I'll hold him here
as long a. 1 oan, and give you a
chance TO ride for it"
McGill started for the side door. but
seeing that Lanfranc cid not move.
he faced around again Come on
mani" he cried. Good Codl I don't
want to see you hang"
Lanfranc calmly blew out a puff of
smoke. Il have seen fat men like
you. who drink TOO muoh OF the white
wine. and SIT down all the time, die,
when they get too much excite.
They choke all the Same an when they
hang" And he laughed ironically.
McGill grew red In the faos. 1t is
bad enough when you are trying to
helO q man save his LIE 10 have him
laugh at you for your pains, but when
he throws In q sneer at your personal
appearance, 1t IN unhearahle.
Well, you sAa hang. and b g."
he snsrted.
Lanfranc was still smiling when
Serst. Mack opened the door. and he
waved his hand gayly In greeting.
Has the Rider OF the Law como to
taste MeGil's sveet-watsrf'' he asked.
throwing his thumb hack ever his
sheuldsr at the rev Of bottles.
flicker Of . smile came over
Ssrgt. Maok's faoa. - he caught sight
of the aggrsssiveiy Innocent display.
But IT died away ~ he walked up to
where LAnfranc sat.
NO" he replied. We viii look
after that some other time. I came
after you"
Lanfranc's eyes met the sergeant's
iAsolsntly. "Bien," he said. 'T am here.
I am not Ike McGiIl's whisky to run
into the ground when the Rider Of the
Law pleases TO ride this wsy."
Sergeant Mack did not appear to
notice the irony Of Lanfranc's tone.
Well" he said. Are you ready to
start?"
Lanfranc slipped swiftly OF the bar.
man, yes! So when say that have
the wish to speak to you for the time
of pipe first. do not say I could
kill you before you move your hand, II
you say no. say: Tt is my wish
and you" Lanfranc finished with g
wave Of his hand.
Sergeant Mack knew that Lanfranc
spoke the truth. Lanfranc could kill
him az the lightning strikes, for the
mans swiftness with his gun was a
proverb on the plains. Yet it was not
fear that made him nod his head in
assent to Lanfranc's questioning gaze.
He knew Lanfranc and liked him, as
much as = man with his clear-cut idea
of life could like q careless adventurer
OF Lanfranc's stamp. He knew also
that Lanfranc would not have made
such a request unless he had some
thing important to tell, and although
1t was his place to execute and not to
judge. there could be no harm in
hearing what the man had to say.
The smile flashed out again in Lam
francs face when he saw the sergeant
nod his head.
"Bisn, mon ami" he said. Brave
men do not kin each other without
reason. Is 1t not so? Lot us sit
down" He led the way across the
room to q long bench in front Of the
stove. Sergeant Mack seated himself
across it. and Lanfranc faced him,
politely offering him his tobacco. The
sergeant declined IL. Lanfranc rolled
a cigarette and lighted 1t.
TT 10 seven winters" he began,
since you and / were on the trail to-
gether, and much has happened. But,
I t'ink, you know me well enough to
know that Lanfranc Ia not what the
good priest would call pious-no!
Lanfranc's vices and virtues were
clear cut, and their posssssor had
stated them rs they were.
Lanfranc threw away his cigarette.
Two winters after we part at Lacolle.
/ go to place in the Great Hills.
Hunting was good, and like the place
SO well, mos t'ink would build me
q shack and stay for the res Of my
life. There YVES no one roun' but the
Indians, 'cept one white man, who had
put up q cabin in 8 little place whore
the wood open out on the hill.
THE man call himself Burton-and
l do not Ike him. He was made for
the town, not for the forest. But he
had a girl"
Lanfranc waved his hand at Ser
geant Mack, who had half started up.
sit still Yes! / know you have
known her. and she was like the wild
flower, IN It not so7 Great Bear had
name her South Wind And It was a
good name. have never lor any
woman, and I not lof her, but / feel
like a good man when she smile on