The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-01-11

ton and his daughter stepped out in
full view of raider and rescuer. Would
there be parley? A man, slouching in
his saddle, rode up into the circle of
lurid light. Was it Jesse Black? There
was something hauntingly familiar
about the droop Of the shoulders. That
was all; hardly enough to hang
man.
Langford raised his rifle quickly.
His nerves were perfectly steady. His
sight was never truer. His bullet
went straight to the rifle arm of the
outlaw; with ringing shout he raj
lied his comrades, spurred his pony
forward, and the little party charged
the astounded raiders with a fury of
shots that made each rustler stand
we'll to his own support, leaving the
Williston's, for the time being, free
from their attention.
The desperadoes were on the run.
They cared to take no risk of identi-
fication. 1t was not easy to determine
how many there were. There seemed
a half-dozen or more, but probably
four or five 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, Langford was in time to see
big, muscular fellow swing girlish
form to the saddle in front of him.
Quick as a flash he spurred forward,
lifted his heavy Colts revolver high
over his head and brought it down on
the fellows skull with force that
knocked him senseless without time
for sigh or moan. AS his arms fell
lax and he toppled in his saddle,
Langford caught the girl and swung
her free of ENHANCEMENT.
poor little GIRL" he breatehed over
her as her white face dropped with
unconscious pathos against his big
shoulder. poor little girl-I'm sorry
Il didn't mean to-honest--I'm sor-
ry." He chafed her hands gently.
And I don't know where your father
is, either. Are you hurt anywhere, or
have you only tainted? God knows
don't wonder. 1t was hellish. Why,
child, child, your arm! 1t is broken!
Oh, little girl, didn't mean to-hon-
est-honest. I'm sorry"
Jim rode up painting, eyes blood.
shot.
1--WE can't find him, boss. They've
carried him of, dead or alive"
Els it SO, Jim? Are you sure? How
far did you follow?"
1--WE must have followed the wrong
lead. If any one was ridin' double, it
wasn't the ones we were after, that's
one thing sure. The blamed boss
thieves pulled clean away from us.
Our bosses were plumb winded any.
way. And-there's deader out there,
boss" lowering his voice; Il found
him as I came back"
"That explains why no one was rid.
ing double" said Langford, thought.
fully.
"How's the gal, boss?"
II don't know, Jim. don't know
what to do now"
His eyes were full of trouble.
"Ain't no use cryin' over split milk
and that's fac. Bout as sensible as
tryin' to pick it up after it is split.
We won't find Williston this here
night. that's one thing sure. So we'll
just tote the little gal home to the
Three Bars with us"
The boys were returning, silent,
gloomy, disconsolate. They eyed the
boss tentatively. Would they receive
praise or censure? They had worked
hard.
You're all right, boys" said Lang
ford, smiling away their gloom. "But
about the girl. There is no woman at
the Three Bars, you know"
! $50 you'd leave her out all night to
the dew and the coyotes and the boss
thieves, would you," interrupted Jim,
with fine sarcasm, "jest because
there amt no growed-up woman at the
Three Bars? What dye think Willis
toms little gal'd care for style? She
amt afraid O. us OIL grizzled fellers.
hope to the Lord there won't never
be no growed-up woman at the Three
Bars-yep, that's what I hope.
think that mouse-haired gal reporter
d be just turrible fussy, and think
she's goin' to marry down eastern
er chap, anyway"
Gust pick up that fellow, will you,
boys, and strap him to his horse, and
we'll take him along" said Langford
Il don't believe he's dead"
{: what fellow" asked the Scribe
peering casually about.
Langford had unconsciously ridden
forward a bit to meet the boys as they
had clattered up shamefacedly. Now
he turned.
"Why, that fellow over there.
knocked him out"
He rode back slowly. There was nc
man there, no the trace Of a man
They stared at each other moment
silently. Then Langford spoke.
mo, am not going to leave Willis
tons little girl out in the dew" he
said, with an inscrutable smile