Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-01-09


plumb pretty" retorted Langford. q
laugh In his blue eyes. Jim fairly
gasped with chagrin.
Unconcerned. grinning, Black SLOUGH
cd to the door and out. Once straight'
en- out that lazy-looking body and you
would have n big man In Jesse Black.
Yes. a big one and a quick one. too.
maybe. The crowd made way for him
unconsciously. No one jostled him.
He was n marked man from that day.
His lawyer, Small. leaned back In his
chair, radiating waves OF self-satisfac'
ton as though he had just gained q
disputed point. II was a manner he
affected when not on the floor In q
frenzy Of words and muscular action.
Jim Munson contrived to pass by
Jake Sanderson.
so you followed me to find out
about Mag, did you? Heap o. good It
did you! We knew you knew" he
Dragged insultingly.
The mans face went white with
wrath.
Damn you!" he cried. His hand
dropped to his belt.
The two glared at each like fighting
cocks. Men crowded around, sudden
ly aware that q quarrel was on.
THE Three Bars q gittin' busy"
jeered Jim.
Come. Jim, want YOU" II was
Gordon's quiet voice. He laid a re-
straining hand on Munson's overzeal-
our arm.
"Dick Gordon, this amt your put
In" snarled Sanderson. Git out the
way" He showed him roughly aside.
Now, snappin' turtle to Jim. the
Three Bars d better git busy!"
A feint at a blow. clever little
twist of the feet. and Munson sprawl
ed on the floor, men pressing back to
give him the full force Of the fall.
They believed in fair play. But Jim,
uncowed, was up with the nimbleness
of q monkey.
Hit away" he cried. tauntingly. Il
know 'nough to swear out warrant
! 'gainst you! IT won't be so lonesome
for Jesse now breakin' stones over to
Sioux Falls"
"Jim!" 1t was Gordon's quiet, au-
thoritative voice once more. Il told
you wanted YOU He threw his arm
over the belligerent's shoulder.
Comm, Dick. l didn't mean to blab
so much" Jim answered. contritely.
They moved away. Sanderson fol-
lowed them up.
Dick Gordon" he said with cool
,deliberateness, you're too damned
anxious to stick your nose into other
peoples affairs. Learn your lesson,
will you? My favorite stunt is to
teach meddlers how to mind their own
business-this way"
II was not a fair blow. Gordon
doubled up with the force Of the punch
in his stomach. In a moment all was
confusion. Men drew their pistols. II
looked as II there was to be a free.for'
all fight.
Langford sprang to his friends aid,
using his fists with plentiful freedom
in his haste to get to him.
Never mind me-" whispered Cor
don. He was leaning heavily on Jims
shoulder. His face was pale, but he
smiled reassuringly. There was some
thing very sweet about his mouth
when he smiled. Never mind me.
he repeated. Get the girls out Of
this-quick. Paul"
Mary and Louise had sought refuge
behind the big table.
Quick. the back door," cried Lang
ford, leading the way; and as the
three passed out. he closed the door
behind them. saying. "You are al
right now. Run to the hotel. I must
see how Dick is coming on"
do you think he is badly hurt?'
asked Louise. Cant we help?"
Il think you had best get out of this
as quickly as you can. don't believe
he is knocked out. by any means, but
! want to be on hand for any future
events which may be called. Just fly
now. both Of you"
The unfair blow In the stomach had
given the sympathy Of most Of the
bystanders, for the time being at least
to Gordon. Men forgot, momentarily
their grudge against him. Understand
ing from the black looks that he was
not in touch. with the crowd, Sander.
son laughed-a short snort Of con
tempt-and slipped out Of the door
Unable to resist the impulse. Jim
bounded out after his enemy.
When Paul fastened around to the
front Of the building. the crowd was
; nearly all In the street. The tension
was relaxed. A dazed expression pre-
vailed-brought to life by the sudden
ness with which the affair had devel
oped to such interesting proportions
and the quickness with which It had
fiattened out to nothing. For Sander
son had disappeared, completely,
mysteriously, and In all the level land
/ scape, there was no trace Of him nor
sign.
"See q balloon, JIM" asked Lang
] ford, slapping him on the shoulder
] with the glimmer of q smile. well,
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