Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1908-02-13

they keep thirselyes, and have tc
/. have special deputies app'inted over
EN- five or six times and then let
most O the bunch slip through their
fingers, It's time for some one to git
busy. And when Jesse Black and his
gang are so desp'rit they pizen the
chief wltncsscs---"
A gentle pressure on his arm
stopped him. He turned inquirlngly.
II wouldn't say any more whisper
ed Louise. Lets get on
The hint was sufficient, and with the
words, Right you are, Miss Reporter,
wen be gittin' on" Jim paid his toll
and spoke to his team.
Just wait a bit, will your" spoke
up the sandy man.
What for?'
We're not just ready"
well, we are" shortly.
1--WE arn't, and we don't care to be
passed, you know"
He spoke indiffercntly. In defer
ence to Louise, Jim waited The men
smoked on carelessly The toll-man
fldgeted.
You go to hell! The Three Bars
amt waitin' on no damned boss
thieves" said Jim suddenly.
With Il burning oath jim, keeping to
the side of the steep incline till the
river miro cut him off, deliberately
turned his stanch little team squarely
and crowded them forward against
the shaggy bucksliins. 1t was team
against team. Louise, cinging tightly
to the seat, lips pressed tYyether to
keep back any sound, felt 2lwild. in
expicable thrill of confiden.S in the
strength of the man beside her.
The bays were pitifully cruelty
dashed by the enraged owner of the
buckskins, but true as steel to the IA
miliar voice that had guided them
so often and SO kindly, they gave not
nor faltered There was a swapping
of broken wood, a wrench, a giving
way, and the runabout sprang over
debris of broken wheel and wagon-boX
to the narrow confines of the pontoon
bridge.
The Three Bars is gettin' busy"
gibed Jim over his shoulder.
IT'S a sorry day for you and yours, -
cried the other, in black and ugly
wrath.
I'VE amt afraid. You're nothin' but
boss thief anyway" responded Jim,
gleefully, as u parting shot
Now what do you suppose was
their game?" he asked of the girl at
his side.
81 don't know" answered Louise,
thoughtfully. But [ thought it not
wise to say too much to them. You
are a witness, | believe you said"
Then you think they are part O the
gang"
Il consider them at least sympa.
thizers, don't you? They seemed down
on the Three Bars"
In the Indian country at last. Mile
after mile of level, barren stretches
after the hill region had been left be-
hind. Was there no end to the thirst
inspiring, monotonous, lonely reach of
cacti? Prairie dogs, perched in front
of their holes, chartered and scolded
at them. Inc sun went down ana a
refreshing GOODNESS crept over the
hard, baked earth. Still, there was
nothing but distance anywhere in all
the land, and feeling of desolation
swept over the girl
The moon came up. Then there were
miles of white moonlight and lonely
plain. But for some time now there
has been a light in front of them. 1t
is as if it must be a will-o the-wisp.
They never seem to get to it. But at
last they are there. The door is wide
open A pleasant odor of bacon and
coffee is waited out to the tired tray
elers.
Come right in says the CHEEKY
voice of Mary. How tired you must
be, Miss Dale. Tie up, jim, and come
in and eat something before you 60
Well, you can eat again-two suppers
won't hurt you. | have kept things
warm for you. Your train must have
been late. Yes, dad is better, thank
YOU He'll be all right in the morn,
ing"
(TO BE CONT1NUED.)