The Yale expositor., 1908-09-18

along the line betting ran high. In
terest and excitement pervaded tows,
camp and home; touched even women
and children.
The supply train backed, switched.
loaded freight brought in the night be-
fore; yet did not pull out for the Front
as usual, but side-tracked and waited.
The iron was coming! 1t was due 1T
noon.
Hotel patrons had eaten and goLe.
Bill Bernard was out on an errand !;
and the house was deserted save for
the cook and scullion, and the two
women at their late breakfast. The
sun had not yet thawed the frost OF
the night when a shot rang out from
Sally BIS barroom.
She caught her pistol from some
near nook and rushed out, Esther fly
ing after her.
go back. child" Sally B. said stern
ly, from the doorway.
Not unless you CO." Esther re-
turned in voice as firm.
"Foller STILL then" the other whis-
pered. seeing opposition useless; and
they entered the barroom noiselessly.
A man with beetling brows and
fierce, resentful eyes stood with his
back to them. holding big revolver
somewhat unsteadily over Shack New
begin. whose hands We're high in air.
The intruder's clothes were soiled, his
boots dusty and cut from much walk
IA. Ii
vicious, threatening attitude, his body
dropped as from intense fatigue.
He did not hear the women; and bis
savage. low-spoken command showsd
him dangerously sure of himself.
Give me ten dollars out OF that
till. Do 1t quick, and keep STILL Ard
don't try shooting next time when a
man asks you for money; you might
get your wooden overcoat sooner'n
you'd like. Hurry up, there!"
Drop that gun, pardner!" Sally B.
said quietly.
She had waited barely a breath on
the threshold, yet Esther had smelled
burned powder, seen .Shack's pistol on
the floor, his dishevelled hair and the
bullet hole in the marauder's hat.
Shack had had the first shot. How
had the other mastered the situation?
The man wheeled, with blazing eyes,
to meet Sally BIS pistol barrel almost
at his head. His own weapon, uncon-
sciously lowered, left him helpless,
though he made a slight motion as IL
to lift il.
drop II, | say! Let go!" Her re-
volver touched his temple, and her
black eyes blazed message that COM
PEELED obedience.
He returned her look for an instant.
lowered his eyes sullenly. glanced
covertly about, and, stopping, laid the
pistol on the floor.
Now, git inter that cheer!"
Again he looked at her resentfully;
but only for a breath, when he bent
stiffly, and dropped heavily down.
Tie him. Shack. to the cheer; an
his hands behind him, an his feet to-
gether. How'd he git the drop on We?
/ see We got the first shot"
Yes. But reckoned he was only
drunk, an wasn't lookin' fur him to
fight | only shot to skeer; but he
jumped me like CREASED lightnin."
He looks holler; low grub amt
ben plenty. Had anything to eat late
ly?" she asked her prisoner.
He shook his head sulldly.
II thought so. Watch him, Shack"
she ordered, and after the tying was
done to her satisfaction. the two wom-
en- went out.
They returned shortly, Sally b. with
a generous breakfast; Esther, who re-
fused to let her come alone. carrying
the coffee. They arranged the food on
a chair, and Sally b. took up her re-
volver again.
Unite his hands, Shack"
You're the beatin est" Shack be-
gan, obeying her order reluctantly,
Ito go an feed a man that's tried to
rob ye."
NO matter. He's hungry. i
wouldn't turn hungry dog OFF without
a bone. Get to work. now" she said
grufny 10 the bandit AN while yo're
busy, tell what you wanted of ten dol
lars. Why didn't We ask fur the hull
till?"
because / wanted TO be white an
take only enough to get out of the
country with" Esther thought his
face softened a trifie.
why don't We work for II? The
Boss wants choppers; an everybody's
fyin' west like ole Nick was after
EN-"
That's my business. want to leave
the country, not chop wood" The sui
len look deepened.
IF yo're that particular. you git that
grub out o. sight, an git! earn my
money workin', an you can yourn."
He scowled at her: and no one saw
the CLEAN in his wicked eye as he
caught the fash from Esther's soil
taire.
II was the only ornament of value
she wore in this rude place. She had
bought IL for protection, and It had
served its purpose well. Most people
sunnosed n an enRagement ring a