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

to the brim Of reckless hardihood,
prime for any adventure that would
serve to break the monotony of their
lives. More than that, every fiber Of
their being, when touched, would re.
spond, a tuneful, sounding string Of
loyalty to the traditions of the Three
Bars and to its young master. Each
was fully armed. They asked no ques.
ton. Yet there could be no doubt of
a surprise when the time came for
action. They were always prepared,
these boys Of the most popular ranch
outfit west Of the river. Right in the
face Of this popularity, perhaps be-
cause of it, they were a bit overbear-
ing, these boys, and held fellowship
with any outside the Three Bars a
thing not to be lightly entered into
It was fine thing to work for the
boss, and out of the content accruing
therefrom sprang conservatism like
that of the proudest aristocrat of the
land.
Langford took the trail first. Jim
had said but the one word, willis
ton" 1t was enough. Nothing was
to be heard but the rapid though reg.
ular pound of hoof-beats on the level
trail. It is a silent country, the COW
country, and its gravity begets gray.
ity. j;
Langford, riding slightly in advance,
was having bad time with himself.
The keenest self-reproach was stab.
bling him like a physical pain. His
honor-his good honor, that he held so
high and stainless-was his word not
given by it that the Willistons might
count on his sure protection? What
had he done to merit this proud boast?
Knowing that Jesse Black was once
more at liberty, fully realizing of what
vast import to the state would be Will
liston's testimony when the rustlers
should be brought to trial, he had sat
stupidity back and done nothing. And
he had promised. Would Williston
have had the courage without that
promise? Why we're not some of his
cowboys even now sleeping with an
eye upon that little claim shack where
lived that scholar.man who was not
fit for the rough life of the plains,
maybe, but who had been brave
enough and high.minded enough to lay
his all on the white altar of. telling
what he knew for rights sake. And
the girl
God! The girl!" he cried aloud.
what did you say, boss?" asked
Jim, pounding alongside.
'Nothing!" said Langford, CURLY.
He spurred his mare savagely. In
the shock of surprise, and the sting
that his neglected word brought him,
he had forgotten the girl-Williston'
'little girl" with the grave eyes-the
girl who was not 10 but 20 and more
the girl who had waited for him,
whom he had sent on her long way
alone, joyously, as one free of duty
that promised to be irksome-the girl
who had brought the blood to his face
when, ashamed, he had galloped off
to the spring-the girl who had closed
her door when mans curious eyes
had roved that way. How could he
forget?
The little cavalcade swept on with
increased speed, following the lead
Of the master. Soon the sound of
shooting was borne to them distinctly
through the quiet night.
Thank God, boys!" cried Langford,
digging in his spurs once more. "They
are not surprised! Listen! God!
What plucky fight! If they can only
hold QUIT"
At that moment q tiny tongue Of
flame leaped up away to the front
of them, cleaning in the darkness like
a beacon light. Now there we're two
they grew, spread, leaped heaven
ward in mad revel. Langford's heart
sank like lead. He groaned in an ex-
ceeding bitterness of spirit. The
worst had happened. Would they be
in time? These claim shanties burn
like paper. And the girl! He doubted
not that she had sustained her share
of the good fight. She had fought
like man, she must die like man
would be the outlaws reasoning. He
believed she would die like man
If that meant bravely-but something
clutched at his heart-strings with the
thought. Her big, solemn eyes came
back to him now as they had looked
when she had lifted them to him
gravely as he sat his horse and she
had said she had waited for him. Was
she waiting now?
The boys rallied to the new i'm.
petus gloriously. They knew now
what it meant and their hardy hearts
thrilled to the excitement of it, and
the danger. They swept from the main
trail into the DINNER one leading to
Williston's, without diminution Of
speed. Presently, the boss drew rein
with a suddenness that would have
played havoc with the equilibrium Of
less seasoned horsemen than cowboys.
They followed with the precision and
accord of trained cavalrymen. Now
and then could be seen black, sinis-