The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-01-01
LANGFORD
Of til e
. THREE q
BARS@
By
KATE AND VIRGIL D. BOYLES
(Coryrigbt by 4. Q. Neolurg s o.. lssi. }


blood all right. | don't know, though.
Seems to me you have been kind O.
running to skin and bones since last
saw you. Grips good, but bony.
You're thinner than ever, aren't you?"
All this time he was shaking Willis
toms hands heartily He never thought
of asking him where he had been. For
weary months he had longed for this
man to come back. He had come
back. That was enough for the pres
ent. He had always felt genuinely
friendly toward the unfortunate
scholar and his daughter.
That's natural, isn't it? Besides,
they forgot my rations sometimes"
Who, Williston?" asked Gordon,
the real significance of the mans re-
turn taking quick hold of him.
Il think you know, Gordon said
the older man, quietly. 1T is a long
story. was coming to you. l will
tell you everything. Shall l begin
now"
Are you in any danger of pursuit?"
asked Gordon, suddenly bethinking
himself.
q think not / killed my jailer the
half-breed, Nightbird.''
You did we'll. So did Mary"
What do you mean?"
Didn't you know that Mary shot
and killed one of the desperadoes that
night? At least, we have every rea-
son to think it was Mary. BY the way,
you have not asked after her.
The mans head dropped He did
not answer for long time. When he
raised his head. his face, though show
ing indistinctly, was hard and drawn
He spoke with little emotion as man
who had sounded the ganut of des-
pair and was now far spent.
What was the use? | saw her fall,
Gordon. She stood with me to the
end. She was brave little girl. She
never once faltered Dick" he said,
his voice changing suddenly, and lay
ing hot, feverish hands on the young
mans shoulders, we'll hang them
you and we'll hang them every one
the devils who look like men, but
who strike at women. Well hang
them, say-you and l. I've got the
evidence
is 1t possible they didn't tell you?'
| cried Gordon aghast at the amazing
cruelty of it.
Tell me anything? Not they. She
was such a good girl. Dick. There
never was a better. She never com.
planned. She never got her screens,
poor girl, ! wish she could have had
! her screens before they murdered her
Where did you lay her, Dick"
Mr. Williston," said Dick, taking
| firm hold of the mans burning hands
and speaking with soothing calmness,
forgive me for not telling you at
| once | thought you knew. | never
| dreamed that you might have been
thinking all the while that Mary was
dead. She is alive and we'll and with
friends She only tainted that night.
Come, brace up! Why, man alive,
aren't you glad? Well, then, don't go
to pieces like child Come, brace up,
| tell you!"
-you-wouldn't lie to me,
| would you, Dick?"
AS God is my witness, Mary is
alive and in Kemah this minute--un-
less and earthquake has swallowed
the hotel during my absence. | saw
her less than two hours ago"
Give me minute, my dear fellow,
will you? il"
He walked blindly away few steps
and sat down once more on the ruins
of his homestead. Gordon waited.
| The man sat still-his head buried in
his hands. Gordon approached. lead
ling his mare, and sat down beside
| him.
| Now tell me-" he said, with simple
| directness.
An hour later the two men sepa-
rated at the door of the Whites claim
shanty.
Lie low here until ] send for you"
was Gordon's parting word.