The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-07-09

vitiO0Ss iCotChiub dttltuuC, LIE UOuy
dropped as from intense fatigue.
He did not hear the women; and his
savage. low-spoken command showed
him dangerously sure of himself.
Give me ten dollars u of that
till. DO 1t quick, and keep still. And
don't try shooting next time when q
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 d~ishevelled 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 R's pistol barrel almost
at his head. His own weapon. uncon-
sciously lowered, left him helpless,
though he made a slight motion as II
to lift II.
Drop 1t, I say. Let go!" Her re-
volver touched his temple. and her
black eyes blazed a 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 ne 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 yer
see We got the first shot"
Yes. But I reckoned he was only a
drunk, an wasn't lookin' fur him to
fight. ! only shot to skeer; but he
jumped me like CREASED lightnin'."
HE looks boiler; low grub Amt
BIN plenty. Had anything to eat late
ly?" she asked her prisoner.
He shook his head sulkily.
II thought SO. Watch him. Shack"
she ordered. and after the tying was
done to her satisfaction, the two WON.
en- went out.
They returned shortly. Sally B. with
q generous breakfast; Esther. who re-
fused to let her come alone, carrying
the coffee. They arranged the food on
q chair, and Sally B. took up her re-.
volver again.
2 ssrY-Af~ IL Ln-lc CAa.fp
You're the beatin'est Shack be.
gan, obeying her order reluctantly,
ito go an feed q man that's tried to
rob ye."
mo matter. He's hungry.
wouldn't turn a hungry dog off without
o bone. Get to work, now" she said
grufiy to 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 I wanted to be white an
take only enough to get out Of the
country with" Esther thought his
face softened a trife.
why don't We work for 1t? The
Boss wants choppers; an everybody's
fiyin' west like ole Nick was after
EN-"
That's my business. ! want to leave
the country, not chop wood" The sui
len look deepened.
IL yo're that particular, you git that
grub out o. sight, an git! I earn my
money workin', an you IA yourn."
He scowled at her; and no one saw
the CLEAN in his wicked eye as he
caught the flash from Esther's soil
taire.
1t was the only ornament Of value
she wore In this rude place. She had
bought 1t for protection. and It had
served its purpose well. Most people
supposed 1t an engagement ring. q
supposition she tacitly encouraged.
The man ate hungrily. and finished
with a surly Thank you"
which way are you going?"
"West."
well take yo' weepon. an watch "
. piece out on the track. Shack. you
keep an eye an a gun IN him till he
gifts to the turn. We needn't come
back fur another meal O. victuals," she
continued to the fellow. III ye do
yen find more'n n gun p'inted yore
way. Skedaddle!"
Hes ben layin' round the town fun
weeks, that cus has: but / missed him
Yesterday" Shack said as the man
started on slowly. Thought he'd III
out"
Esther watched him with mingled
aversion and pity; but Sally b. was al
ready In conference with one Of the
railroad ONCE boys that "lettered
we'll" getting out a "warningi" to BE-
posted on one of the towns bulletin
spaces. Whatever the reprobate might
next undertake could not be done
there. The town kept open eyes BY
night as well as by day.
Continued next week.
A Rich Diet.
M -LtL ""A