The Irish standard., 1908-02-29

uOTSeS Safely kuAOA6A AIo ICuS3SA. Ao
waters of the June rise had receded
and the outlaws presumably deserted
holding was once more a peninsula.
The wooded section in the near dis
tance lay green, cool and innocent
looking in the late summer sun. The
sands between stretched out hot in the
white glare. From the gulch covert,
the wiry marshal rode first. His face
bore its wonted expression of good.
humored alertness, but there was an
inscrutable CLINT in his eyes that
might have found place there because
of sure realization of the hazard of
the situation and Of his accepting it.
Langford followed him quickly, and
Munson and Baker were not far be.
hind. They trotted breezily across the
open in q bunch. without words.
Where the indistinct trail to the house
slipped into the wooded enclosure they
paused. Was the desperate at last
really rounded up so that he must eth.
er submit quickly or turn at bay? 1t
was so still. Spots of sunlight had
filtered through the foliage and fecked
the pathway. Insects fitted about.
Bundle bees droned. Butterflies how
cred over the snow-on.the- e-mountain. A
turtle dove mourned. A snake glided
sinuously through the grass. Peering
down the warm, shaded interior, one
might almost imagine one was in the
heart of an ancient wood. The drowsy
suggestions of solitude crept in upon
the sensibilities of all the men and
filled them with vague doubts. II
this was the haunt of man, care
less, sordid man, would this place
which knew him breathe forth so
sweet, STILL and undisturbed peace?
Langford first shook himself free Of
the haunting fear of deserted hearth.
stone.
I'D stake my all on my belief that
he's there" he said, in low voice.
Nov listen, boys. johnson and will
ride to the house and make the arrest,
providing he doesn't give us the slip.
Baker, you and Jim will remain here in
ambush in case he does. He's bound
to come this way to reach the main
land. Ready, Johnson"
Jim interposed., His face was flinty
with purpose.
mot eff the court knows herself, and
think she do. Me and Johnson will
do that there little arrestin' job and
the boss he'll stay here in the ambush.
Eff anybody's countn' on my totin'
the boss's openworl body back to
Mary Williston. it's high time he was
losin' the count, for amt goin' to
do it,
He guided his horse straight into
the path. r.-
But, Jim," expostulated Langford,
laying a OBTAINING hand on the cow
boys shoulder. "as for danger, there's
every bit as much--and more-here.
Do you think Jesse Black will tamely
sit down and wait for us to come up
and nab him? think he'll rum"
Then why are you a shirkin'. ef
this is the worst spot O. all? You amt
no coward, boss, leastways you never
was. Why don't YOU stay by it? That's
what I'd like to know"
Johnson grinned appreciatively.
well, there's always the supposi.
ton that he may not see us until we
ride into his clearing" admitted Lang.
ford. "Of course then-it's too late"
Jim blocked the way.
I'm an ornery, no-'count cowboy
with no one in this hull world to know
or care what becomes O. me. There
{~s& <O h,,% nd
can't say I'm hurtin' myself any a
carin'! You Just wait till screech.
will you?"
"Jim," said Langford. huskily, "you
go back and behave yourself. I'm the
boss-not you. You've got to obey or
ders. You've sassed me long enough
You get back, now!"
"Tell Mary, eff come back dead
err" said Jim, that women are s'per
fluous critters but forgive her. She
can't help bein' a woman"
He gave his horse dig with his
knee and the animal bounded briskly
forward.
Jim! You fool boy! Come back!
cried Langford. plunging after him.
Johnson shrugged his shoulders and
wheeled his horse into clever conceal
ment on one side Of the path.
Let the fool kids co." he advised
dryly. I'm a lookin' for Jess to run
anyway"
The two men rode boldly up toward
the house. 1t seemed deserted. Weed!
we're growing around the door-stoop
and crowding thickly up to the from
windows. A spiders silver web gleam
ed from casing to panel Of the warped
apd weather-stained door. The win
dows were blurred with the trickling
of rain through seasons of dust. Ev
erything appeared unkempt, forlorn
desolate.
There was sound from the rear
It carried stealthy Significance. 4
man leaped from the protection of tn
cabin and was seen running towar'
the barn. He was heavily armed
stop that, Black!" yelled Langford