The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1908-04-10

mentalism-the 5old, impetuous,
young, ranchman-he smiled at him.
| self whimsically. Then he pulled him.
| self together. He did not think the
jury could believe the story Jesse
Black would trump up, no matter how
| plausible it was made to sound He
! felt more like himself-in better con.
dition to meet those few but stanch
friends of his from whom he had so
summarily run away-stronger to
meet-Louise. Man-like, now that he
was himself again, he must know the
time. He struck a match.
why, Lena, old girl, we've been
taking our time, haven't we? They
are likely through supper, but maybe
I can wheedle a doughnut out of the
cook"
The match burned out. Not until
he had tossed it away did it come to
him that they were no longer on the
main trial.
Nov, that's funny, old girl" he
scolded. What made you be so un-
reasonable? Well, we started with
our noses westward, so you must
have wandered into the old Lazy S
branch trail. Though, to be sure, it
has been such a deuce of while since
we Travelled it that I wonder at you.
What's the matter now, silly?"
His mare had SHE'D. He turned her
nose resolutely, domineeringly, back
toward the spot objected to-.
Il can't see what you're scared at,
but we'll just investigate and show
you how foolish thing is feminine
squeamishness.
A shadowy form arose out of the
darkness. 1t approached.
''Is that you, Dick?'
Gordon was not a superstitious man,
yet he felt suddenly cold to the crown
of his head. It was not so dark as it
might have been. There would have
been a moon had it not been cloudy.
Dimly, he realized that the man had
arisen from the ruins of what must
have been the old Williston home
stead. The outlines of the stone stoop
were vaguely visible in the half-light
The solitary figure had been crouched
there, brooding.
I'm flesh and blood, Dick, never
fear" said the man in a mournful
voice. I'm hungry enough to vouch
for that. You needn't be afraid. I'm
anything but spirit
"Williston" The astonished word
burst from Gordon's lips. "Williston!
Is it really you?"
"None other, my dear Gordon! Sor-
ry I startled you. I saw your light
and heard your voice speaking to your
horse, and as you were the very man
l was on the point of seeking, I just
naturally came forward, forgetting
that my friends would very likely
look upon me in the light of ghost"
"Williston! My dear fellow" re-
peated Gordon again. 1T is too good
to be true" he cried, leaping from his
mare and extending both hands cordi-
ally. "Shake, old man! My, the feel
of you is-bully. You are flesh and
blood all right. I don't know, though.
Seems to me you have been kind O.
running to skin and bones since 1 last
saw you. Grips good, but bony
You're thinner than ever, aren't your"
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.
II think you know, Gordon said
the older man, quietly. ut is long
story. 1 was coming to you. I will
tell you everything. Shall I begin
now?"
''Are you in any danger of pursuit ?"
asked Gordon, suddenly bethinking
himself
II think not. I killed my jailer, the
half-breed, Nightbird."
''You did well. So did Mary"
what do you mean?" 9
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 a long time. When he
raised his head, his face, though show
ing indistinctly, was hard and drawn.
He spoke with little emotion as a man
who had sounded the gamut 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 a 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, ..well hang them
you and we'll hang them every one
the devils who look like men, but
who strike at women. Well hang
them,%I say you and I. I've got the