The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1908-03-06

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. cause of it, they were 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 a. conservatism like
that Of the rrcudest aristocrat of the
land.
LanGford tick 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. 1t is silent country, the COW
country, and it's gravity begets gray
ity.
Langford, riding slightly in advance,
was having bad time with himself
The keenest self-reproach was stab
honor-his good honor, that he held so
high and stainless-was his word not
given by it that the Wi1listons 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
F., 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 were 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 grill" 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 S
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 of
to the spring-the girl who had closed
her door when a mans curious eyes
had roved that way. How could he
I forget?
The little cavalcade swept on with
increased speed, following the leae
of the master Soon the sound O.
shooting was borne to them distinctly
through the quiet night.
THANK God, boys!" cried Langford
digging in his spurs once more. ''The!
are not surprised! Listen! God
What plucky fight! If they can onl!
hold QUIT"
| At that moment a tiny tongue O
fame leaped up away to the from
of them, cleaning in the darkness like
a beacon light. Now there were two
they grew, spread, leaped heaven
ward in mad revel. Langford's hear
sank like lead. He groaned in an ex
ceeding bitterness OF spirit. Thu
worst had happened. Would they b.
in time? These claim shanties bur,
like paper. And the girl! He doubted
not that she had sustained her shar
of the good fight. She had Tough
like man, she must die like a NAL
would be the outlaws reasoning. H
I believed she would die like a man
If that meant bravely-but somethin.
/ clutched at his heart-strings with tn
thought. Her big, solemn eyes cam
back to him now as they had looke'
when she had lifted them to hin
gravely as he sat his horse and sh
had said she had waited for him. Wa
she waiting now?
The boys rallied to the new i'm
petus gloriously. They knew nov
what it meant and their hardy heart
thrilled to the excitement of it, an,
the danger. They swept from the mail
: trail into the DINNER one leading t,
: -Williston's, without diminution O
, speed. Presently, the boss drew rei1
with a suddenness that would hav
played havoc with the equilibrium O
(! less seasoned horsemen than cowboys
} They. followed with the precision an
: accord of trained cavalrymen. NOV
: and then could be seen a black, SIMS
ter figure patrolling the burning home
!. stead, but hugging closely the QUITE
skirt of ~ darkness, waiting for tn
{ doomed door to open. ~-
8 "Boys!" began Langford. But h
) never gave the intended command t
8 charge at once with wild shouting an
$ shooting to frighten away the maraud
81. 5ers and give. warning to the besiege
I that rescue was at hand. For at tina
], moment the door opened and Willis
ton and his daughter stepped out i
full view Of raider and rescuer. Woul
there be parley A man, slouching i
81 his sadd die, rode up into the circle q