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


I ! forward, and the little party charged
the astounded raiders with a fury Of
shots that made each rustler stand
well to his own support, leaving the
Williston's, for the time being, free
from their attention.
J.. The desperadoes were ON the run.
They cared to take no risk of identi.
fcation. It was not easy to determine /
how many there were. There seemed
! half-dozen or more, but probably
! four or five at the most would tell
their number.
| The flames were sinking Willis
ton had disappeared. The boys scat
| tered In wild pursuit. Wheeling his
horse, Langford was in time to see
big, muscular fellow swing girlish
form to the saddle in front of him.
Quick as flash he spurred forward,
lifted his heavy Colts revolver high
over his head and brought it down on
the fellows skull with a force that
! knocked him senseless without time
for sigh or moan. AS his arms fell
lax and he toppled in his saddle.
Langford caught the girl and swung
her free of ENHANCEMENT.
"Poor little girl" he breatehed over
her as her white face dropped with
! unconscious pathos against his big
shoulder. Poor little girl-Tm sorry
II didn't mean to-honest-I'm sor-.
ry." He chafed her hands gently.
And I don't know where your father
is, either. Are you hurt anywhere, or
have you only tainted? God knows
don't wonder. It was hellish. Why,
child, child, your arm! It is broken!
Oh, little girl, I didn't mean to-hon-
est-honest. I'm sorry
Jim rode up painting, eyes blood
shot.
1--WE can't find him, boss. They've
carried him off, dead or alive"
els it so, Jim? Are you sure? How
far did you follow"
1--WE must have followed the wrong
lead. If any one was ridin' double, it
wasn't the ones we were after, that's
one thing sure. The blamed boss
thieves pulled clean away from us.
Our bosses were plumb winded any,
way And-there's a deader out there,
boss" lowering his voice; II found
him as L came back"
THAT explains why no one was rid
ing DOUBLE said Langford, thought
fully.
"How's the gal, boss?"
II don't know, Jim. I-don't know
what to do now"
His eyes were full of trouble.
"Ain't no use cryin' over split milk
and that's fac. Bout as sensible as
a tryin' to pick it up after it is split
We won't find Williston this here
night, that's one thing sure. So we'll
just tote the little gal home to the
Three Bars with u.s.
The boys were returning, silent
gloomy, disconsolate. They eyed the
boss tentatively. Would they receive
praise or censure? They had worked
hard.
you're all right, boys" said Lang
ford, smiling away their gloom. "Bu1
about the girl. There is no woman al
the Three Bars, you know"
$50 you'd leave her out all night tt
the dew and the coyotes and the boss
thieves would you," interrupted Jim
with fine sarcasm, "jest because
there amt no growed-up woman at the
Three Bars? What dye think Willis
toms little gaPd care for style? Sht
amt afraid O. us OF grizzled fellers
I hope to the Lord there won't neve,
be no growed-up woman at the Three
Bars-yep, that's what I hope.
think that mouse-haired gal reporte
d be just turrible fussy, and I thinl
she's goin' to marry a down eastern
er chap, anyway"
"Just pick up that fellow, will you
boys, and strap him to his horse, AM
we'll take him along" said Langford
II don't believe he's dead"
what fellow" asked the Scribe
peering casually about
I4angford had unconsciously ridde1
:, forward a bit to meet the boys as the,
had clattered up shamefacedly. Nov
> he turned
why, that fellow over there.
l knocked him out"
He rode back slowly. There was n
man there, no the trace of a man
They stared at each other a moment
silently. Then Langford spoke.
:, mo, am not going to leave Willis
,, toms little girl out in the dew" b
, said, with an inscrutable smile
:, while some Of you ride in to &c
some one to see about that body on
there and bring out the doctor, II
take her over to Whites for tonight
y anyway. Mrs. White will care for hel
> Then perhaps we will send for the ga
reporter Jim
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