Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-07

at Is Tough Strain, Isn't TT"
We're feeling pretty good about H.
Langford made his way into the bar
where Gordon was standing apart He
passed an arm anectionately over his
friends shoulder
You were inspired. Dick" he said
Keep on the same as you have begun
and we shall have everything our own
way"
But tho fire had died down in the
young lawyers bearing.
I'm tired. Paul. dead tired" he
said. YEARLY. II wish IT were over"
Come to supper-then you'll feel
better. You're tired out. Il is a
tough strain. isn't it," he said cheer.
ily. He was not afraid He knew the
fire would burn the brighter again
when there was need OF tin the
morning.
They passed out OF the bar together.
At the hotel Mary and Louise were
already seated az the table in the
dining-room where the little party us.
ually sat together when e was pos.
sible TO do SO. Judge Dale had not
yet arrived The landlady was i'm
worried dispute with Red Sanderson
aud a companion. The men were
evidently cronies. They had their
eyes on two OF the three vacant places
at the table
"But J tell you these places are
taken" persisted the landlady. who
served as head-waitress. when such
services were necessary. which was
not often. Her patrons usually took
and held possession of things at their
own sweet viii.
You bet they are" chimed I'm Red.
deliberately pulling out chair next
20 Louise. who shiverod in recogui.
ton.
"Please-' she began. in n small
voice bat got no farther. Something
in his bold. admiring stare choked her
into silence.
You're mighty pretty girl. II YOU
are trotun' round with the Three
Bars" he grinned. Plenty time to
change your live"
Just move. will YOU" said Gordon.
CURLY. coming up at that moment
with Langford and showing him aside
with unceremouious brevity This is
my place" he sat down quietly.
You damned upstart." clustered
Sandersou. Want a little pistol play.
do you?"
Gentlemen, gentlemen" implored
the landlady.
I'm not entering any objection"
said Gordon. coolly. Just shoot
why don't you2 You have the drop on
me"
For moment IL looked as II San.
derson would take him at his word
and meet this taunt with instant death
for the sender OF 10. so black was his
anger. But encountering Landlords
level gaze. he read something therein
shrugged his shoulders, replaced his
pistol and sauntered on with his com
panion just as Judge Dale came upon
the scene. L.angford glanced quickly
across the table at Mary. Her ewes
were wide with startled horror. She.
too. bad seen. Just above Red Sander
sons temple and extending from the
forehead up into the hair was an ugly
scar-not like that left by a cut hut
as il the flesh might have been deep
ly bruised by some blunt weapon.
Mary How pale you are!" cried
Louise. in alarm.
I'm haunted by that man." she
continued. biting her lip to keep from
crying out against the terrors OF this
country. Hes always showing up In
unexpected places l shall die IL
ever meet him alone"
You need not be afraid" said Cor
! don. speaking quietly from his place
at her side Louise flashed him a
swift, bewildering smile Of gratitude
Under this cover the young ranch
man comforted Mary, whom the
! others had temporarily forgotten. with
a long. carressing look from his hand
some eyes that was a pledge Of tire
less vigilance and an unforgetting
wStchfulness OF future protection.