Warren sheaf., 1908-06-18

PEELED obedience. @
He returned her look for an instant,
lowered his eyes sullenly, glanced
covertly about, and, STOPPING, laid the
pistol on the floor. =
Now, git inter that cheer!"
Again he looked at her resentfully;
but only for breath, when he bent
stif1y, and dropped heavily down.
Tie him, Shack, to the cheer; an
his hands behind him, an his feet to.
gether. How'd he git the drop on ye?
see We got the first shot"
"Yes. But i reckoned he was only a
drunk, an wasn't lookin' fur him to
fight. I only shot to skeer; but he
jumped me like CREASED lightnin'."
"He looks holler; I low grub amt
ben plenty. Had anything to eat late
ly?" she asked her prisoner.
He shook his head sulkily.
81 thought so. Watch him, Shack"
she ordered, and after the tying was
done to her satisfaction, the two WON.
en- went out.
They returned shortly, Sally B. with
q generous breakfast; Esther, who re-
fused to let her come alone, carrying
the coffee. They arranged the food on
chair, and Sally B. took up her re-
volver again.
Unite his hands, Shack"
you're the beatin' est" Shack be-
gan, Obeying her order reluctantly,
ito 60 an feed q man that's tried to
rob ye"
mo matter. He's hungry.
wouldn't turn hungry dog of without
bone. Get to work, now," she said
gruffly to the bandit. "An' while yo're
busy, tell what you wanted of ten dol
lars. Why didn't ye ask fur the hull
till?"
Because I wanted to be white an
take only enough to get out of the
country with" Esther thought his
face softened trif1e.
why don't ye work for it? The
Boss wants choppers; an everybody's
fyin' west like ole Nick was after
EN-"
That's my business. I want to leave
the country, not chop wood" The sui
len look deepened.
IF yo're that particular, you git that
grub out O. sight, an git! earn my
money workin', an you can yourn."
He scowled at her; and no one saw
the CLEAN in his wicked eye as he
caught the fash from Esthers soli-
taire.
IT. was the only ornament of value
she wore in this rude place. She had
bought it for protection, and it had
served its purpose well. Most people
supposed it an engagement ring, a
supposition she tacitly encouraged.
The man ate hungrily, and finished
with surly THANK you"
(Which way are you going?"
"West."
well take yo' weepon, an watch ye
piece out on the track. Shack, you
keep an eye an gun on him till he
gifts to the turn, Ye needn't come
back fur another meal O. victuals," she
continued to the fellow. IF ye do,
yell find more'n one gun p'inted yore
way. Skedaddle!"
Hes ben layin' round the town fur
weeks, that cuss has; but missed him
Yesterday" Shack said as the man
started off slowly. Thought he'd lit
out"
Esther watched him with mingled
aversion and pity; but Sally B. was al
ready in conference with one of the
railroad Office boys that '1ettered
WE'LL" getting out "Warning!" to be
posted on one of the towns bulletin
spaces. Whatever the reprobate might
next undertake could not be done
there. The town kept open eyes by
night as we'll as by day.. -
The iron train was two hours late,
and the desert day so alluring that
Esther decided to ride as usual. I'm
mediately after the noon dinner her
mount was brought to the door; but
her kindly knight was missing. This
was not alarming. His memory often
failed him in the daily routine, when
he saddled his horse and wandered
alone in the hills hunting for "color,"
but always returned safe; and on such
occasions Esther patiently went
without her ride. But today she was
disappointed. She wanted to get away
from the memory OF the morning.
Had any one seen him go?" she
asked. And Shack, hearing her ques-
ton, told her that .Bil1 had saddled
not a quarter hour ago, an lit out west
down the track.
Il can overtake him, then," she said
to Sally B. as she mounted.
II don't like ter see ye start OF
alone" Sally B. said; yet she was too
fearless herself to suspect danger;
and her protest was perfunctory. III
'I'll find Mr.. Bernard shortly; don't
worry about me.
Look out for that there breakfast
guest of our'n II you met up with
him, he might take shine to you, or
yore mare"
''My lungs are good And section
men are too plenty and SWift's heels
-.