Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-03-05

ocsifies and the gaxing INTO ne lone
acne di..s-ees surrouneing their
homssteads ssepsd into their brains
ana stayed there 90 that they knew
not what they did. There we're trees
there and fountains and restful blue
grass In season. and flowers. aowers.
nowers-but these sams too late TOR
most OF the women.
Hn had been Langford. now. VINO
was guilty Of 30 ridiculous . sent'
mentaiism-ths bold. impetuous.
young ranchman-he smiled 1t him
self vhimsically. 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 Il was made to sound. He
felt more like himseif-in better con-
ditioa TO meet those few but stAnch
friends Of his from whom be had 20
summarily run away-stronger 10
mset-Louiss. Man.iiks. now that no
was himself again. he must know the
time. He struck . match.
why. Lena. old girl. we've been
taking our time. haven't We? They
are likely through supper. but maybe
I can whssdis . doughnut out OF the
cook"
The match burned out. Not until
he had tossed II away did Il come 70
him that they were NO longer on the
main trial.
Nov. that's funny. old giri." he
scoided. what made you b 20 I'M
reasonabie! Well. We started with
our noses westward. 20 you must
have wandered into the old Lasy 3
branch trail. Though. to hs ssre. u
has been such Q deuce Of while since
we travelled Il that ! wonder at you.
What's the matter now. siilyT
His mare had SHE'D. He turned her
nose rssolutsiy. domiaeeringly. back
toward the spot objected to.
II can't see what you're scared ut.
but we'll Just investigate and show
! you how foolish . thing 10 feminine
1 sQusamishness."
A shadovy form arose out OF the
darkness. Il approached.
rs that you. Dick?
Gordon was not superstitious man.
| yet he felt suddenly cold to the crown
| OF his head. II was not 20 dark ~ Il
| might have been. There would have
been Q moon had Il net been cloudy.
| Dimiy, 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 haif.light.
The solitary figure had been erouched
there. brooding.
I'm flesh and blood. Dick never
fear" said the man In . mournfui
voice. I'm hungry enough TO vouch
for that. You needn't b afraid. I'm
anything but Q spirit"
"Williston!" The astonished word
burst from Gordon's lips. "Williston!
10 II really you?"
"Nons other. my dear Gordon! eor'
~ startled you. I saw your light
ana heard your voice speaking to your
horse, and a. you were the very man
was on the peint Of seeking. l Just
naturally came forward. forgetting
that my friends would very likely
look upon me In the light Of . ghost"
"wiiilston! Ny dear fsllow!" 70
psated Gordon again. IT II too good
20 b true" no cried. lsaping from his
mare and extending both hands eordi.
ally. shake. old man! Ny. the feel
Of you is--buiiy. You arc assh and
blood an right. don't know. though.
Seems to me you have been kind o
running 20 skin and bones since l last
saw you. Grips good, but bony.
You're thinner than ever. aren't your
An this time 10 Vas shaking Willis
tsa's hands heartily. He never thought
| Of asking him where he had been. For
weary months he had loagsd for this
man 20 cone back. He had come
hack. TAat was enough 1of th~pres-
emit. He had always felt genuinsiy
fsisndiy toward the unfoFtunaN
seAsiar ana ~ daughter.
that's aatural. isnt nj Besides.
sksy forget my Satioas somstimss."
~Who. WillistoAfr asked Gordon.
de real siguiacanee of the mans 70
tusu taking quick hold % him.
4 think 200 know. Gordon" said
TIE elder maa, quietly. 1T b . long
stsry. was esmihg 10 yoa ! WIN
ts,i. you everything. Shall ] begin
neWr'
Are ysu IN any danger Of pursuit.?
ssksd oerdoa. suddsniy hethinkiag
himself.
4 think not. I killed ny jniiers tAe
AaIf.breed, NIghtbird-"
TOD fld gslls 50 did MARY.
what DO yOu meanF
Didn't you know that Mary shot
ana killed one Of the despsradoes that
nlEhti A. least. We have every rea-
soa 10 think Il was Mary. By the way.
you have not asked amer her"
TIE mans head droDped. He 81
not answer Cor . isng tine. whsa be
raised Ms head. his he. though rhoN-
iuE InaIstincily. Wa - - llN1-
! &c spOss Win llllls snpll,n = = -