Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-05-07
|LANGFORD
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| BARSQ |
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KATE AND VlRGll. D. BOYLES
Copyright by A. &. NcClurg q Co., !%1)

GOOD for you, jim CrieG approving
~, assisting Langford's spent horse
UP the bank. Coming UP to the party
where Langford still stretched out full
length, SADIE rubbed her nose inqur-
fngly over the big shoulders lying so
low, and whinnied softly.
Hello there" cried Paul. spring
ing excitedly to his feet. "Where'd you
come from? Thought you had crossed
the bar Now III just borrow gun
from one Of you follows and we'll be
getting along. Better my rife than my
horse at this stage CT the game, any
way"
Tho little party pushed on. The
longer half of their Journey was still
before them. On the whole. perhaps,
It was better the crowd had split.
There was more unity Of purpose
among those who we're left. The sun
was getting hot. and Langford's
clothes dried rapidly
Arrived at the entrance Of the cross
raWne which Williston had once
sought out. the four men rode their
horses safely through its length. The
waters OF tne June rise bad receded
and the outlaws presumably deserted
holding was once more peninsula.
The wooded section in the near dis
lance lay green, cool and innocent
looking in the late summer sun. The
sands between stretched out hot in the
white glare From the gulch covert,
the wiry marshal rode first. His face
bore its wonted expression Of good
humored alertness, but there was an
inscrutable CLINT in his eyes that
might have found place there because
of a sure realization OF the hazard Of
the situation and of his accepting It.
I.angford followed him quickly, and
Munson and Baker were not far be.
hind. They trotted breezily across the
open in a bunch, without words.
Where the indistinct trail TO the house
clipped into the wooded enclosure they
paused Was the Desperate at last
really rounded up so that he must eth.
er submit quickly or turn at kny? 1t
WEE SO still. Spots Of sunlight had
filtered through the foliage and fecked
the pathway. Insects fitted about.
Bundle bees droned. Butterflies how.
cred over the snow-on-the-mo fountain. A
turtle dove mourned. A snake glided
sinuously through the grass. Peering
down the warm, shaded interior, one
might almost imagine one was in the
heart of an ancient wood. The drowsy
suggestions Of solitude crept in upon
the sensibilities of all the men and
filled them with vague doubts. II
this was the haunt Of man, a care
less. sordid man. would this place
which knew him breathe forth SO
sweet. still, and undisturbed a peace
Langford first shook himself free Of
the haunting fear OF deserted hearth
stone.
I'd stake my all on my belief that
he's there" he said, in low voice.
Now listen. boys. Johnson and | will
ride to the house and make the arrest,
providing he doesn't give us the slip.
ambush in case he does. He's bound
to come this way to reach the main.
land. Ready. Johnson
Jim interposed. His face was finty
with purpose.
Not ef the court knows herself, and
] think she do. Me and Johnson will
do that there little arrestin' job and
the boss he'll stay here in the ambush
Eff anybody's a countin' on my totin
the boss's openwork body back &c
Mary Williston, it's high time he was
iosin the count, for l amt goin' to
do it."
He guided his horse straight into
the path.
But, Jim expostulated Langford
laying a OBTAINING hand on the cow
boys shoulder. "as for danger, there's
every bit as much--and more-here
Do you think Jesse Black will tamely
sit down and wait for us to come W
and nab him? think he'll run"
Then why are you shirkin', e.
this is the worst spot o all? You ain
no coward, boss, leastways you never
was. Why don't you stay by it? That!
what I'd like to know"
johnson grinned approximately.
well, there's always the supposi
ton that he may not see us until w
ride into his clearing" admitted Lang
ford. "Of course, then-tts too late.
Jim blocked the way.
I'm an ornery, no-'count cowbo!
with no one in this hull world to know
or care what becomes O me. Their
amt no one to care but me, and
can't say I'm hurtin myself any
carin'! You just wait till | screech
will you?"
Jim" said Langford, huskily, ''yo,
go back and behave yourself. I'm tn
boss--not you. You've got to obey OF
ders. You've sassed me long enough
You get back. now"
"Tell Mary, ef | come back dead
or" said Jim. that women are spel
fiuous critters, but forgive her. Sh
can't help bein' woman"
He gave his horse a dig with hi
knee and the animal bounded briskl
forward.
Jim! You fool boy Come back!
cried Langford. plunging after him.
Johnson shrugged his shoulders an
wheeled his horse into clever concea
ment on one side OF the path.
Let the fool kids ga ne advised
dryly. Pm lookin' for Jess to ruI
anyway"
The two men rode boldly up towar
the house. 1t seemed deserted. Weed
we're growing around the door-stooI
and crOWding thtcl<ly I'm IN tha from