Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-05-25
[cUNTINUED.]


been shortened. Slim had gathered n
posse and taken up the tail Of the
slayers. Jim Allen had Joined them.
The hazing Of Jack and the hasty de-
narture of the bridal pair on horse
back in shower Of corn, shelled and
on the cob. prevented the two men
from meeting.
The older man had volunteered no
explanation. Jack knew that In his
heart Allen did not approve Of his ac-
tions. but was keeping silent because
of his daughter.
Jack could restrain himself no long
er. "Jim. what happened that nightT'
he asked brokenly.
Allen showed his embarrassment.
Meanin'"- Then he hesitated.
"Dick." was all Jack could say.
~ seed him. If hadn't he busted
up the weddin' some," was his laconic
answer.
"Where Is he?"
Allen rellghted his pipe. When he
got the smoke drawing freely he
gazed ut Jack thoughtfully and an
swered, "He's gone. back where the
come from-into the desert" Jim
puffed slowly and then added. "Looks
like you didn't give Dick a square
deal"
Allen liked his son-in-law and was
going to stand by him. hut In Arizona
the saying "All's fair in love and
war" is not accepted at its face value.
81 didn't" acknowledged Jack. 81
was desperate at the thought Of losing
her. She loved me and had forgotten
him. She's happy with me now"
~ reckon that's right" was Jim's
consoling reply.
To clinch his argument and soothe
his troublesome conscience Jack con.
tinued, "She never would have been
happy with him."
That's what told him." declared
Allen. HE knew it. an that's why
he went away. an Echo. no matter
what comes. she must never know.
She'd never forgive you-an'. fer that
matter, me neither"
Jack looked long out Of the window
toward the distant mountains. the
barrier behind which Dick was wan
dcring IN the great desert. cut off
from the woman he loved by false
friend
Glow I have suffered for that lie"
uttered Jack In tones full Of anguish.
That's. what hurts me most - the
thought that lied to her. might
have killed him that night" pondered
Jack. He Shuddered at the thought
that he had been IN the point Of add
Ing murder to the lie. He had faced
the same temptation which Dick had
yet to overcome.
"AIebbe you did There's more'n one
way Of KILN man," suggested Allen.
Jack swung around and facec him.
The observation had struck home. He
realized how poignantly Dick t,ust
have endured the loss Of Echo and the
thought of his betrayal by Jack. As
he had suffered mentally SO Dick must
be suffering in the desert In self JUS
tifcation lie returned to his old argu-
ment.
81 waited until l was sure he was
dead. Six months 1 waited after We
heard the news. After | had told Echo
loved her and found that 1 was loved
In raturn-then came this letter God,
what q fight had with myself when
found that he still lived-was think.
ing of returning home to claim her for
his own! | rode out into the hills and
fought It out all alone, like an Indian.
Then resolved to hurry the wedding
to lie to her-and | have been living
that lie every minute, every hour"
Jack leaned heavily on the table.
His head sank. His voice dropped al
most to a whisper.
Allen slapped him on the back to
cheer him up. Philosophically he an
nounced: "Well, it's got to be as 1t Is.
You'll mebbe never hear from him
again. You mustn't never tell her. l
amt a-goin' to say nothin' about 1t.
Her happiness means everything to
me-"
Jack grasped bis hand in silent
thankfulness.
The two men walked slowly out OF
the room to the corral.