West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-25

II said gents" he repeated.
this hand alone. Buck Mckee, you've
been hirtin' with tombstone fer some
time. Hands up. gents" he ordered.
raising the pistols significantly.
II said gents" he repeated whom
Buck Mckee did not obey him with
aiacrity. The baked leader OF the
Lazy X outfit reluctantly held his
hands aloft.
"Sagebrush" called Slim.
"Here!' answered the foreman. COW
ertng man with his revolver.
"Parenthesisr summoned the sher-
ir
"HereP' the man OF the bowlegs re-
piled as he drew his gun.
Me, tooW cried Fresno. while Show
Low came to tho front with AN like
wise here!'
When the Lazy X outfit was thor
oughly under subjection Slim stepped
Forward and said: snow, gentlemen. if
you please. you see, this here's nv
party, an 1 regelate It my way. Jack
here gave his word to stay an face
this thing out. He's a-goin' TO do II.
I'm responsible fer him. sagebrush.
you VIII collect at the door sech arti-
cies OF hardware as these gentlemen
has In their belts. deputize you.
Gents, as you walk out the do Won win
deposit your weapons with Mr.. Sage
brush Charley, .the.s sswa. tNsAss -nt--nn
proper"
1870 Hatu-t svfn' 40 ret nIm- BUCK
did not finish the sentence. for Slim,
thoroughly aroused, shouted: "Buck
Mckee, II you say another word I'm
goin' TO kill you. Gents, there's tho
door. Your hosses are in the corral.
Getg
Preceded by some Of the Sweetwa-
ter boys. the Lazy X outfit fled out,
Sagebrush taking their guns as they
passed him. Fresno and Parenthesis
brought up the rear.
"He needn't think he'll escape. We're
bound to have him." declared Buck.
"Are you goin'T' demanded Slim,
his voice full OF menace.
Cant you see meT sneered Buck.
Sagebrush relieved him OF his gun
as he passed. handing II to Fresno.
Buck paused I'm the doorway long
enough to lament: "Talk about hospi-
Nohbys hSfch Bet ih Dub nhhb uLu
| put out"
Slim watched Mckee from the win
dow until he disappeared through the
| gate OF the corral. Then, walking
down to Jack, he took him by the
hand.
'Ttll be all right In an hour. Thank
| you, boys" Payson assured them.
| 1--WE all know you are the whitest
man on the Sweetwater," assured
Sagebrusb, speaking for the punchers
as they left Jack prisoner with Slim.
Speaking in a low tone, Jim asked
JACK, "Where did you get that mon
eyT
Don't you known he asked in sur
prise.
From
Jack nodded his head.
"I1l wait fer you in the other room" .
said Slim.
NAV, Polly-we all better leave 'em
alone"
As the woman and the girl left the
room the old ranchman paused Mt the
doorway leading to the kitchen 20 ad-
wise his son-in-law earnestly: "I low
you better tell her It's best"
The two young people were left
alone I'm the room In which they had
passed so many happy hours to face
crisis In their lives. The day which
had begun so sunnily was TO end IN
darkest clouds. The awful accusation
was incredible to Echo. Her faith IN
her husband was not shaken. Jack
she felt could explain. But no matter
what tine outcome might be, she would
be loyal to the man she loved. On t1d'
point she felt wholly confident Hat
she not pledged her faith at the mar
riage ALTAR
"JackT' A volume OF questions wa
in the word. Taking her hands in hi
and looking searchlngly into her eyes
he said
Before tell you what's been on M
mind these many weeks want 70 hol
you In my arms and hear you saJ
Jack, ! believe in you"
Echo put her arms about his nee
and, nesting close to bis breast, d'
. clared: II do believe I'm you. no ma
ter what circumstances may be again'
you. No matter II all the world call
you guilty. l believe In you and Low
you"
) Jack seated himself at the table an
drew his wife down beside him. Pu
Z ting his arms about her as she kne
+ before him, he murmured, You're
D wife. a wife Of the west, as fair as II
3 skies and as steadfast as its hills, on
{ I'm not worthy
9 mot worthy--you haven't-it isn't
I gasped Echo. starting back from hin
> thinking that Jack was about to col
D fess that under some strange stress ,
8 circumstances he had slain the expires
9 agent
4 no, II isn't that" hastily answere
| InoE .rllh q .l..lddor a. ll.o a.