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


that she was the wife OF a SLAYER
What is itr' he asked simply.
"Why, you paid or mortgage OF
an even three thousan' dollars las
week. didn't your
Z Eyes. What has that to do with
itf' he asked.
Buck broke in at this point. Here
was the strongest cerd that he had IN
his hand. and the sheriff had PLAYED
IL TO McKee's advantage.
"Plentyp Buck shouted. "Old Ter.
rill wuz shot an killed an robbed
an the man who did II got Just three
thousan' dollars"
An you mean to say that the boss
here began Sagebrush, In his anger
making rush at Mckee. He was
held back, but tho disturbance attract
ed Echo and Mrs. Allen from the
kitchen. Echo hurried to her hus.
bands side. He slipped his arm about
her waist, and together they faced his
accuser
"Au you got to say Is whar did you
get that money! cried Buck, who had
seen Dick Lane pay Il TO Payson and
conjectured that Payson did not dare
to reveal the fact OF this payment
with all the disclosure IL implied.
why, II was paid to me by Their
Jack stopped. He could not tell who
gave him the money without revealing
to Echo the return Of Dick. The whole
miserable lie would then come ont
Echo noticed Jacks hesitancy.
What is It? What's the matterY,
she asked In frightened tones.
Nothing, nothing" he answered
lightly to lessen her terror.
Hats or. everybodyw commanded
Slim In. difference to the presence of
Echo.
who are these menp What's
wrongr pleaded Echo.
Buck bowed to the trembling wo-
man, who had thrown her arms about
her husbands neck.
Nothin'." he exclaimed. "only we
want to know whar yer husband got
the money to pay or the mortgage on
this ranch"
The request seemed a very simple
one to Echo. All the talk OF harmine
Jack. the high words, the threats.
could be silenced easily by her hero.
Smiling into his eyes, Echo said. "Tell
them, Jack" ----
81 can't" he faltered.
aft .pas r~ss - hirr h- sriend +"
whom he lent 1t some time ago."
Buck interrupted her explanation.
"Then let him tell his friends name
an whar we can find him" Turning
to Jack, he bullied: "Come onl What's
his Manner
Jack closed his eyes to shut out the
sight of his wife. In his agony he
clinched his fists until his nails sank
into the flesh. 81 can't tell you thatF
he cried in his misery.
"Of course he can't" sneered Buck,
smiling evilly In his triumph.
'He can't account fer himself on the
night Nv the weddin'; he rides pacin'
horse-rode on that night; he gets
three thousan' dollars paid him, an
he can't tell who paid It. What's the
yerdictT Buck did not wait for an
answer. Raising his voice. he shouted,
Guilty.
"Jack. Jackl What have you to
sayT begged Echo.
Nothing" was his only answer.
Tell him he liesP' cried Sagebrush.
Jack, We all know you. You're as
white man as ever lived, an they
amt one OF this outfit that amt ready
to die fer you right now"
"You beti" chorused his men.
Gle hain't goin' to get OF like that"
declared Buck. Looking confidently at
his own followers, he said, ''The Lazy
Il can take care nv him" ~
Bucks men moved closer to him.
preparing to draw their guns II need
be and open FIRE on Jacks defenders.
Look out, bossr' warned Sagebrush
at the hostile movement Of Buck and
his punchers.
Hold on" drawled the sheriff, who
as the danger grew more real became
more deliberate In his movements
"They amt goin' to be nothin' done
here unless it's done In the law. You
all know me, boys. I'm the sheriff.
! This mans my prisoner" Pointing to
! Jack, he added, There amt nobody
| goin' 70 take him from mean live"
Buck saw Jack slipping from his
clutches. yer not goin' to be blurred
by one man, are you. boysT
NO" his punchers answered in uni
son, crowding toward Jack, who held
up his hand and cried: "stopl I want
fair deal, and I'll get It."
"I'l settle this thing all right. All I
ask is a few words alone with my
wife"
Jack clasped Echo 70 his breast as
ne begged this boon from the men
who sought his life.
Nor clustered Buck.
yes" ordered Slim quietly, but EN-.
phatically. "Mr. Payson, you'll give
me your word you won't try TO es
capeT
Yes" agreed Jack.
"His word don't go with u.s." shout
ed Buck.
Slim laid his hand on the butt OF
his revolver, ready 20 draw II neces
ssry TO enforce his command Buci
saw the movement and shouted e
him: Keep yer hand away from tha
gun sheriff. You know I am quick OF
the draw" He significantly fingered
his holster as he spoke.
$50 I've heard tell" agreed Slim
hastily Withdrawing his hand from hi
revolver.
Slim appeared 70 agree to the sur
render Of Jack 20 Buck and his punch
ers, permitting them to deal with hir
as they saw ut. He fumbled in hi
left hand waistcoat pocket. pulling on
a bag Of tobacco and n package Of ric
paper. Ostentatiously he began to rol
a cigarette. Then, with the quickDos
Of a cat, his left hand was plunged 4
the inside right hand pocket Of hi
waistcoat. Grasping a revolver by tn
muzzle, he deftly jerked Il upwar
aud seized the handle In It's 6ight II