The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-23

the railroad men. the common people and the men who everywhere hate cruelty and outrage and the making of lie.
 Lance Cunning had never concealed his friendliness for Sinclair, even aft CT hard stories about him were knowr to be true, and it was this confidence Of fellowship that made Sinclair, 2f hours after he had left Oroville, ride down the hill trail to Crawling Stone ranchhouse
 The morning had been cold with d heavy wind and a dull sky. In the aft ernoon the clouds lowered over the valley and a mistin2 rain set in. Dick sic had gone into Medicine Bend on the stage in the morning, and. after a stolen half-hour with McCloud at Marion's, had ridden home to escape the storm. Not less, but much more, than those about her she was alive to the situation in which Sinclair stood and it's danger to those closest to her. In the morning her one prayer to Me Cloud had been to have a care of him self, and to Marion to have a care of herself; but even when Dicksie left them it seemed as if neither quite felt the peril as she felt it.
 In the afternoon the rain, falling steadily, kept her in the house, and she sat in her room sewing until the light failed. She went downstairs. Fuss had lighted the grate in the living room. and Dickse threw herself into chair The sounds of hoofs aroused her and she went to q win dow. To her horror, she saw Sinclair walking with her cousin up to the front door. She ran into the dining room, and the two men entered the hail and walked into the office. Chok- ing with excitement, Dicksie ran through the kitchen and upstairs to master her agitation.
 In the office Sinclair was sitting down before the hot stove with a tumbler of whisky Lance, he shook his head as he spoke hoarsely- ''l want to say my friends have stood by me to a man. but there's none of them treated me squarer through thick and thin than you have. We'll I've had some bad luck It cant he helped, Regards"
 He drank. and shook his wet hair again. Four days of hard riding had left no trace on his iron features. Wet to the bone. his eyes flashed with fire. He held the glassful of whisky in a hand as steady as a spiritlevel and tossed il down a throat as cool as dew.
 T want 10 say another thing Lance: l had no more intention than a child of hurting Ed Banks. I warned Ed months ago to keep out of this fight. and I never knew he was in it till it was too late. But I'm hoping he will pull through yet, if they don't kill him in the hospital to spite me never recognized the man at all till it was too late. Why. one of them used to work for me, man with the whole railroad gang in these noun tains after him has got to look out for himself or his life ain't worth glass of beer. Thank Nou Lance, not any more. I saw two men, with their rifles in their hands, looking for me. | hollered al them; but, Lance. I'm rough and ready as all my friends know, and l will let no man put drop on mc-that 1 will never do. Ed, before l ever recognized him raised his rife; that's the only reason l fired. Not so full, Lance, not so full, if you please. We'll" he shook his black hair as he threw back his head. here's to better luck in worse countries." He paused as he swallowed and set the tumbler down. Lance. I'm saying goodby 10 the mountains
 "Youre not going away for good, Murray"
 I'm going away for good. Whats the use? For two years these railroad cutthroats have been trying to put something on me you know that. They've been trying to mix me up with that bridge-burning at Smoky creek, Sugar Buttes, they had me there: Tower W-nothing would do but I was there, and they've got one of the men in jail down there now. Lance, trying 10 sweat enough perjury out of him to send me up. What show has a poor man got against all the money there is in the country? l wouldn't be afraid of jury of my own neighborS--the men that know me, Lance-any time. What show would I have with a packed jury in Medicine Bend? l could explain anything I've done to the satisfaction of any reason able man. I'm human, Lance: that's all l say. I've been mistreated and don't forget it. They've even turned my wife against me-as fine a woman as ever lived"
 Lance Swore sympathetically. There's good stuff in you yet, Mur- ray"
 I'm going to say eood-by to the mountains" Sinclair went on, grimly, but I'm going to Medicine Bend to- night and tell the man that has bounded me what l think of him be. fore I leave I'm going to give my wife a chance to do what is right and go with me. Shes been poisoned