davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANDRE BOWIES

want it to be again. don't blame you. You're worth all the women I ever knew, Marion. I've learned to appreciate some few things in the lonely months I've spent up on the Frenchman; but I've felt while 1 was there as if were working for both of us. I've got buyer in sight now for the cattle and the land I'm ready to clean up and say good-by to trouble all want is for you to give me the one chance I've asked for and go along"
 They stood facing each other under the dim light. She listened intently to every word, though in her terror she might not have heard or under stood all of them. One thing she did very clearly understand, and that was why he had come and what he wanted. To that she held her mind tenaciously, and for that she shaped her answer. "I cannot go with you-now or ever"
 He waited a moment. We always got along, Marion, when I behaved my. self"
 T hope you always will behave yourself; but I could no more go with
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09
CHAPTER %%N.li.
Duty.


 The stir of the town over the shoot ing of Banks seemed to Marion, in her distress, to point an accusing finger at her. The disgrace of what she had felt herself powerless to prevent now weighed on her mind, and she asked herself whether after all, the respon- sibility of this murder was not upon her. Even putting aside this painful doubt, she bore the name of the man who had savagely defled accountabih- ty and now, it seemed to her, was dragging her with him through the slough of blood and dishonor into which he had plunged.
 The wretched thought would return that had she listened to him, had she consented to go away, this outbreak might have been prevented And what horror might not anoAer day bring what lives still closer to her life be | taken? For herself she cared less; but she knew that Sinclair, now that he had begun, would not stop. In | whichever way her thoughts turned, wretchedness was upon them, and the day went in one of those despairing and indecisiye battles that each one within his own heart must fight at times with heaviness and doubt
 McCloud called her over the tele- phone in the afternoon to say that he was going west on the evening train and would not be over for supper. She wished he could have come, for her loneliness began to be insupport- able.
 Toward sunset she put on her hat and started for the post-office. In the meantime, Dicksie, at home, had called McCloud up and told him she was coming down for the night He immediately cancelled his plans for going west, and when Marion returned at dusk she found him with Dicksie at the cottage. The three had supper Afterward Dicksie and McCloud went out for walk. and Marion was alone in the house when the shop door opened and Whispering Smith walked in. It was dusk.
 Don't light the lamps, Marion" he said, sitting down on a counter-stool as he took off his hat. q want to talk to you just a minute, if you don't mind You know what has happened. I am called on now to go after Sin clair. l have tried to avoid it, but my hand has been forced. To-day I've been placing horses. I am going to ride tonight with the warrant. have given him start of 24 hours, hoping he may get out of the country. To stay here means only death to him in the end, and, what is worse, the kill ing of more and innocent men. But he won't leave the country; do you think he will?" "A
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09

Murray Sinclair and his gang of wreck CTS were called out to clear the railroad tracks at Smoky Creek. McCloud. a young road superintendent, caught Sin clair and his men in the act of footing the wrecked train. Sinclair pleaded in nocence, declaring it only amounted to a small sum-a treat for the men. McCloud discharged the whole outfit and ordered the wreckage burned. McCloud became acquainted with Dicksie Dunning a girl or the west. who came to look at the wreck. Whispering Gordon Smith told President Bucks of the railroad, of Me Clouds brave fight against a gang of craZed miners and that was the reason Tor the superntendent's appointment to his office. McCloud arranged board at the boarding house of Mrs. Sinclair the ex-foreman's deserted wife. Dicksie Dun ming was the daughter of the late Rich ard Cunning. who had died of broken heart shortly after his wife's demise, which occurred after one year of mar ried life. Smoky Creek bridge was mys- teriousy burned President Bucks noti- fled Smith that he had work ahead. stock train was wrecked by an open switch. Later passenger train was held up and the express car robbed. Two men Of a posse pursuing the bandits were killed. whispering Smith" approached Sinclair. He tried to buy him off. but failed. He warned McCloud that his life was in danger. McCloud was carried forcibly into Lance Dunning's presence. Cunning refused the railroad a rght-of- way, he had already signed for. Dicksle interfered to prevent a shooting affray. Dicksie met McCloud on a lonely trail to warn him his life was in danger. On his way home shot passed through his hat. sudden rise of the Crawling Stone rv- CT created consternation. Dicksie and Ma rion appealed to McCloud for help Whis- pering Smith joined the group. McCloud took his men to fight the river. Lance Cunning welcomed them cordially. Me Cloud succeeded in halting the flood. Dicksie and Marion visited Sinclair at his ranch. He tried to persuade his deserted wife to return to him. She refused. He accused Whispering Smith of having stolen her love from him. train was held up and robbed, the bandits escap- ing Smith and McCloud started in pur- suit At Baggs ranch Du Sang killed old Bags. Whispering Smith befrended his ten-year-old son. They came to Williams Cache. Smith was certain the bandits were there. He importuned Rebstock, king of the cache" to give up Du Sang. Rebstock refused Smith declared he would clean out the whole gang inclu ding Rebstock. Smith came upon the bandits, Du Sang among them. Single handed he routed them all. He set in pursuit of one, the other two being hope lessy wounded. Du Sang died of his wounds. The party started for home. Medicine Bend heard the news of the capture. McClouds love match with Dicksie progressed favorably.
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09
CHAPTER XXI.
A Midniqht Visit.

The lights, but one, were out. Me Cloud and Whispering Smith had gone, and Marion was locking up the house for the night, when she was halted by a knock at the shop door. It was a summons that she thought she knew, but the last in the world that she wanted to hear or to answer. DickSie had gone to the bedroom, and standing between the portieres mat curtaineo the workroom from the shop, Marion in the half-light listened, hesitating whether to ignore or to answer the midnight intruder. But experience, and bitter experience, had taught her there was only one way to meet that particular summons, and that was to act, whether at noon or at midnight, without fear. She waited until the knocking had been twice repeated, turned up the light, and going to the door drew the bolt; Sinclair stood be- fore her, and she drew back for him to enter. "Dicksie Cunning is with me tonight" said Marion, with her hand on the latch, "and we shall have to talk here."
 Sinclair took off his hat. q knew you had company" he returned in the low, gentle tone that Marion knew very well, "so I came late. And heard tonight, for the first time, that this railroad crowd is after me-God knows why; but they have to earn their salary somehow. I want to keep out of trouble if I can. 1 won't kill anybody if they don't force me to it. They've scared nearly all my men away from the ranch already; one crippled-up cowboy is all I have got to help me look after the cattle. But I won't quarrel with them, Marion, if I can get away from here peaceably, so I've come to talk it over once more with you. I'm going away and l want you to go with me; I've got enough to keep us as well as the best of them and as long as we live. You've given me a good lesson. I needed 1t, girlie--"
 Don't call me that!"
 He laughed kindly. "Why, that's what 1t used to be; that's what
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09

1 lessly on the table. Rode down to- gether! For Gods sake, why didn't one of them stay at the house?"
 Sinclair rode out from behind the barn and hit Wickwire in the arm be- fore they saw him. Banks turned and opened on him, and Wickwire tucked for the creek. Sinclair put a soft bull let through Banks shoulder-tore it pretty bad, Gordon-and made his get away before Wickwire and I could reach the barn again. I got Ed on his horse and back to Wickwire's, and we sent one of the boys to Oroville for doctor. After Banks fell out of the saddle and was helpless Sinclair talked to him before l came up. You ought to have kept out of this, Ed he said. This is railroad fight. Why didn't they send the head of their own gang after me?'-naming you" Kennedy nodded toward Whispering Smith.
 Naming me-"
 Banks says: I'm sheriff of this county, and will be long time yeti l took the papers from his breast pocket" continued Kennedy You can see where he was hit" Kennedy laid the sheriff's packet on the table. Bucks drew his chair forward and. with his cigar between his fingers. picked the packet up and opened it. Kennedy went on: ''Ea told Sinclair if he couldn't land him himself that he knew man who could and would before he was a week older. He meant you, Gordon, and the last thing Ed told me was that he wanted you to serve the papers on Sinclair"
 A silence fell on the company. One of the documents passing under Bucks hand caught his eye and he opened it. It was the warrant for Sinclair. He read it without comment, folded it, and, looking at Whispering Smith, pushed it toward him. Then this, guess, Gordon, belongs to you.'
 Starting from reverie, Whispering Smith reached for the warrant. He looked for a moment at the blood stained caption. Yes" he said, this, I guess, belongs to me-
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09

l don't want to live without you. If you make me do it, you're to blame for the consequences"
 She stood with wide-open eyes, but uttered no word.
 You won't touch it-then you care q little for me yet" he murmured.
 "No! Do not say so. But l will not do murder"
 Think about the other, then. Go with me and everything will be all right. I will come back some evening soon for my answer. And until then, if those two men have any use for life, let them keep in the clear. 1 heard tonight that Du Sang is killed. Do you know whether it is true?'
 Tt is true"
 An oath half escaping showed how the confirmation cut him. And Whis- pering Smith got away! It is Du Sang's own fault; l told him to keep out of that trap. I stay in the open 1; and I'm not Du Sang. I'll choose my own ground for the finish when they want it with me, and when l go I'll take company-Ill promise you that.
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09
Here! Use 1t on Mel"
Will you shake

Goodnight, Marion. Will you shake hands?"
 No"
 Damn it, I like your grit, girl! Well, goodnight anyway"
 She closed the door. She had even strength enough to bolt 1t before his footsteps died away. She put out the light and felt her way blindly back to the workroom. She staggered through it, clutching at the curtains, and fell in the darkness into Dicksie's arms.
 Marion, dear, don't speak" Dicksie whispered. q heard everything. Oh, Marion!" she cried, suddenly con- scious of the inertness of the burden in her arms. 'Oh, what shall I do?"
 Moved by fright to her utmost strength, Dicksie drew the uncon- scious woman back to her room and managed to lay her on the bed. Mari on opened her eyes few minutes later to see the lights burning, to hear the telephone bell ringing, and to find Dicksie on the edge of the bed beside her.
 OH, Ndilou, tHdlh utdNtu, yuH AlS reviving! l have been frightened to death. Don't mind the telephone; it is MT. McCloud. l didn't know what to do, so l telephoned him."
 But you had better answer him." said Marion, faintly. The telephone bell was ringing wildly.
 "Oh, no! he can wait. How are you, dear? l don't wonder you were fright ened to death. Marion, he means to kill us-every one!"
 No, Dicksie. He will kill me and kill himself; that Is where 1t will end. Dicksie, do answer the telephone. What are you thinking of? MT. McCloud will be at the door in five minutes. Do you want him in the street to-night?"
 Dicksie fled to the telephone, and an excited conference over the wire closed in seeming reinsurance at both ends. By that time Marion had re- gained her steadiness, but she could not talk of what had passed. At times, as the two lay together in the dark ness, Marion spoke, but 1t was not 10 be answered. T do not know," she
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09

you than I could make myself again what was years ago, Murray. l w.sh you nothing but good; but our ways parted long ago"
 Stop and think minute, Marion. 1 offer you more and offer 1t more honestly than l ever offered it before, because I know myself better. l am alone in the world-strong, and better able to care for you than I was when 1 undertook to-"
 q have never complained.
 That's what makes me more anx- ious to show you now that I can anc will do what's right"
 "Oh, you multiply words! It is too late for you to he here. You are in danger, you say; for the love of heaven, leave me and go away!"
 You know me, Marion, when my mind is made up. I won't leave with out you" He leaned with one hand against the ribbon showcase. "If you don't want to go will stay right here and pay off the scores I owe. Two men here have stirred this country up too long, anyway. I don't care much how soon anybody gets me after l round them up. But tonight l felt like this: You and I started out in life together, and we ought to live 1t out or die together, whether it's to- night, Marion, or 20 years from to- night"
 If you want to kill me tonight, I have no resistance to make"
 Sinclair sat down on a low counter stool, and, bending forward, held his head between his hands. Tt oughtnt all to end here. I know you, and know you want to do what's right. couldn't kill you without killing my self you know that" He straight ened up slowly. "Here!" He slipped his revolver from his hip-holster and held the grip of the gun toward her. Use it on me if you want to-. It is your chance to end everything: 1t may save several lives if you do. I won't leave McCloud here to crow over me, and, by God, l won't leave you here for Whispering Smith! I'll settle with him anyhow. Take the pistol! What are you afraid of? Take 1t! Use it!
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09

ground with Du Sang shooting at you. She ordered up her horse, without a word, and rode 20 miles in an hour and half to find out here what we had heard. She pushed in at the Wickiup, where she never had been before in her life, and wandered through it alone looking for my office, to find out from me whether l hadn't something to contradict the bad news. While we talked, in came your dis patch from Sleepy Cat. Never was one better timed, And when she knew you were safe her eyes filled again"
 Whispering Smith looked at Dicksie, quizzically. Her confusion was de- lightful. He rose, lifted her hand in his own, and bending, kissed it.
 They talked till late, and when Dicksie walked on the porch McCloud followed to smoke. Whispering Smith still sat at the table talking to Marion, and the two heard the sound of the low voices outside. At intervals Dick sie's laugh came in through the open door.
 Whispering Smith, listening, said nothing for some time, but once she laughed peculiarly. He pricked up his ears. What has been happening since I left town?"
 What do you mean?" asked Marion Sinclair.
 He nodded toward the porch. Mo Cloud and Dicksie out there. They have been fixing things up"
 Nonsense! What do you mean"
 q mean they are engaged"
 Never in the world!"
 q may be slow in reading trail, '" said Smith, modestly, but when a woman laughs like that think there's something doing. Don't you believe it? Call them in and ask them. You won't? Well, I will. Take them in separate rooms. You ask her and Hi ask him."
 In spite of Marion's protests the two were brought in. 'I am required by Mir Smith to ask you very silly question, Dicksie," said Marion, taking her into the living room. Answer yes UT no. Are you euSdSeu to any oouy
 What a question! Why, no!"
 Marion Sinclair wants to know just one thing. George" said Whispering Smith to McCloud, after he had taken him into the dark shop. She feels she ought to know because she is in a way Dicksie's chaperone, you know, and she feels that you are willing she should know l don't want to be too serious, but answer yes or no. Are you engaged to Dicksie?"
 Why, yes. T."
 That's all; go back to the porch, directed Whispering Smith. McCloud obeyed orders.
 Marion, alone in the living room was waiting for the inquisitor, and her face wore a look of triumph. You are not such a mind-reader after all are you? I told you they weren't"
 'I told you they were" contended Whispering Smith.
 She says they are not" insisted Marion.
 He says they are," returned Whis- pering Smith. And, what's more, I'll bet my saddle against the shop they are. I could be mistaken in any thing but that laugh"
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09
CHAPTER XXx.-Continued.

Wont you give me the number and let me telephone?" asked a voice be- hind them. They turned in astonish- ment and saw Whispering Smith. q am surprised" he added, calmly, 'to see a man of your intelligence George, trying to broil steak with the lower door of your stove wide open. Close the lower door and cut out the draft through the fire. Don't stare, George; put back the broiler And haven't you made a radical mis. take to start with?" he asked, step ping between the confused couple Are you not trying to broil a roast of beef?"
 Where did you come from?" de manded McCloud, as Marion came in from the dining room.
 Don't search me the very first thing" protested Whispering Smith.
 But we've been frightened to death here for "A hours. Are you really alive and unhurt? This young lady rode in 20 miles this morning and came to the office in tears to get news of you.''
 Smith looked mildly at Dicksie. Did you shed a tear for me? l should like to have seen just onei Where did come from? I reported in wild over the teleI hone ten minutes ago. Didn't Marion tel you? She is so forgetful. That is what causes wrecks, Marion. I have been in the saddle since three o'clock this morning, thank you, and have had nothing for five days but raw steer garnished with sunshine"
 The four sat down to supper, and Whispering Smith began to talk. He told the story of the chase to the and the tardy appearance of the men he wanted. "Du Sang meant to shoot his way through us and make a dash for it. There really was nothing else for him to do. Banks and Kennedy were up above, even if he could have ridden out through the upper canyon, which is very doubtful with all the water now. After little talk back and forth, Du Sang drew, and of course then it was every man for him self. Re was hit twice and he died Sunday night, but the other two were not seriously hurt. What can you do? It is either kill or get killed with those fellows, and. ot course, I talked plain ly to Du Sang. He had butchered a man at Mission Springs just the night before, and deserved hanging dozen times over. He meant from the start, he told me afterward, to get me. Oh, Miss Cunning, may I have some more coffee? Haven't l an agreeable part of the railroad business, don't you think? l shouldn't have pushed in here tonight, but I saw the lights when I rode by awhile ago; they looked so good I couldn't resist"
 McClouG leaned forward. You call it pushing in, do you, Gordon? Do you know what this young lady did this morning? One of her cowboys came down from the Cache early with the word that you had been killed in the fight by Du Sang. He said he saw you drop from your saddle to the
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09
A True Southerner.
(TO BE CONTINUED)

Senator Beveridge was praising the savoir- -faire of a southern congress- man.
 His savoir-faire," said the sena- tor, never deserts him. I once sat next him at a banquet. Suddenly there was a clattering fall. and a clumsy waiter spilled plate of clear soup down his back. He just bit his lip.
 "Tt was thick soup l asked for.' he said. in a slightly reproachfui voice. to the man"
The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-09
|WZnl]ISpERING SM[II1| & x By RANK1.SpEARNAN. X B ! c&ss@sgg~o ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANDRE BowEs o-~szS9ze

murmured once wearily. Perhaps l am doing wrong; perhaps I ought to go with him. I wish, oh, wish knew what I ought to dol"
New-York tribune., 1909-05-25
SILENCE GIVES CONSENT
QWakers Hear and accept Reports
of 214th Yearly Meeting.

In the way they have conducted their yearly
meetings for 23 years. Quakers continued yester-
day their 214th New York yearly meeting. which
was begun on Saturday in the Meeting House at
Rutherfurd Place and 18th street. The Religious
Society of Friends doesn't fight about things Re
ports were read yesterday and accepted without
word No word meant acceptance. A letter
read from the Philadelphia yearly meeting. and this
was silently approved. The board of managers Of
the Friends Home Association elected officers
through a committee George A Mcdowell
chosen president, Harry "A. Hawkins secetary and
John 7. Willets treasurer. Again the silent accept
anCe.
For twenty years William H. Wfllets seryed the
meeting clerk. He is I'll and asked to
heved The name of James s. Haviland. of New
Rochelle. was suggested by committee for the
place There was the usual wordless acceptance
Routine business matters came up one by one. The
assistant clerk Miss Amy Willets. sat at the desk
and silently noted the reports. Not a ripple Of
citernent stirred the calm of the gathering the
work OF the meeting proceeded All of this in
the daytime with occasional noisy automobiles
passing, the rattlilg of wagons and the distant
crashing sound OF the Third avenue elevated trains
intruding.
At the night meeting-a symposium. the Friends
called f-there was a departure to a departure.
Tho Friends In this country have only two psid
ofhcers. One is Henry W. Wilbur. OF Philadelphia,
the general secretary Of the committee for ad-
Vancement of Friends principles Of the Friends
General Conference. and the other IS J. Barnard
Ndlton' associate secretary. who appointed in
August. and who reported last night. He told Of
mis- work, which the establishment of system
I'm the meeting methods of business He also did
some visiting among Friends and others.
When Mr.. Walton sat down, Mr. Wilbur, who was
the chairman of the meeting. asked for comments.
The work was new, the office was new and about
five Friends wanted to know about the de-
tails. but their questions gentle their
religion Did his efforts bring Friends to
meeting? He thought they did. Was there not
some danger Of professionalism. smacklng of the
paid pastor? No. Mr. Walton did not think there
was, because he was doing what other Friends did,
only more Systematically, and helping others to 10
the work also. There criticism. The elO
quent, silent pauses spelled harmony.
Papers read by Miss Elisabeth Slower
Service in Meeting That VIII Develop interest;
by Mrs. Mariana 8. Rawson. on The Societys
Duty to Its Children to Keep Them in the So
Ciety.' and by Henry W. Wilbur. THE Obliga-
tions OF the Society Touching It's Meeting House
Property" Mr.. Wilbur believed that the meeting
should be preserved under all circumstances.
Then there were a few moments Of silence and the
meeting adjourned. 1t was said last evening that
the vital part of the business OF the yearly
meeting would be transacted to-day.