New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-15
CHAPTER XVII.
Unexpected Complications

" tT0I.--t that Temporarily GlIDmVl the CN-
citenent attendant upon stories II the Laugh
ing Natgr property ana the coming stampede
10 the Indian reservation.
Matt -ltr and three others Ut the con-
vcis sr-., uu.aptured. had pillaged ID freight
team al horses. provisions. and arms murdered
q stag driver robbed the express ii "a large
consigurns~t at GOLD and escaped AS before 10
Two separate posses were in pursuit Re
wards a1.-e-4tiug ten thousand dollars were
offered Tor B4rger dead OF alive, with smaller
sums for each IF hrs companions Their latest
depredau.0s had occurred al4rninglv close 10
the mining camp. from which travel Was hecow-
ING most hazarious.
The gold theft was particularly disgusting
70 the Goillte mining contingent Dangers
beset Their enterprises IN many directions, al
the very best To have tins menace added. To-
eether with worry over every mans personal
safety IN travelling about. was fairly intolerable.
The inefficient posses were roUndly berated,
but no man Volunteered 70 issue forth and get
Matt Baregr either alive or as a corpse.
The man Wh. arrived with the news WAS one
OF Vans o-.r,es. Dave the little station man
whom Berf had met the morning 81 her COM
ing. He was here IN response 70 a summons
from Van who thought he saw an opportunity
70 assist his friend 70 better things Every
thing Dave owned he had fetched across the
desert including the horses that Beth and
Elsa once had ridden The station itself he had
Vans new promises burning all hi> bridges. as
Il were behind hmm
NAN came down - meet him. He had other
cone,-u~ IN GoliIte. some with Culver. the
GOyerUrutrr representative and others tTltie
more Per .-aI and intended O. combine them
al IN one excursion.
No sooner had be appeared IN the street.
after duly tah.irg Suvy a the hayward, than
q hundred a.Quaiutances. suddenly trans
iormcl i1-a intimate friends by the change N
his fortune pnuuced upon hun IN q spirit Of
generos.tv hilarlty, and camaraderie that
clOyec uHt only ms senses but even his move
ments lu the camp.
He was dragged and carried into four saloons
like helpless good natured bear cub--stroug
enough o. resist bv infiicting injuries but some
what amused by the game Intelligence II his
advent went the rYunds. The local editor and
the g-r. be- bad addressed as Queeny, on the day
81 The tglt 20 the street. were rivals N another
joyous attack as he escaped al last 10 proceed
about h- nHu affairs.
The ea.tor stood no chance whatsoever.
an had nothing 10 say. and SAID 50. More
over, guer-lE Was very persistent, as well as
very pretty Young person, dIstressIngly care
les ~ c,I.rrruent. She chung 70 Nan Ike
bur.
"Gce Van She cred. with genuine tears IN
her eyes. Didn't ] always say you was the
candy, DIDN'T ] always say "a give YOU nay
mead DIDN'T ] tel en- all YOU was the only
one on r. the only diamonds there Is for me,
and eilu never wal, for YOU 10 strike Il first.
80. vau dldn even wait for an invitation"
answered Van with a smile Everybodys
g, ~ hike now. I'm busy, trying 20 breathe
Fac chung on. Unfortunately, down IN an
ArzyI4 town Van had tr0unced q rutiian once
m Queeuy.s protection. simply because Of her
gender and entirely without reference 10 her
character or her future attitude toward HIM
sell ll her way She personiiied a sort OF adora-
ton and gratitude which could neither be
slam rIr escaped by anything that he or any
one else could do. Her devotion, however, had
palled spon him early perhaps the more be
cause ~ rs habit Of increasing. II had recently
become q pest.
Bu5v." She echoed. You said that be
lore When amt YOU going 10 be busy"
hon I'm &ead. he answered and,
wrcn-hing loose, he Owed inside a hardware
store - purchase a hunting knife for Gettys-
burg then went at once 10 a barber shop and
shut aut the torment OF friends.
II D escaped al the rear. when his face had
been groomed, and made his way unseen
L. Mrs Dicks.
Beth was not al home. She and Bostwick
were together al the office Of the telegraph COM