The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-01-23

here 'ccnt law all justice"
Buck laughed sneeringly at the
wavering OF his men. He would have
to do something to put more heart
into them and regain the ground he
had lost by his single handed conduct
of the case
"There hain't. eh?" he asked con.
temptuously Well. it's lucky
brought some Nv my own outfit with
me-"
"Aiebbe you'll need them if you get
too careless with your talk" answered
the unruffled sheriff.
Turning to Jack, Slim said. This
fool thing can be settled with one
word from you
The young ranchman listened to the
sheriff earnestly. He.wished to clear
himself forever of all suspicious. He
there was false impression abroad
that she was the wife of a slayer.
"What is it," he asked simply.
"Why, you paid off a mortgage of
an even three thousaR dollars last
week. didn't you?"
Yes. What has that to do with
it?' he asked
Euck broke in at this point. Here
was the strongest card that he had in
his hand. and the sheriff had played
it to McKee's adv antage.
Plenty" Buck shouted. "Old Ter
rill wuz shot an killed an robbed,
an the man who did it got just three
thousan' dollars"
AN you mean to say that the boss
here began Sagehrush in his anger
making a rush at Mckee. He was
held back, but the 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.
"All you got to say is whar did you
get that money" cried Buck, who had
seen Dick Lane pay it to Payson and
cOnjectured that Payson did not dare
to reveal the fact of this payment.
with all the disclosure it implied.
why, it was paid to me BY Then
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 out
Echo noticed Jacks hesitancy.
What is it? What's the matter"
she asked in frightened tones.
Nothing. nothing" he answered
lightly to lessen her terror.
Hats off, everybodyw commanded
Slim in Difference to the presence Of
Echo.
who are these men? What's
wrong?" pleaded e no.
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 off the mortgage or
this ranch
The request seemed very simple
one to Echo. All the talk of harming
Jack. the high words, the threats,
could be silenced easily by her hero.
NuliIiUS iHlo lis Eyes, Ieuo Satu, Aeh
them, Jack"
II can't" he faltered.
1T was paid to him by a friend"
bravely began Echo-"a friend to
whom he lent it 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 on! What's
| his name"
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. Il can't tell you that"
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 wv 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
verdict?' Buck cid not wait for an
| answer. Raising his voice, he shouted,
"Guilty!'
Jack. jack What have you to
| say?" begged Echo.
Nothing" was his only answer.
Tell him he liesr 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 bet" choruSed his men.
''He hain't goin' to get off like that"
| declared Buck. Looking confidently at
his own followers. he said. THE Lazy
| X can take care Nv him."
Bucks men moved closer to him.
| preparing to draw their guns If need
be and open fire on Jacks defenders.
Look out. boss!" 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