Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-06-22
His enjoyment in contemplating his

udu SpOheu VI W IOIIy, WOIu uc uuu
picked up from fortune tellers, whom
he often consulted. being very super
stitious, as are most gamblers.
And Nemesis in the person Of Peru
ma was indeed approaching The out
law crept out Of the draw behind the
cOntemplative half breed and, leaping
upon his back, plunged his knife in Nc
KEGS neck with fierce thrust, into
which he concentrated all his hatred
for the humiliation he had endured.
With sti1ed cry Buck struggled to
his feet to face his assailant, drawing
his gun instinctively. The knife had
bitten too deeply. however With n
groan he fell Weakly he tried to level
his gun, his finger twitching convul-
sively at the trigger. Peruna waited
to see II he had strength enough to
Gre. A sneering smile added to the
evil appearance Of his face. Seeing
Buck helpless. he snatched the gun
from his hand. Then lie turned his
victim over so he could reach the
pocket Of his waistcOat. With the
blood stained knife he ripped open the
cloth and extracted roll Of paper and
money. Peruna was kneeling beside
the body of his former friend when a
voice drawled:
"Drop that knifew
Peruna jumped up. with grunt Of
dismay, to see Slim Hoover sitting on
horseback. with his revolver held up
right, ready for use.
Peruna hesitated. drop it, ordered
Slim sharply, slightly lowering the gun.
Peruna tossed away the knife, with n
snarl.
"Ill take care Of your friends bun
die an the papers an money you
took from his pocket. Drop them. |
didn't figure on gettin' back to busi'
ness as soon as | got home. but you
never can tell, can yOu?"
The last remark was addressed to
his deputy, Timber Virgins, who had
joined him.
"This here's Timber Virgins. dep
uty sheriff Of Pinal county" explained
Slim for Peruna's enlightenment.
mfr. Virgins. will you take care Of
this friend Of mine?" continued the
sheriff, glancing from Peruna. who
looked at him stolidly, to Wiggins. Il
reckon he's been doin' somethin'
naughty"
The two men dismounted. keeping
the outlaw covered and watching his
every glance.
Anything to oblige." replied Wig
gins, who had solcmnly entered with
Slim into his assumed formality.
Virgins stepped behind Peruna and,
reaching forward. removed Bucks gun
from the outlaws holster, which had
been empty since Buck. earlier in the
day, had taken his revolver after he
had insulted Echo.
Anything to oblige," said Virgins
to Slim. Then to Peruna he command.
ed: Lets take walk. You first I'm
noted fer my politeness."
You might tie him up some," sug-
gested Slim.
III sure will" answered the deputy
as he marched his prisoner toward the
corral.
Slim hastened to the side Of the fall
EN- man and turned him over on his
back to get Il glimpse of Peruna's vic
tim. He saw that Buck was still
breathing, although mortally wounded,
the blood gushing from his mouth.
Mckee recognized the sheriff. "IIel-
10! When did you git back?" he asked.
"Jes' now. Is this your money
said Slim, holding the role In front Of
McKee's eyes.
mo; It's your'n-part Nv what | took
from Ole Man Terrill. The idee Nv not
reoognizin' yer own property. Me
Kee grinned at his joke Oh the sheriff.
81 held the old man up, an that's all
there Is TO it,"
"Who was with you?" asked Slim.
''There was two"
Mckee was silent.
Bud Mckee was the other man"
haZarded Slim.
Mo- began Buck, but Slim inter-
rupted him.
He was with you that night. He
come to the weddin' with you. 1t amt
no use IN denyin' it. I've been thinkin'
It all out. | was fooled by Jacks pacln'
boss. You an BUD
Here Mckee interrupted with Il sol
foil the sheriff, whom he knew was
Buds rival in love and so thought him
the young mans enemy, or from the
benevolent spirit induced by the recent
contemplation Of his virtues, Mckee
was impelled to give an account Of the
murder which very convincingly indi-
Gated Bud as protesting catspaw
rather than consenting accomplice.
At the end Of the story he smiled
grimly:
so while you wuZ out Nv the county
on viii goose chase after an inncrccnt
man Peruna he goes loco on pateh
uleQlclTc an SltS tuc euii'y poi's'
Jokes OIL you, Slim. nomernate Pc
runa fer mex sheriff"
Exhausted with the effort and pain
Of talking, Mckee dropped his head
upon Hoover's broad breast I'm faint.
Hoover bore him down to the spring
and bathed his wound and mouth.
Mckee revived and in broken phrases,
which were accompanied with blood
from his pierced lungs frothing out
Of his month, continued his Observa-
tions on the ridiculous and unfOrtu-
nate mistake Peruna made in killing
him.
.Dern fools bes' fr'en'-l would
herd-'th low down intcllecks-nev
'preciate6-no chance-to be frs class
bad man."
And so Buck Mckee. desperate,
died, like many another ambitious soul,
with expressions Of disappointment on
his lips.
~ ITo Be CONTINUED