West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-25
CHAPTER XII.

ing or "Ole Man" Terrill Hay
Ing learned that Slim and hi,
posse had discovered only the fac,
that the murderer had ridden pacing
horse TO the ford, Mckee took fun ad.
vantage OF this fact. In the COW
camps, the barrooms and at the rail-
road station he limited at first that a
certain person every one knew could
tell lot more about the death Of the
OLD man than he cared to have known.
After Few days he began TO bring
the name OF Payson into the conyersa-
tion. His gossip became rumor and
then common report. When It became
known that Jack had paid OFF the
mortgage on his ranch Buck came out
with the accusation that Payson was
the murderer. Finding that he was
listened to. Buck made the direct
charge that Payson had killed the sta
tion agent and with the proceeds Of
the robbery was paying Off his old
debts.
Gathering his own men about him
and being Joined by the idle hangers
on who are TO be found about every
town, Buck led his party to the ranch
on the Sweetwater TO accuse Jack and
80 throw or In advance any suspicious
which might attach to himself.
Fortunately Slim happened to be at
Jacks ranch at the time. When he
entered the corral he found Jacks ac-
cusers and defenders rapidly nearing
a battle.
JACK was taking the charges coolly
enough, as he did not know what sun
port Mckee had manufactured to up-
noid the charges he made. Slim In
formed Mckee he would listen to what
he had TO say and IL afterward he
thought Jack guilty he would place
him under arrest; for all concerned
IL would be better to 60 into the house.
The Sweetwater boys surrounded Jack
as they followed Slim into the living
room. Lining up in opposing groups.
slim stood In the center to serve as
Judge and jury, with Buck and Jack
at his right and left hand.
Inside the door Jack said: keep as
quiet as you can, boys. i don't want
to alarm my wife. Now, what is itT
The punchers hushed their discus
sion OF the charge and listened atten-
lively TO what the men most interest
ed had TO say.
We'll, darn It ALL" apologized the
sheriff to Jack ITS all darn fool busi-
ness anyway. Buck here, he st,frted
IT.
Jack smiled sarcastIcally and, glanc-
ing at Mckee, remarked, "Buck Nc
KEGS started a good many things in
his day
Buck began to buster He could not
face Jack fairly. Already placed on
the defense when he had considered
he would be the accuser. Mckee took
refuge In the plea of being wronged
by false suspicion.
II hain't goln'," he whlned, "to have
folks suspicion me NV any such doin's
as the KILN NV ole Man Terrill. i
got witness to prove / wuzn't in
twenty miles NV the place"
who's your witnessT asked Slim
IN his most judicial tones.
bud Lane. Me an him rode over to
the weddin' together from the Lazy
X, an / wuz put out as not httin' to
be there. an by that very man there
that did the KILN"
The punchers had to grin In spite Of
the seriousness of the occasion. Buck
appeared to be deeply hurt at the un-
ceremonious way he had been left out
at the feast.
what makes you point to me as the
manT asked Jack quietly.
You wuz late gettin' to yer own
weddln'."
Fresno could not repress his feelings
any longer. He started angriIy to-
ward Mckee, but Jack and Sagebrush
held him back. The others were about
to follow his lead when Slim motioned
them back with the caution, keep out
Of this, boysP'
II was late" explained Jack, ''but
told you 1 rode around to the station
to get wedding present ordered for
my Wife
D. Jim interrupted him to substantiate
the statement Pointing to a desk, he
said: That's so. There it Is, too-that
there desk"
The Sweetwater outfit nodded IN ac-
quiescence, but the others looked I'm
credulous
Buck sneered at the defense which
Jack made. Nobody saw you over
that way, dld theyf"
II saw Terrill IL must have been
just before be was killed. I didn't
meet anybody else" Jack showed no
trace OF temper under the inqulsltion.
"Of course you saw him before be
wuz killed--about n minute. Mebbs
you didn't plug him the next minute
with a ar
The charge reused Sagebrush's fight
Ing blood. Drawing his gun, he at
tempted to get a fair shot at the ac
cuser. Fresno and Show Low grabbed
him by the arms holding him back
Tho foreman shouted, "There1l bs
Some one plugged right now n yot
all make another break like thatw
Slim waved his hands over his head
driving the men backward, rs n h'
were sboolng away a flock OF chick
ems.
Easy. nOw-easy," he drawled
There amt a-goin' 10 be nothin' doin
here 'cept law an Justice"
Buck laughed sneeringly at th,
wavering Of bis men He would hav,
20 do something to put more hear
into them and regain the ground h
had lost by his single handed conduc
Of the case.
''There hain't, ehg" he asked cor
temptuousiy We'll, It's lucky
brought some nv my own outfit wit
me"
"Mebbo youn need them n you 20
too careless with your talk" answere
the unrumed sheriff.
Turning TO Jack. Slim said. "Thi
fool thing can be settled. with on
word from you"
The young ranchman listened to IN
sbcri1 earnestly. lie wished TO cieg