Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-06-29

to the other OF the nell, dazed and
frightened.
"a thief? Bud a thief? What does
It mean? Tell me!' she gasped. Turn
ing to Bud. she demanded, bud. you
heard what he said?"
Dropping his head, fearing to look at
either of them, he muttered sullenly.
"He lied"
Slim checked bis frst betrayal OF bis
anger and kept himself well in hand.
ooh, Slim," pleaded Polly, "say you
didn't mean It."
Simply and sadly Slim answered: II
didn't. reckon as how I'm some jeal-
Gus, an'-an'-I lied"
His voice dropped, and he turned
aside, stepping away from the young
couple.
Polly was still in doubt. Sims ac-
tions were so strange. 1t was not like
this big hearted, brave sheriff to &C.
cuse man Of stealing without being
sure Of his charges. Then Sims ac.
cusing himself of lying was entirely at
variance with his character. "pm sor.
ry," she said. please forgive me. 1t
was all my fault didn't know that
YOU
Slim held up his hand to silence her.
"Wouldn't you mind leavin' US to-
gether bitY be requested. In answer
to Polly's frightened glance he con-
tinued: There amt goin' to be no
trouble, only-me an hlm's got little
business to talk over. Amt we, Bud,
eh?"
Slim led Polly toward the corral,
glancing at Bud over his shoulder with
reassuring smile Just you step out
yonder bit an wait" he said to Polly.
"Now, you WON'T
Cant you trust me any more" he
asked sincerely.
Grasping him by the hand, she looked
him fairly and fearlessly in the eyes,
saying: II do trust you. l trust you
both"
As the girl strobe out Of earshot
Slim absentmindedly Kept shaking the
hand she had held. Awakening sud-
denly to the fact that his hand was
empty, he looked at it curiously and
sighed. Turning quickly, he slapped
his hat on his head, hitched up his
chaps and stepped up to Bud, who
stood with q sneer Oh his lips.
$50 you're the man that Polly loves"
he said. "she's good girl, an she
loves thief"
Bud turned on him tiercely, drawing
his gun. Take carew be warned.
"You won't shoot. If you meant to
shoot you'd "a done 1t long ago, when
you pulled your gun!' exclaimed Slim
coolly.
* might do 1t now" Bud held his
gun against Sims breast.
Slim threw up his hands to show
be was not afraid Of the boy. go
ahead. Squeeze your hardware. l
reckon I'm big enough to KILL" he said.
Then he took Buds hand and gently
slid the revolver back into the holster.
The action broke down Buds bravado.
All barriers fell before the simple &C.
ton. "It's all up with me-" he said
brokenly.
Slim sympathlzed with the boy In
his trouble.
Buck he told me. Buck he lowed
you had your share Of that money"
he explained.
The boy drew the money from his
pocket and handed 1t to Slim, remark.
Ing: Here 1t is-all Of 1t. I never
touched 1t. I was going"- Bud was
about to lie again. but he realized the
futility Of more falsehoods. "Take It,"
he added.
Slim counted the money and slipped
It into his pocket.
Bud" he said to that young man.
"me an you have been pretty good
friends. we have. learned you how
to ride. to throw rope, an Bud-Bud
what did you take It fer? l know
you didn't murder Terrill fer it, but
what did you keep the money ferT'
He asked the question with anger and
annoyance.
Slim had seated himself by the fire.
He spoke to the boy as he would to Il
comrade.
Cant you sce?" the boy asked
"POlly. I wanted to make a home for
her, and now she'll know me for what
l am, thief-a thief"
Bud buried his face In his hands,
the tears trickling through his fingers,
although he fought strongly against
showing his weakness.
Slim rose and stepped to his side,
laying his hand OH the boys shoulder
"Mebbe she won't have to know.
Buck he's dead, an only you an me
know"
Bud looked ut the speaker in amaze
ment 4 lovable smile crept over
Sims face. "I'm goin'," he said, "to
slip you new deck an give you q
fresh deal. That WAS part my money
that was stole | never come back at
the county fer it. Buck he's paid back
his half. III let 'em all think 1t was
the whole. I'll put In thousan'
have ut home that I was savin' to buy
I'm with the Triangle b In case I don't
git elected mex time. So, Bud, I'm
goin' to lend a thousan' of this to you
just to give chance at that little
home"
you're the whitest man ever
kneww cried Bud.
81 reckon I amt colored, 'cept lit
tic red mite on top" laughed Slim. He
disliked any show Of feeling by the
boy over the offer he had made.
"But l can't take your money" Bud
protested.
"Yes, you can," assured Slim. "You
pay 1t back when you get on your feet
agin. I'm goin' to take your word"
Sims generosity overwhelmed the
boy. "Take my word~ he cried.
Slim laid his hands on the boys
shoulders. "Yes," he declared. you've
made your first bad break, but you've
had your first lesson. An you aim
goin' to forget it," he added emphat
Ically.
"And Polly" he faltered.
There amt nobody goin' to tell her.
Speaking sternly to Bud. he added
"You make her a good husband"
Bud seized the sheriff's hand, wiring
ing it warmly. II will, Slim; WILL
he promised.