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

- ing learned tndl SIllu anu HIS
posse had discovered only the fact
that the murderer had ridden pacing
horse to the ford, Mckee took full adj
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 a few days he began to bring
the name of PaysOn into the conyersa-
ton. 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
ton agent and with the proceeds Of
the robbery was paying off his old
debts.
Gathering his own men about hiD
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
so throw off 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 az
cusers and defenders rapidly nearing
Il battle.
Jack was taking the charges coolly
enough. as lie did not know what sup
port Mckee had manufactured to up
hold the charges he made Slim in
Termed Mckee be would listen to what
&c had to say and if afterWard he
thought Jack guilty he would place
aim under arrest: for all concerned
i. would be better to go into the house.
The Sweetwater boys surrounded Jack
> they followed Slim into the living
room. Lining up in opposing groups,
Slim stood in the center to serve as
iuIge and jury. with Buck and Jack
IT his right and left hand.
Inside the door Jack said: Keep as
quiet rs you can, boys. | don't want
to alarm my wife. Now, what is it,"
The punchers hushed their discus
sion of the charge and listened atten-
lively to what the men most interest
ed had to say.
"Well, darn it ALL" apologizeds the
sheriff to Jack, Its all darn fool bust
ness anyway. Buck here. he started
it."
Jack smiled sarcastically and, glanc-
ing at Mckee, remarked, Buck Nc
KEGS started a coed many things III
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.
81 hain't goin'," he whined, ito have
folks suspicion me Nv. any such doin's
as the KILN Nv ole Man Terrill. l
got a witness to prove / wuzn't in
twenty miles NV the place"
who's your witness" 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 fittin' 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 I'M
ceremonious way he had been left out
at the feast.
What makes you point to me as the
manw asked Jack quietly.
You WIZ late gettin' to yer own
weddin'."
Fresno could not repress his feelings.
any longer He started angrily to-
ward Mckee. but Jack and Sagebrush
held him back The others We're about
to follow his lead when Slim motioned
them back with the caution. keep out
Of this. boyS!'
Il was late" explained Jack, but
told you | rode around to the station
TO get wedding present ordered fol
my wife
Jim interrupted him to substanriate
the statement. Pointing to a desk. be
said That's so. There it is. t0o-that
there desk"
The Sweetwater outfit nodded in ac-
QuieScencc. but the others looked In
credulous
Buck sneered at che defense which
Jack nade. Nobody saw you Over
that way. did they"
IL saw Terrill. 1t must have been
just before he was killed. didn't
meet anybody else" Jack showed III
trace of temper under the inquisition.
''Of course you saw him before he
wuz killed-about Il minute. AIebbe
you didn't plug him the next minute
with 44?"
The charge reused Sagebrush's fight
ing blood Drawing his gun, he at.
tempted TO get fair shot at the ac-
cuser Fresno and Show Low grabbed
him by the arms. holding him back
The foreman shouted, 'There'll be
some one plugged right now If you
all make another break like that.'
Slim waved bis hands over his head.