Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-05-18

Jack replied shortly, "All right; he's
inside"
~ didn't write to him." cheerfully re
sumed Dick. 81 didn't want the kid
to know. He is so excitable he would
have blabbed it right out. Ill sure be
glad to see the boy again. He's Inn
pulsive, but his hearts all right.
know you've kept lookout over him.
This trust In him was getting toe
much for Jack to bear, 80 the voice Of
Polly crying to him to hurry up was
music to his ears. "I'm coming" hs
shouted. "I'll see you in a few min
utes," he told Dick. "I've something
to tell you. I can't tell you now"
"Go in, then," answered Dick. "Fl
wait yonder in the garden. Don't keeI
me waiting any longer than you car
help"
Dick turned and walked slowly to
ward the gate which led to the kitch'
en- garden, a part Of every ranch home
In Arizona. 1t was cut of from the
house by a struggling hedge, on which
Echo had spent many hours trying to
keep 1t in shape.
Jack hesitated about going into the
house. Even II Echo married him he
knew that she would never forgive
him when she learned Of his bastard
" conduct from Dick Lanes own
mouth. 1t was better to sacrifice the
life Of one to save three lives from
being ruined.
Jack followed Lane up, partly draw
ing his gun. 1t would be 30 easy to
shoot him. No one would recognize
Dick Lane in that crippled figure
Jacks friends would believe him II he
told them the stranger had drawn on
him and he had to shoot him In self
defense.
Then the thought Of how dastardly
was the act Of shooting a man In the
back, and he his trusting friend. smots
him suddenly, and he replaced the pis'
tol in its holster. ut is worse than
the murder of old Man Terrill," he
muttered.
Dick walked on, entirely unconscious
of how close he had been to death
with his friend as his murderer.
So interested had the two men been
in their conversation that neither had
noticed Buck Mckee hiding behind the
hedge. listening to their talk and Gov
ering Jack Payson when he was fol-
lowing Dick with his hand on his re-
volver. Mckee heard Payson's ejac'
ulation and smiled grimly.
Jacks absence had aroused Jim AL
len, who hurried out on the porch
storming. "Say, Jack, what do you
mean by putin the brakes on this here
weddin'?'
"Jim-say, Jim, IL want you to dc
something for me" cried Jack rs he
rushed toward his future father.in
law. greatly excited.
"Sure." answered Allen heartily.
"Stand here at this door during the
ceremony and, no matter what hap
rens, don't let any one in."
But interrupted Allen.
Don't ask me to explain" blurtet
Jack. "Echo's happiness Is at stake. >
THAT settles it. I've not let any Ont
spile her happiness yet. an | wont Il
the few minutes that are left while In
still her main protector. Nobody get
IT,"
Remember, no one, no matter wh'
1t Is" emphasized Jack as he dartet
| into the house.
Jim Allen lighted his pipe. "Now
what's eatin' hin:" he muttered t.
himself; then. They're off, lie cried
looking through the window.
The Rev. Samuel Price began t.
drone the marriage service.
1t Is the little things Of life tina
count, after all. Men will work them
selves into hysteria over the buzzinl
of fly and yet plan battleship In
boiler shop. A city full Of people vii
at one time become panic stricken owe