Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-08-05

pect him In Denver by the end OF the
week. But this letter was not mailed.
! AS Mcfarland approached the postot-
flee, which stood across the road from
Fallon's, jennings, whose cot COM
manded view of the thoroughfare,
caught sight of his physician. and. In
delirium, seized his pistol and. more
by accident than skill, shot Mcfarland
! through the leg. The sound OF the
shot brought Fallon and the loafers at
the bar TO the door. They picked the
wounded man up and carried him into
jennings room. There they laid him
upon cot beside that of the sick min
er. and dressed his wound.
Good shot-for loony man, eh,
Doc?" laughed one.
Clipped neat little hole right
through the calf" joked another.
Never broke thing observed Fal-
lon. You'll be fit to travel on
crutches in a couple of days"
I'll get good and square with Jen-
nings for this" declared Mcfarland in
passion.
At which the assembly laughed, and
Jennings, who had recovered his wits,
grinned and said: I'm the mean time,
havin' collected your tools for you, I'd
be obliged fer jab of dope
All right, you idiot" retorted Nc
Farland; doctor yourself to death. for
all care. Give me that blue bottle
and the needle, Fallon.'
The Irishman dug them out of the
case and examined them critically.
Look here, Doc, will this dope kill
him." he asked.
NO; but that's not the way to treat
typhoid Besides, | don't think he's
got half the pain he says he has. 1t
don't go with the disease. / believe
he likes the effect"
1t was decided, however, that since
they were assured that the hypoder-
mic injections, given in moderation.
would not kill the patient, he should
have them whenever the pain became
intense.
In five days Jennings was dead; and
on the day after his demise vigilance
committee, composed of friends of the
late mine foreman, waited upon DR..
Bruce Mcfarland. 1t was very clear
to the committee that he had hypoder-
mically poisoned Jennings, in revenge
for that shot through the leg. Had
they not heard him declare that he
would get even?
About mile from the camp, and a
hundred yards from the trail, stood a
great blasted oak, pointing a solitary
bare limb southwark In the distance
this tree looked like one-armed
scarecrow. The vigilance committee
found the spot to it's liking. They
placed Mcfarland under the gaunt
limb, threw a moose over 1t, and fast
ened it about his neck.
If you've got anything to say, say
1t quick" enjoined Davis, chairman of
the committee. Its noon, an your
times up"
Mcfarland moistened his dry lips
with his tongue, and began: Il know
there's nothing that | can say which
will convince you of my innocence;
but could prove it If you'd give me
chance. | propose to give myself
|
Jennings. What do you say?"
Without waiting to hear the commit
tees decision, Fallon started back to
the camp on run. In the mean time
there was heated discussion of Nc
Farland's proposition, but the majority
voted against its acceptance.
We've come to the conclusion an
nounced Davis, that this proposition
of yours is square enough, only we
think that you'd durn sight rather
die with the dope than accordin' to
regulations. And, not to be short with
you. I'd remark that we opine as hang
in is jist about good enough for you"
AS Davis fastened a handkerchief
about McFarlands eyes, the rattle of
wheels and the drum of hoofs, coming
from the direction of camp, startled
the committee for a moment. They
concluded, however, that it must be
Fallon, who, in haste to return, had
doubtless pressed mule team into
service. In this surmise they were
did not come alone. Beside him sat a
! DAINTY little WOman-Sucn one as
had never before invaded the district
of Bonded Spur-clinging tightly to
his driving-arm. AS the team swung
Gathering from the trail, she jumped
from the wagon and ran toward the
committee.
NO fool gal amt goin to butt into
this ceremony" remarked Davis, adj
vancing TO meet her
Fallon, with the surgical case in his
hand, pushed his way through the
group. The girl looked up at his APP
pearance and said timorously: Tell
them!"
This is McFarland's wife," he an
nounced The men looked from one
to the other grimly. She came up
in the stage. She was waitin' in his
shack for him when | broke in for the
dope IL told her"
Davis touched the girls shoulder.
ITS tough, little girl" he muttered,
"but-ah, Fallon, take her away