Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-04-20
graduates.

At the end of the year she came
back home to await Dicks return from
the wilds Of Mexico. There was great
anxiety about his safety. for Geroni-
MO. attacked by Crook In the Apache
stronghold Of the Tonto basin, had es-
eaped to the mountains of northwest
ern Mexico with his band Of fierce Chi
ricahuas.
Now. Dick Lane had not been heard
from in this region. When he neither
made appearance nor sent message
upon the day appointed for his return.
his brother. Bud. was for setting out
instantly to find him and rescue him
II he were in difficulties.
Then It was that Echo Allen discov-
cred the true nature Of her affection
for her lovcr-that 1t was sisterly re-
gard. differing only in degree, but not
In kind. from that which she felt for
bis brother. She joined with Polly In
opposing Buds going. urging his reck-
lessness as reason. "You are certain
to be killed." she said, "and I cannot
lose you both" Jack Payson. for
whom Bud was working, then came
forward and offered to accompany him
and keep within bounds. Again there
was revelation Of her heart to Echo,
one that terrified her with sense
Of disloyalty. 1t was Jack she really
loved, noble, chivalric. wonderful Jack
Payson, whom, with a southern girls
intensity Of feeling. she had uncon-
sciously come to regard as her stand
ard Of all that makes for manhood.
Plausible objections could not be
urged against his sacrificing himself
for his friend. With an irresistible
impulse she cast herself upon bis
breast and said, 81 cannot bear to see
you CO."
Payson gently disengaged her arms.
"I must, Echo. II is what Dick
would do for me If ! were In his
place"
However. while Payson and Bud
were preparing for their departure
Buck Mckee apeared in the region and
reported that Dick Lane had been
killed by the Apaches. he told with
convincing details how he had met
Lane as each was returning from a
successful prospecting trip In the
Ghost range and how they had sunk
their differences In standing together
against an attack of the Indians. He
extolled Dicks bravery. relating how
severely wounded. he had stood on the
savages to enable himself to escape.
When he handed over Dicks watch
to Echo-for he had learned on bis re-
turn that she was betrothed to Lane
as a last token from her lover, no
doubt remained In the minds Of bis
bearers Of the truth Of his story. and
Payson and Bud Lane gave up their
purposed expedition.
The owner of Sweetwater ranch,
while accepting McKee's account,
could not wholly forget the haA
breeds former evil reputation and was
reserved In his reception Of the ad'
vances of the ex-rustler, who was anx-
ious to curry favor. Warm hearted
impulsivs Bud, however, whose fra
ternal loyalty had increased under bis
bereavement to the supreme passion
of life, took the inslnuating half breed
into the aching vacancy made by bis
brothers death The two became boon
companions. to the great detriment OF
the younger mans morals. Mckee
had plenty Of money, which be spent
literally, gambling and carousing IL
company with Bud. Polly was WILD
with indignation at her sweethearti
desertion and savagely upbraided hin
for his conduct whenever they met
which, rs may be inferred. grew lest
and less frequently. In revenge sh'
made advances to another man wht
had long '1oved her from afar."
This was William Henry Harrison
Hoover, sheriff Of the county. knowI
as "Slim" Hoover by the humorous
propensity Of men on the range to giv'
nicknames on the principle of contra
ries, for he was the fattest man II
Pinal county. Slim was one Of thos'