Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-19

and turned her head. You need fear
nothing for yourself in going with her.
and nothing for her II you can cover,
just those two points-can you 70
member? Not to let her 90 away with
him on horseback, and not to leave
her where she will be alone with him
in the house?"
II can and will. I think as much
of Marion as you do. ! am proud to
be able to do something for you. How
little l have known you! l thought
you were everything / didn't want to
know"
IT'S nothing" he returned, easily,
except that Sinclair has stirred up
your cousin and the ranchers as well [
as the Williams Cache gang, and that,
makes talk about me. | have to do
what | can to make this a peaceable
country to live in. The railroad wants
decent people here and doesn't want
the other kind. and 1t falls on me, un-
fortunately, to keep the other kind
moving. ] don't like 1t, but we can
none Of US do quite what we please in =
making a living. Let me tell you this"
he turned to fix his eyes seriously
on hers: Believe anything you hear
OF me except that have ever taken
human life willingly or save in die g
charge Of my duty. But this kind Of
work makes my own life an uncertain
ty, as you can see. do almost liter.
ally carry my life In my hand, for n
my hand is not quicker every time
than a mans eye, am done for thes D
and there"
1T is dreadful to think Of"
Not exactly that, but It ID some.
thing can't afford to forget"
What would become Of the liyss
of the friends you protect II you we're
killed%
you say you care for Marion Sin
clair. / should like to think II any.
thing should happen to me VOC
wouldn't forget herr" o.
Il never will" q
He smiled. Then l put her In
charge Of the man closest to me,
George McCloud, and the woman she
thinks the most Of in the world-ex.
cept her mother. What Is this, are
they back? Yonder they come"
I'VE found nothing serious" No
Cloud said, answering their questions
as he approached with Lance Dunning.
The current is really swinging away.
but the bank is caving in where II
was undermined last night" He
stopped before Dicksie. II am trying
to get your cousin to go to the house
and 90 to bed. | am going to stay
all night but there is no necessity
for his staying"
Damn 1t, McCloud, It's not right
protested Lance, taking of his hat
and wiping his forehead. you need
the sleep more than / do. l say he 10
the one to go to bed tonight" con-
tinued Lance, putting 1t up to Wits
pering Smith. "And l insist, by the
Almighty, that you two take him back
to the house with you now!" y
Whispering Smith raised his hand.
III this is merely a family quarrel
about who shall go to bed, let US com.
promise. You two stay up all night
and let me go to bed"
Lance, however, was obdurate.
1T seems to be a family character.
istic Of the Cummings to have their
own way" ventured McCloud, after
some further dispute. IF you will
have 1t so, Mr.. Dunning, you may
stand watch tonight and l will 20 to
the house."
Riding back with McCloud, Dicksis
and Whispering Smith discussed the
food. McCloud disclaimed credit for
the improvement in the situation. III
the current had held against US a. Il
did yesterday, nothing / could have
done would have turned IT," he said.
Honesty is the best policy, OF
course" observed Whispering Smith
Il like to see modest man-and you
want to remind him Of all this when .
he sends in his BILL" he suggested.
speaking to Dicksie in the dark. But"
he added, turning to McCloud, admit,
ting that you are right, don't take the
trouble to advertise your view Of Il
around here. 1t would be only decent
strategy for us in the valley Just now
to take little Of the credit due to the
wind"