Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-06-01


EASY. now-easy," he drawled
There amt a-goin' to be nothin' doin'
here 'cept law an justice"
Buck laughed sneeringly at the
wavering Of his men. He would have
to do something to put more heart
into them and regain the ground he
had lost by bis single handed conduct
Of the case.
"There hain't, eh?" he asked con
temptuously. well, it's lucky
brought some Nv my own outfit with
me-"
"Mcbbe you'll need them If you get
too careless with your talk" answered
the unruillcd sheriff.
Turning to Jack, Slim said, This
fool thing can be settled with one
word from you"
The young ranchman listened to the
sheriff earnestly. He wished to clear
himself forever Of all suspicious. lie
did not want Echo ever to hear that
there was a false impression abroad
that she was the wife of slayer.
What is it, he asked simply.
"Why, you paid off mortgage of
an even three thousan' dollars last
week, didn't you:'
"Yes What has that to do with
it," he asked.
Buck broke In at this point Here
was the strongest card that he had in
his hand, and the sheriff had played
1t to McKee's advantage.
Plenty Buck shouted. "Old Ter
rill wuz shot an killed an robbed,
an the man who did it got just three
thousan' dollars"
"An' you mean to say that the boss
here began Sagebrush. in lis anger
making q rush ut Mckee. He was
held back, but the disturbance attract
ed Echo and Mrs. Allen from the
kitchen. Echo hurried to her hus-
bands side He slipped his arm about
her waist, and together they faced his
accuser.
"All you got to say is whar did you
get that money! cried Buck, who had
seen Dick Lane pay 1t to Payson and
conjectured that Payson did not dare
to reveal the fact Of this payment.
with all the disclosure 1t implied.
"Why, It was paid to me by Then
Jack stopped. He could not tell who
gave him the money without revealing
to Echo the return Of Dick. The whole
miserable lie would then come out
Echo noticed Jacks hesitancy.
What is It? What's the matter"
she asked In frightened tones.
Nothing. nothing" he answered j
lightly to lessen her terror.
Hats off, everybody" commanG i
Slim In Difference to the presence Of
Echo.
"Who are these men? What's
wrongf" pleaded Echo.
Buck bowed to the trembling wo-
man, who had thrown her arms about
her husbands neck.
~
want to know whar yer husband io'
the money to pay off the mortgage Oh
this ranch"
The request seemed very simple
one to Echo. All the talk Of harminG
Jack. the high words, the threats,
could be silenced easily by her hero.
Smiling into his eyes, Echo said Tell
them. Jack"
II can't" he faltcrcd.
1T was paid to him by Il friend"
bravely began Echo-"a friend TO
whom he lent It some time ago"
Buck interrupted her explanation.
"Then let him tell his friends name
an whar we can find him" Tarning
to Jack, he bullied: Come on. what's
his name"
Jack closed his eyes to shut out the
sight Of his wife. In his anpny he
clnched his fists until his nails sank
into the flesh. II can't tell you that"
he cried In his misery.
"Of course he can't" sneered Buck.
smiling evilly IN his triumph.
He can't account fer himself OH the
night Nv the weddln'; he rides ii pacin
horse-rode on that night: lie gets
three ,housan' dollars paid him. an
he can't tell who paid II. What's the
verdictT" Buck did not wait for an
answer. Raising his voice, he shouted,
Guilty"
"Jack, Jack. What have you to
sayT begged Echo.
Nothing" was his only answer.
"rell him he lies!" cried Sagcbrush.
Jack, we all know you. You're as
white man as ever lived. an they
amt one Of this outfit that amt ready
10 die fer you right now
"You betw chOrused his men.
"He hail't goln' to get off like that"
declared Suck. Looking confidently at
his own followers. he said. The Lazy
X can take care wv him."
Bucks men movcd closer TO him,
preparing TO draw their guns II need
be and open fire on Jacks defenders.
Look out boss" warned Sagebrush
at the hostile movement OF Buck and
his punchers
Hold on drawled the sheriff. who
as the danger grew more real became
more deliberate I'm his movements.
"They ain't goin' to be nothin' done
here unless it's done In the law. You
all know me. boys. I'm the sheriff.
This mans my prisoner" Pointing to
Jack. he added, "There amt nobody
goin' to take him from mean live"
Buck saw Jack slipping from his
clutches. "Yer not goin' to be bluffed
by one man, are you, bOys"
"No," his punchers answered in uni
son. crowding toward JACK, who held
up his hand and cried: stop! | want
a fair deal, and I'll get It,"
"I'll settle this thing all right. All /
ask is few words alone with my
WIFE"
Jack clasped Echo to his breast as
he begged this boon from the men
who sought his life.
"Now clustered Buck.
EYES," ordered Slim quietly, but en-
phatically. "Mr. Payson, you'll give
me your word you won't try to es-
cape"
"Yes," agreed Jack.
Ellis word don't go with u.s." shout.
ed Buck.
Slim laid his hand on the butt Of
his revolver, ready to draw II neces-
sary to enforce his command. Buck