Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-06-17
WIckwire.

the porch door, Marion, unnerved.
went directly to her room. Whisper
ing Smith stopped to speak to Dicksie
and McCloud interposed. Bob Scott
telephoned the office Just now he had
man from Qroville who wanted to
see you right away, Gordon" said he.
II told him to send him over here. It
is Wickwire."
'Wickvire," repeated Whispering
Smith. "Wickwire has no business
here that know Of; no doubt it is
something I ought to know CT. And,
by the way, you ought to see this
man." he said, turning again to Dick
sic. III McCloud tells the story right,
Wickwire Is sort OF protege OF yours,
Miss Dicksie, though neither Of you
seems to have known 1t. He 10 the
tramp cowboy who was smashed up in
the wreck at Smoky creek. He is not
bad man, but whisky, you know,
beats some decent men," A footstep
tell on the porch. There he comes
now, reckon. Shall / let him in a
minute?"
"Oh, should like to see him! He
has been at the ranch ut different
times, you know"
Smith opened the door and stepping
out on the porch talked with the new.
conner. In moment he brought him
IN. Dicksie had seated herself on the
sofa, McCloud stood in the doorway Of
the dining room, and Whispering.
Smith laid one arm on the table as he
sat down beside 1t with his face above
the dark shade OF the lamp. Before,
him stood Wickwire. The half-light
threw him up tall and dark. but it.
showed the heavy shock Of black hair
falling over his forehead, and the
broad. thin face Of mountain man.
He has Just been telling me that
Seagrue is loose" Whispering Smith
explained. pleasantly. who turned
the trick, Wickwire?"
Sheriff Coon and deputy jailer
started with Seagrue for Medicine
Bend this morning. Coming Though
Horse Eye canyon, Murray Sinclair and
Barney Rebstock got clean drop on
them, took seagfue. and they all rode
off together. They didn't make any
bones about it, either. Their gang
has got lots Of friends over there, you
know. They rode into Atlantic City
and stayed oyersan hour. Coon tracked
them there and got up posse Of six
men. The three WERE standing In
front of the banktwhen the sheriff
rode into town. Sinclair and Seagrue
I got on their ''horseCf1nd tstarted Of.
Rebstock went back to get another
drink. When he came out Of the ga
loon he gave the posse q gun-nght all
Tby himself. and wounded two men and
made his getaway"
Whispering Smith shook his head.
and his hand fell on, the table with
a tired laugh. "Barneyr.Rebstock," he
lmurmured, .of all men! Coward
skate. filler.in.i Barney Rebstock-
stale-beer man, sneak, barnyard thief!
Hit two men!" He turned to McCioud
What kind of wizard is Murray Sin
clair! What sort of red-blood toxin
does he throw into his gang to draw
out spirit like that? Murray Sim
clair belongs to the race of empire
builders. BY heavens, it is pitiful .
man like that should be out of Job!
England, McCloud, needs him. And
here he Is holding up trains on the
mountain division!"
They are all up at Oroville with
the Williams Cache gang, celebrating"
continued Wickwire.
Whispering Smith looked at the
cowboy. "Wickwire, you made good
ride and thank you. You are all
right. This is the young lady and
this is the man who had you sent to
the hospital from Smoky creek" he
added, rising. You can thank them
for picking you up. When you leave
here tell Bob Scott to meet me at the
Wickiup with the horses at IL o'clock.
Will your" He turned to Dicksie in .
gentle aside. II am riding north to-
night wish you were going part
way"
Dicksie looked at him intently. "You
are worried over something" she MUIR
INJURED: II can see 1t In your face"
Nothing more than usual. / thrive,
you know, on trouble-and I'm sorry
to say goodnight So early, but have
a long ride ahead" He stepped
quietly past McCloud and out of the
door.
Wickwire was thanking Dicksis
when unwillingiy she let Whispering
Smiths hand slip out OF her own. II
shore wouldn't have been here to-
night II you two hadn't picked me up"
laughed Wickwire. speaking softly 10
Ddeksie when she turned to him. i've
knowed my friends q long time, but
reckon they all didn't know me-"
I've known you longer than you
think" returned Dtcksie with smile.
i've seen you at the ranchhouse. But
now that We really do know each
other. please remember you are A.
Ways sure Of home at the ranch
whenever you want one, Mr.. Wick
wire. and Just as long AZ you want
one. We never forget our friends on
the Crawling Stone"
1T may make SO bold. thank you
kindly. And II you all will let me run
away now, want to catch Mr.. Whis-
lpsring Smith for just one minute"
Wickwire overlook Smith in Fort
street. Talk quick. Wickwire." he
said; I'm In hurry. What do you
twAnt7
Partner. rye always played fair
with you
so far .s know. wickwirs. !. yss.
Why"
i've got . favor 70. ask"