Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-10-08
CHAPTER X.
At the Three Horses.

Sunday morning. He sat opposite Nc.
Cloud IN Bucks old easy chair and
held In his hand Bucks telegram. As
he spoke he raised his eyebrows and
settled back, but the unusual depth OF
the chair and the shortness of his legs
left his chin helpless in his black tie,
so that he was really no better of ex.
cept that he had changed one position
Of discomfort for another.
A clerk opened the outer office door.
Mr.. Dancing asks IL he can see you,
Mr.. McCloud."
Tell him / am busy"
Bill Dancing, close on the clerks
heels, spoke for himself. Il know it,
Mr.. McCloud, ! know It'll" he inter.
posed, urgently, but let me speak to
you just a moment" Hat in hand, Bill,
because no one would knock him down
to keep him out, pushed into the room.
I've got a plan," he urged, in re-
CARDS to getting these hold-ups."
How are you, Bill?" exclaimed the
man in the easy chair, jumping hastily
to his feet and shaking Dancing's
hand. Then quite as hastily he sat
down, crossed his knees violently,
stared at the giant lineman, and ex.
claimed: Lets have it,"
Dancing looked at him in silence
and with some contempt. The train
master had broken in on the superin-
tendent for a moment and the two
were comforting in an undertone.
What might your name be, mister?"
growled Dancing, addressing with
some condescension the man in the
easy chair.
The man waved his hand as il 1t
were immaterial and answered with
a single word: "Forgotten!"
"How's that?"
"Forgotten!"
Dancing looked from one man to
the other, but McCloud appeared pre-
occupied and his visitor seemed Who'll.
ly serious. 81 don't want to take too
much on myself" Bill began, speak.
ing to McCloud.
You look as il you could carry a
fair-sized load, William, provided it
bore the right label" suggested the
visitor, entirely amiable.
But nobody has felt worse over
this thing and recent things"
Recent things" echoed the easy
chair.
Happening to the division than I
have. Now know there's been trou-
BILE on the division"
Il think you are putting 1t too strong
there, Bill, but let 1t pass"
there's been differences; misun.
derstandiDgs and differences. So l
says to myself maybe something might
be done to get everybody together and
bury the differences, like this: Muir.
ray Sinclair is in town; he feels bad
over this thing, like any railroad man
would. He's a mountain man, quick
as the quickest with gun, a good
trailer, rides like flend, and can
catch a streak Of sunshine travelling
on a pass. Why not put him at the
head Of a party to run 'em down."
Run EN- down." nodded the
stranger.
Differences such as be or may be-"
MAY be-"
Being discussed when he brings
EN- in dead or alive, and not before.
That's what said to Murray Sinclair,
and Murray Sinclair is ready for to
take hold this minute and do what he
can II he's asked. l told him plain
could promise no promises; that, l
says, lays with George McCloud. Was
right, was l wrong? If was wrong,
right me; if l was right, say so. All
want is harmony"
The new man nodded approval.
Bully, Bill" he exclaimed, heartily.
Mister" protested the lineman.
with simple dignity, I'D Just a little
rather you wouldn't bully me nor Bill
me-"
All in good part, Bill, as you shall
see; all In good part. Now before Mr.
McCloud gives you his decision l want
to be allowed q, word. Your idea looks
good to me. At first l may say it
didn't am candid; l say 1t didn't
1t looked like setting a dog to catch
his own tail. Mind you, l don't say
1t can't be done. A dog can catch his
own tail; they do do it." proclaimed
the stranger in a low and emphatic
undertone. But" he added, moderat.
ing his utterance, when they sue.
ceed-who gets anything out of II but
the dog% Bill Dancing, somewhat
clouded and not deeming It well to be
drawn into any damaging admissions,
looked around for cigar. and not see
Ing one. looked solemnly at the new