Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-03-26

u1u uO& WANT GSllO ever " ueuT tuut
there was u false impression abroad
that she was the wife Of u slayer
what is it?" he asked simply.
why, you paid Off u mortgage of
an even three thousan' dollars last
week, didn't you?''
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
it to McKee's advantage.
PLENTY" Buck shouted. "Old Ter
rill wuz shot an killed an robbed,
an the man who did 1t got just three
thousan' dollars"
can you mean to say that the boss
mere began Sagebrush. In his anger
making rush at 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, 1t 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 cut
Echo noticed jacks hesitancy.
What Is 1t? Whats the matter p
she asked In frightened tones.
Nothing, nothing" he answered
| lightly to lessen her terror.
"Hats off, everybody commanded
Slim in Difference to the presence Of
Echo. -
"Who are these men? What's
wrong" pleaded Echo.
Buck bowed to the trembling wo-
man, who had thrown her arms about
her husbands neck
/ "Nothin'." he exclaimed. ''only we
want to know whar yer husband got
the money to pay of the mortgage on
this ranch"
The request seemed very simple
one to Echo. All the talk Of harming
Jack. the high words. the threats.
could be siienced easily by her hero.
Smiling into his eyes, Echo said, "Tell
them, Jack"
II can't" he faltered. Il
ut was paid to him by a. friend, !"
bravely began. Echo-'a friend to
whom he lent 1t some time ago"
Buck interrupted her explanation.
'Then let Him tell his friends name
an whar we can find him. Turning
to Jack, he bullied: Come on! What's
his name?" 5.
Jack closed his eyes to shut out the
sight Of his wife. In his agony he
clinched 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 ON the
night Nv the weddin'; he rides pacin'
horse-rode on that night; he gets
three thousan' dollars. paid him, an
he can't tell who paid it. What's the
verdictY Buck did not wait for an
answer. Raising his voice, he shouted,
Guilty."
Jack. Jack! What have you to
say" begged Echo.
Nothing" was his only answer.
Tell him he liesr' cried Sagebrush.
"Jack. We all know you. You're as
white man as ever lived, an they
amt one Of this outfit that amt ready
to die fer you right now"
"You bet!" chorused his men.
"He hai1ltsgoin' to get of like that
declared Buck Looking confidently at
his own followers. he said, 1.-THE Lazy
K can take care Nv him."
Bucks men moved closer to him,
preparing to draw their guns II need
be and open fire on Jacks defenders.
"Look out; boss!" warned Sagebrusll
at the hostile movement of Buck and
his punchers.
Hold onl' drawled the sheriff, who
as the danger grew more real became
more deliberate in his movements.
'They amt 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 in Z. slipping from his
clutches. yer Q goin' to be blufred
by one man. are .ou. boysT''
"No," hisspunchers answered in uni
son, crowdlng toward Jack. who held
up his hand and cried: stop! I want
q fair deal, and I'll get it,
"I'll settle this thing all right. All
ask is a few words alone with my
wife,"
Jack clasped Echo to his breast al
he begged %this boon from the mer
who sought ibis life.
mop bluatered Buck.
"Yes," ordered Slim quietly, but en-
phatically. "Mr. Payson, you'll give
me your word you won't try to es
cape?
YES" agreed Jack.
"His 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. Bucl
saw the movement and shouted Il
him: Keep yer hand away from tina
gun, sheriff You know am quick OF
the draw" He significantly fingered
his holstersas he spoke
$50 I've heard tell" agreed Slim
hastily withdrawing his hand from his
revolver.
Slim appeared to agree to the sur
render of Jack to Buck and his punch