Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1909-04-21

INJURED Polly as Bud disappeared to-
ward the corral.
Polly's musing was interrupted by
the return Of Buck Mckee.
els Bud Lane over here?" he asked.
"You must have passed him just now.
He's just got in from night herdin'."
81 thought 1 seed him comm this
way. When's the weddin' bells goin
to ring?"
Polly flushed "Next month. Then
you'll lose Buds company fer good"
she answered defiantly.
"Well, l hain't been dom him much
good" Buck assented. "I'm goin' back
home, though"
Polly gazed at Buck in surprise.
Here was a new view Of the man,
one she had never considered. 1t was
strange to hear this outlaw and bad
man talk of home. The repetition Of
the word home by Polly led him to
continue:
"Yep, up to the strip, where I wuz
horned at. This here climates a lee.
tie too dry to suit me. I'm goin' to
get a leetle ranch an leetle gal an
settle down fer sure"
81 wish you may" said Polly heart
lily. "YOu sure acted mighty fine about
that Peruna insultin' Mrs. Payson."
Buck sat down on the step of the
wagon. He hesitated for a moment
and then asked, "Say, did you ever
have premonition?
"Nope! The worst I ever had was
the hookin' cough"
Buck smiled, but did not explain to
Polly the meaning of the word.
"Well, this premonition," he contin-
ued, "hits me hard, an that's what
makes me start fer home. Thought
I'd like to say goodby to you an Bud.
1 go north with the big drive in the
mornin' an won't see you agin."
'Well, good luck an goodby to you"
Polly held out her hand in her most
friendly fashion.
Buck arose and took off his hat AS
he stepped toward her he cried: "Same
to you. Goodby." Grasping her by
the hand, he added warmly, can
happiness"
"Pll tell Bud you're here" cried
Polly over her shoulder.
Buck looked after the girl as she
swung across the prairie to find Bud
"She's a darned fine leetle GAL"
unused Buck. "Seein' Bud so happy
kinder makes me homesick. Things
is gettin' too warm fer me here, any
way. If Payson gifts back he'll be able
to clear himself about that Terrill bust
ness, an things is likely to pint pretty
straight at me an Bud. I'm sorry
dragged Bud into that. l could have
done it alone jes' as we'll an KEEP all
the money"
Mckee sat down to wait for Bud.
His mind was filed with pleasant
thoughts. Having assumed a chiv-
alrous role in the Peruna incident, he
was tasting something of the sweet
sensations and experiences that fol-
low sincerely generous action.
His enjoyment in contemplating his
own virtues was overcrowded, how
ever, by vague presentiment of i'm
pending danger, the "premonition'' he
had spoken of to Polly, a word~he had
picked up from fortune tellers, whom
he often consulted, being very super
stitiOus, as are most gamblers.
And Nemesis in the person of Peru
ma was indeed approaching The out
| law crept out of the draw behind the
cOntemplatfve half breed and, leaping
| upon his back, plunged his knife in Nc
KEGS neck with fierce thrust, into
which he concentrated all his hatred
for the humiliation he had endured.
With stified cry Buck struggled to
his feet to face his assailant, drawing
his gun instinctively. The knife had
bitten too deeply, however. With a
groan he fell. Weakly he tried to level
his gun, his finger twitching convul-
sively at the trigger. Peruna waited
to see If he had strength enough to
fire. A sneering smile added to the
evil appearance of his face. Seeing
Buck helpless, he snatched the gun
from his hand. Then he turned his
! victim over so he could reach the
pocket of his waistcoat With the
blood stained knife he ripped open the
cloth and extracted a roll of paper and
) money. Peruna was kneeling beside
the body of his former friend when a
voice drawled:
drop that knifev'
Peruna jumped up, with grunt of
dismay, to see Slim Hoover sitting on
horseback, with his revolver held up
right, ready for use.
Peruna hesitated "Drop it," ordered
Slim sharply, slightly lowering the gun.
Peruna tossed away the knife, with a
snarl.
III take care of your friends bun
Gle an the papers an money you
took from his pocket. Drop them! /
didn't figure on gettin' back TO busi-
ness as soon as | got home. but YOU
never can tell, can your
The last remark was addressed to
his deputy, Timber Virgins, who had
Joined him.
This here's Timber Virgins, dep
city sheriff of Pinal county" explained
|