Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-02-16

with hole In it. but It 8 stiff a mighty
good target"
/ snatched a look at him. He was
evidently under the influence of liquor
I felt sure that if didn't let him shoot
at my pipe he would shoot at me and
nerved myself to stand another shot
Indeed, this was all could do, for
was unarmed. But a cold chill ran
down my back and a cold sweat stood
out all over me. Nevertheless | put
up a pretty good front. sat with
comparative composure, occasionally
letting faint cloud of tobacco smoke
escape from between my lips. but not
daring to move hairbreadth for fear
Of interfering with the mans aim.
! Several persons from inside the hotel,
| having heard shot. came out to dis
cover who had been killed. They ar
rived just in time to see the second
shot and the top of the bowl of my
! pipe cut off. They at once took in the
| situation. and. seeing me coolly puff
ing, not knowing my internal condi-
ton, they cried out. Good pluck. stran-
gerv' STEADY nerve!" "He amt no
tenderfoot!" and such like compli-
| ments.
Presently a third shot shattered what
was left Of the bowl of my pipe. and
only the stem remained in my mouth.
Whether my nerve made Barker half
ashamed Of himself or that he was
headed off by the admiration Of the
others don't know. but he desisted
from further shooting. fancy. how
ever, ne was satisfied with what he
had doubtless intended for warning
that if took Daisy Nolan away from
MIN would have to face sure death
The Witnesses urged me to go in and
have something, but declined. saying
that l was anxious for a smoke anG
! would go upstairs for another pipe
The truth is | wanted a chance to &C
where | could, unObserved give way
; to my feelings for few moments
! they having been controlled only BY
a most desperate effort.
When WAS alone staggered to the
: bed, fell Oh it and for a few minutes
tremDled like Il leaf. But when | be-
gan to recover | started to get mad al
; the same time. Men will fight more
| desperately for woman than for any
: other cause, and it occurred to me
! that. Daisy being the bone of conten
! ton, it she preferred me either Barker
or / must die. spent some time con
slderlng what to do. then went to the
ranch. intending to offer myself tC
Daisy. If she refused me | would
leave the field at once to all suitors
If she accepted me l would have i,
out with Barker.
l found Miss Daisy very much ex.
cited. She had heard Of Bankers
shooting escapade and had turned bit
terly against him. l told her that
wanted her and if she wanted me
l was willing to settle the matter be-
tween Barker and myself. Her reply
was all | could have asked for, but
she positively forbade my coming int
collision with my rival. told he,
frankly that l believed he would xii
me if married her and that the mat
ter had better be settled before the
wedding. Being woman, she wished
to get round the matter by subterfuge
and for the time being would consen,
to nothing definite.
Daisy was very fond Of an old ranch
er called Jake Huchins. To her he
was "Uncle jake" A day or two after
| Barker's shooting as was riding over
the country on horseback Huchins
came up behind me and ambled along
side of me-
! II hearn about the shootin' O. you,
pipe onten yer MOUTH be said. Lit
tie Daisy was telling me about it."
"Oh, it was Miss Nolan who tolt
you, was it?'
| Eyes. And. what's more. she asked
me to suggest some way O. settlin' thu
matter without blood spillin'"
"That's impossible" said l.
$50 l thort at fust, but arter awhile
I thort of plan. Bankers might,
proud O. his shootin', and he's prett,
much made up his mind that he's los
Daisy. | reckon he'd agree to SETTLE
the matter by trial O. skill between
him and you. He'd consider it hi!
only chance"
"I'm no shot. Such a contest would
give Miss Daisy to him. and sht
! doesn't want him.
''Not so fast. You don't need to b.
much O. shot. Co6ld you hit a hen!
egg at twenty feet?"
II might in two or three Shots"
"Well, give Daisy my plan. ant
she's decided to try it. Here's not'
for you, and here's note for Barker
Whichever hits a hens egg with :
forty-two the most outen FIVE shots
she'll marry