The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-09-24

NO." persisted the woman. "See,
the storm comes straight from the
north. Our way is due south: we've
only to keep 1t at our backs"
"All right" said the boy cheerily.
He turned and stared out of the win
dow. you've no idea how terrible it
Is, though"
II don't care"
Get ready, then"
I'm ready" she replied. "See!"
She lifted the skirt of her dress and
showed him pair of horseman's
boots with a pair of her husbands
trousers tucked tightly in them. Its
a good thing he has small foot" she
sneered.
Curse him!" said the boy. I'D
like to settle with him before we CO."
You'll settle with him enough"
said the woman cynically, when you
take me away from him."
She turned and took down from
one of the pegs heavy fur overcoat.
The boy assisted her to put it on.
From q holster hanging on the wall
she drew small silver-mounted 80.
calibered revolver.
I'm ready" she said again.
Let us start, then" cried the boy,
stepping forward.
On the instant a whirl of wind dis
closed to them that the door had sud
denly opened. They turned to face
drunken, Infatuated, leering figure.
He had on short, thick fur jacket,
which left his hips completely un.
covered. A heavy revolver had dan
gled in his holster. He dragged it
out as he spoke and trained it on the
boy.
You're going for a longer journey
than you planned!" he painted thickly,
as he strove to steady the weapon and
cover the other.
The boy was fumbling at the rasten-
ings of his coat. His own revolver
was not get-at-able instantly, as it
should have been and would have
been had he been native to the
west.
Rumble at 'em, you fool!" cried
the man. Before you get 'em open,
I'll shoot you dead. don't do it now,
cause want you to taste death and
hell as long as possible before you
go into 'em. You thought you'd make
a fool out of me, did you, and you,
too, you"
He flung frightful, mordant word
at his wife which stung not less be-
cause it was in large measure unde-
served, at least so far as the boy was
concerned.
III settle with you when I get
through with him. Your times up!"
he continued, as the boy at last sue
ceeded in reaching his weapon.
He was game, that boy, although his
face under its blood was winter than
it had been when he entered the
cabin, while the other mans, similarly
snow wounded, was red with rage;
and, though he was covered and even
drunken man could scarcely miss at
such range, he nevertheless drew his
own weapon. But before he could
raise it there was a sudden movement
back of him. The man in the door.
way turned sharply.
What" he cried to his wife. "You
would, you"
At that instant the boy was con.
scious of sudden flash of light and a
sharp defamation. The room was
filled with noise, a little cloud of
smoke blew down on him. Standing with
his own pistol butt clasped tight in his
hand, he saw the man in the doorway
reel. The arm that held his weapon
dropped to his side. With convul-
sive movement he pulled the trigger
The bullet buried itself in the floor,
while the man sank down on his
knees, swayed a moment, frightful
look in his eyes. and then pitched for.
ward on his face and lay STILL
! Good God!" whispered the boy
turning to his companion. you've shot
him!"
He stared at the woman. who still
clasped the little silver-mounted
weapon she had used with such ter
rible effect.
! 1T was his life, or your life or
mine," was the answer. II did it for
| JSN, oAS oAAu NuiShAyS oCCIu6 d
of horror and repulsion spreading over
the face Of her companion.
"Yes-yes! know" he replied;
but"
Come, we must got out of here
Immediately"
"Of course Of course" whispered
the boy nervously. I'VE can't stay here
now
Drag him into the room and shut
the door,"
i The lad hesitated.
Are you afraid" sneered the
woman, making as if to do so herself.
Certainly not" was the answer:
but the boy nevertheless was afraid
afraid of death, with more fear than
he had ever felt for any one living
Yet something had to be done and at
once.
! Forcing himself to the task at last,
! he stopped down, seized the man by
the shoulders, turned him over on his
face, and dragged him farther into the
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