Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1910-01-07

-AuACu, VI III MCh. OoNeEuS
skate, filler-inl Barney Rebstock-
stale-beer man, sneak, bsrnyArd thief!
Hit two men," He turned to McCloud.
What kind Of a wizard is Murray Sin
clair? What sort Of red-blood toxin
does he throw into his gang to draw
out a spirit like that? Murray Sim
clair belongs to the race Of empire
builders. BY heavens. it is pitiful q
man like that should be out of job
England, McCloud, needs him. And
here he is holding up trains on the
mountain division!"
They are all up at Oroville with
the Williams Cache gang, celebrating"
continued Wickwire.
Whispering Smith looked at the
cowboy. "Wickwire, you made a good
ride and l thank you. You are all
right This is the young lady and
this is the man who had you sent to
the hospital from Smoky creek" he
added, rising. you can thank them
for picking you up. When you leave
here tell Bob Scott to meet me at the
Wickiup with the horses at II o'clock,
will you?" He turned to Dicksie in q
gentle aside. Il am riding north TO-
night wish you were going part
way"
Dicksie looked at him intently. you
are worried over something" she muir
INJURED; Il can see it in your face"
Nothing more than usual. l thrive
you know, on trouble-and I'm sorry
to say goodnight so early, but have
q long ride ahead" He stepped
quietly past McCloud and out Of the
door.
Wickwire was thanking DicksiC
when unwillingly she let Whispering
Smiths hand slip out Of her own. %
shore wouldn't have been here to
night II you two hadn't picked me up
laughed Wickwire, speaking softly t.
Dicksie when she turned to him. I've
knowed my friends a long time, but
reckon they all didn't know me-"
1--WE known you longer than yoU
think" returned Dicksie with a smile
I've seen you at the ranchhouse. Blu
now that we really do know eacl
other, please remember you are al
ways sure Of home at the ranch
whenever you want one, Mr.. Wick
wire, and just as long as you wan
one. We never forget our friends OF
the Crawling Stone"
IF may make so bold, | thank yol
kindly. And If you all will let me rul
away now, l want to catch Mr.. Wits
pering Smith for just one minute"
Wickwire overlook Smith in For
street. Talk quick, Wickwire," h
said; I'm in a hurry. What do yol
want?"
Partner, I've always played fai
with you"
so far as 1 know, Wickwire, yes
Why"
I've got favor TO ask"
What is it-money?"
NO, partner, not money this time
You've always been more than liberia
with me. But so far I've had to kee
under cover; you asked me to.
want to ask the privilege now of con
ing out into the open. The jig is u
so far as watching anybody goes"
yes"
There's nobody to watch any NOR
they're all to chase, l reckon, now
The open is my kind of a fight, any
way. | want to ride out this man-hun
with you"
How is your arm?"
my arm is all right, and Their
, ought to be a place for me in tn
chase now that Ed Banks is out of Il
want to cut loose up on the range
anyhow; if I'm man want to knov
it, and If l amt want to know it.
want to ride with you after Seagru
and Sinclair and Barney Rebstock."
Whispering Smith spoke coldly
You mean, Wickwire, you want to &c
killed"
Why, partner, II it's coming to me
don't mind-yes."
What's the use, Wickwire?"
IF I'm nan l want to know 1t;
amt, it's time my friends knoyed Il
Anyhow, I'm man enough to work gu
with some of that gang. Most of the1
have put 1t over me one time or al
other: Sinclair pasted me like a hlacl
bird only the other day. They all sa
I'm nothing but damnel tramp. 70
say have done you service-give m
a show"
Whispering Smith stopped minut,
in the shadow Of a tree and looket
keenly at him. I'm too busy to-nigh
to say much, Wickwire," he said, afte
a moment. You 90 over to the bar
and report to Bob Scott. If you wan
to take the chances, it is up to you
and if Bob Scott Il agreeable, I'll us
you where l can-that's all l ca
promise. You win probably hav
more than one chance to get killed"
ITO be COntinued)