Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1910-01-29
WITH FLYING COLORS.
The Incident That Ended His
Period Of Probation.
BY cLARlcE ENeLE.

A man picked his way slowly along
the gun baked trail that led westward
70 Taggart across the desert. 1t was
high noon and the day had been hot
ana dry and the mans throat was
pHrched with thirst. This did not tend
to lessen his ferocious aspect nor to
soften the anger that glowed in his
eyes. 1t was all due to his visit that
morning to the little ranch few miles
behind, for there he had met with the
first failure in his life. He had pro-
posed and been rejected.
1t was not Bill Warren's nature to
be baked by anything. He usually
carried matters his own way and with
a high hand, as a result of which he
was looked upon as a sort Of local
bad man." But this cognomen was
applied to him only by people who did
not know Bill. In reality no better nor
kinder natured man than he ever rode
into Taggart
But Sue Patterson was one of those
who We're not intimately acquainted
with Warren, and this assertiveness
she looked upon as something evil.
Therefore, although otherwise she
liked Warren better than any other of
her admirers. she felt that she was
acting quite right when she rejected
his offer of marriage.
All the consolation that she had
given him in answer to his earnest
pleading was that she would put him
on an indefinite probation and If he
came through it with flying colors why
she would think about it.
All of which Warren took too liter
ally, and he thought that she had
spoken thus only TO soften her refusal.
NE became angry at the thought of it.
She don't care nothin' fer me-" he
muttered savagely, IAN know why
Its all along Of that sneakin' coyote,
Ralph Henderson. Been to Frisco an
seen a few things an comes out here
TO lord it over us. l know the brand.
She's plumb loco over the cuss. too.
an he amt no man. No" he finished
Bpitefully. "he amt no man."
He rode on across the desert in a
sort of dulled consciousness. with his
hat pulled well down over his eyes,
AT length. toward the middle of the
afternoon. he came into the foothills.
Before him lay the Tooth Of Time,
ahe largest mountain in that vicinity.
Beyond ii, ten miles to the westward
was Taggart This necessitated his
RalSing the trail that wound round the |
slope OF the mountain. This trail was |
hardly more than well trodden foot |
path and was only wide enough to per |
init a single rider upon it. One side |
OF 1t soped up at an angle Of almost |
eighty degrees. The other formed the
side of precipice that dropped Il
sheer 200 feet to the sandy ravine be-
low.
AS be rode over the trail, lost in
thought. Warren was dead to external
sounds He did not notice the fidget-
ing of his horse nor his frightened
whnnies. He had no intimation what
ever that any one was approaching
along the trail from the opposite direc-
tiOn. And yet not hundred feet
ahead of him a horse and rider were
rounding the curve Of the mountain.
Neither noticed the other until they
were fifty feet apart Then by some
strange intuition both raised their
heads. Recognition was mutual and
instantaneous. for the man ahead of
Warren was Ralph Henderson.
The faces of both men naled with
fear. Not in years had two men met
on that narrow trail and it seemed
some strange Intervention Of destiny
son While the face of the cattleman
grew anxious. that Of Henderson be-
came quickly overshot with a crafty
cunning
"Hello" he drawed pleasantly.
"HellOr' muttered Warren nervOusly.
"Well. what are we going to do
about II 2" the city man continued. 1T
looks rs If you'd have to go back"
Not by IA -- sight" snapped War
ren. There's no turning about for
either OF us. Well have to manage to
pass each other. The place seems pret.
ty wide here"
"Flip q coin for the inner side." sug-
Btpltu tue OthSNs SuuuChly iSdNhihB
hand into his pocket.
,SRight," agreed Warren, but let's
have a look at 1t first"
Henderson's face turned scarlet and
he stayed his hand. Il declare, I'm all
out OF COIN" he ratified sheepishly.
Here's an eagle" replied Warren,
with narrow eyes "Heave her up!
Heads pass on the inside, tails pass
on the outside"
He tossed the coin to Henderson as
be spoke who. pale faced and hesitat-
ing. fumbed with IL a moment and
let It fly up into the air with a twirl
OF veteran trickster. 1t fell down on
the trail at their feet. ringing out clear
and cold.
Tails" cried the city man, overcome
with excitement His face resumed
something Of its natural color and the
old craftiness stole into his eyes,