The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1911-10-18

y
the tone than the language. became
aware of q thin ray Of light pene-
trating the seemingly solid wall just
In front Of me. and bending silently
forward could dimly distinguish the
elliptical head of Bungay as he applied
one eye 70 . small opening he had
industriously made between the logs.
0raspinS Mrs. Brennan firmly by the
hand so that we should not become
separated, crept across the interven-
ing blackness. and reached his side.
Holy smoke. Cap" the little man
muttered in suppressed excitement, as
he realized my presence, Its goin'
ter be b'ilin' hot in thar mighty soon.
Mariar's steam IL 4 risin'."
He silently made room for me, and
bending down so as to bring my eye
upon q level with his. I managed to
gain some slight glimpse Of the scene
within the cabin.
Mrs. Bungay stood with her back
to the fireplace. an iron skillet firmly
gripped In one hand. Her face was
red with indignation. and there was
. look In her eyes, together with
defiant set to her chin. which prom
Used trouble. In front Of her. care
iessly resting on the table. his feet
dangling in the air. was . sturdy
looking fellow Of forty or 20. with
red. struggling beard covering all the
lower half Of his face. and a weather
worn black hat pulled 80 low as al
most to conceal his eyes. His attire
was nondescript, - though he had
patronissd the 1unkshop of both
armies In his bsit we're thrust a re-
volver and . knife. while within easy
against q chair. Two others Of the
party. younger men. but even more
roughly dressed than their leader.
were lounging between him and the
door.
Bungsy chucklsd sIpectantly.
20 Lord! II they only git the OIL
gal Just a little more riled," he whis-
pered hoarsely. Jumping up and down
on one foot in his excitement. they'll
hev Their fight Of their life"
DO you know the fellows!" asked.
rs that Red Lowrief"
He shook his head.
afore. but ye bet they're no good.
Reckon they're a part O. his crowd"
The man who posed as the leader Of
the party picked up the empty COT
fse-pot beside him and shook It.
Come. now. Mrs. Bungay." he COM
handed. IT tell you we're hungry. 10
trot out some hoecake and fill up this
pot, unless you want to reckon with
Red Lowrie"
The woman stood facing him. yet
never moved. | could see a red spot
begin to glow In either cheek. II
had ever doubted It, I knew now that
Maria POSSESSED temper of her own.
You amt no Rec Lowrie," she re-
torted.
The fellow laughed easily.
mo more I Amt. old woman, but
I reckon we ART so durn far apart
when it comes to getting what we go
after. Come. honest now. where is
the little white-liverec cur that runs
this shebang?"
Whatever Maria might venture to
call her lord and master in the
privacy of home. 1t evidently did not
HoONho hci spiih " bnuu
spoken of by another.
IF Jed Bungay wus hum" she an
swered fiercely. her eyes fairly blax-
ing. Il reckon you would MT be sprawl
In on tibet thar table fer long"
Wouldn't I, now? Well. old hen.
we've fooled here with you about as
long as I care to. Bill, go over there
and put some Of that bacon on to fry
II she doesn't get out OF the way I'll
give her something TO jump for" And
he patted the stock of his gun.
Instinctively I drew my revolver.
and pushed its black muzzle into the
light under Jed's nose.
Shall I give him dose?" I asked
eagerly.
Not yit; o Lord. not yitl" he ex-
claimed. dancing from one foot to the
other in excitement. Let Their oil
gal hev a show. reckon she's good
for Their whole three of 'em. less they
shoot"
Bill came up grinning. He evident
ly anticipated some fun. and as he
reached out a grimy hand for the slab
of bacon, took occasion to make some
remark. What 1t was could not hear.