Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-14

quite triumphal in spite Of Tom, and
in spite Of Charley Norton, who was
plainly not anxious, to share her with
any one, his devotion being rather OF
the monopolzing sort.
Betty now seated herself in the car
rage, with Hannibal beside her,
quietly determined to miss nothing.
The judge. feeling that he had come
into his own, leaned elegantly against
the wheel, and explained the merits OF
each shot as 1t was made.
'Our intruding friend, the captain,
ma am, is certainly master with his
weapon" he observed.
Betty was already aware of this.
She turned to Norton. ".
Charley, can't bear to have him
win!"
Il am afraid he will, for anything I
can do, Betty" said Norton.
"Mr. Darlington, can't you shoot?-
do take Hannibars rifle and beat
him" she coaxed. ,5A@s-
Don't be too sure that cant" said
Darlington, laughing.
But know you cant" urged Bet
ty. " 14
81 hope you gentlemen are not go
ing to let me walk off with the prize"
said Murrell, approaching the group
about the carriage. Mr.. Norton, !
am told you are clever with the rife. Y
81 am not shooting today" respond
ed Norton haughtily
Murrell stalked back to the line.
."At forty PAGES I'd risk 1t myself,
ma'am," said the Judge. But at a
hundred, offhand like this, should
most certainly fail-I've burnt too
much midnight oil. Eh-what--damn
the dog, he's scored another center
shot!" ~ ra-
$ 1T would be hard to beat that"
they heard Murrell say. .s
AT least 1t would besquite possible
to equal It," said Darlington, advanc-
ing with Hannibal's rifle in his hands.
1t was tossed to his shoulder, and
poured out its contents in bright
stream of fame. There was mo-
ment Of silence.
Center shot, ma'am!" cried the
judge. Sa%f !; - 4
"PIl add twenty dollars to the
purse!" Norton addressed himself to
Darlington. "And l shall hope, sir.
"Our sentiments exactly, ma'am,
are they not?" said the Judge.
Perhaps you'd like to bet a little
Of your money!" remarked Murrel
I'm ready to do that too, SIR re-
sponded Norton quietly.
Five hundred dollars, then, that
this gentleman in whose success you
take so great an interest, can neither
equal nor better my next shot" Muir
rell had produced a roll of bills as
he spoke. 3....... ~.-.~
Norton colored with embarrass-
ment. Darlington took In the situa-
ton. @.#f r &&r q
"Wait a minute. he said. and
passed his purse to Norton. Cover
his money, sir" he added briefly.
Thank you, my horses have run
away with most Of my cash." explain
ed Norton. s.Ae. f..
Your shot" said Darlington short
ly, to the outlaw. 3. -.
Murrell taking careful aim, fired,
clipping the center.
AS soon as the result was known,
Darlington raised his rife; his bullet,
truer than his opponents drove, out
the center. Murrell turned on him
with an oath.
You shoot we'll, but board stuck
against tree is no test for mans
nerve" he said insolently.
Darlington was charging his piece.
= II only know of one other kind OF
target he observed coolly
,"Yes--a living target!" cried Muir.
rell. liz
The crowd opened from right to
left. Befty's face grew white, and
uttering a smothered cry she started
to descend from the carriage, but the
Judge rested his hand on her arm.
mo, my dear young lady, our friend
is quite able to care for himself.
Darlington shook the printing into
the pan Of Hannibal's ancient weap-
on. So ztt
II am ready for that. too" he said.
There was a.slow smile on his lips,
but his eyes, black and burning, look.
ed the captain through and through.
Another time said Murrell,
scowling. a
ANY time" answered Darlington
indifferently.
r. a CHAPTER XVI.
"This-" the speaker was Judge
Price; this is the place for me; they
are warm hearted people, sir; a
prosperous people and a patriotic peo-
,,1o x,ith ,,~otirtn1 1Nuo re country