Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1911-11-29
II CHAPTER xxi.-(continued.)


was thought murdered. is at, Sheridan
and goes there. where she is mistaken TO-
n Christie Maclnire. the Carson City singer
CHAPTER xxi.-(continued.)
He shoulderedr his way through the
/, collected crowd. the other following
Il Hope endeavored to speak, TO explain
to Fairbain who she actually was. real
izing then. for the first time. that she
had not previously given him hel
|. name. Amidst the incessant noise
and confusion. the blaring Of brass
and the jangle Of voices. she found II
Impossible to make the man compre
aend. She pressed closer to him. hold
Ing more tightly to his arm, stunned
and confused by the fierce uproar. The
stranger steadily pushing ahead Of
them. and opening a path for theil
I passage. fascinated her. and her eyes
watched him 5curiously. His name was
m oddly familiar one. associated In
vague memory with some Of the most
desperate deeds ever witnessed in the
West. yet always found on the side Of
\ Law and order; Il was difncult to con
#ceive that this quiet-spoken. mild-eyed
L gently smiling man could indeed be
\ the most famous gun tighter on the
border. hated. feared. yet thoroughly
respected. by every desperate be-
tween the Platte, and the Canadian
Beyond the glare and glitter Of the
h Metropolitan Dance Hall the noisy
crowd thinned away somewhat. and
the marshal ventured to drop back be-
side Fairbain. yet vigilantly watched
every approaching face.
Town appears unusually lively to.
night. Bili,' observed the latter grave.
Bly,"and the boys have got an early
start 52
West end graders, Just paid on. :
,swas the reply. "Thcy have y been
Itwhoopin It up ever since noon. and
are beginning to get ugly. Now the
rest of the OUTFIT are showing up. and
there will probably be something In
steresting happening before morning.
Wouldn't mind II 10 much II had =
single deputy worth his salt.
What's the matter with Balm
Nothing. while he was on the Job,
but Red Haggerty got him in Pony
Joe's' shebangc two hours ago: shot
him In the back across the bar. Ned
never even pulled his gun"
I'm sorry to hear that; what be.
came OF Haggerty?'
d, The marshalslet his eyes rest Ques.
tioningly on the doctors face for an
Instant.
well. happened to be Just behind
Ned when he went" he said gently,
ss..and Red will be buried on Boots
Hin, tomorrow. I'm afraid ] don't
give you much chance to show your
skill. Doc. withsa smile.
rs .If they all shot like you do, my
4 profession would be useless. What's
the matter with your other deputies ??
Lack of nerve. principally. ] reck.
s0n: amt one OF 'em worth the powder
I 70 blow him up. I'd give something just
now for fellow had down at Dodge
his was man. Never had to tell
\ him when to 60 in; good judgment
] too: wasn't out hunting for trouble.
B but always ready enough to take his
share. Old soldier in our army. Cap
4 tain. j heard. though he never talked
much about himself: maybe you knew
hiro-Jack Keith
Well. | reckon. in quick surprise
y .'and what's more to the point. he's
here slept in my room last night.
B Keith here? In Sheridan? And
hasn't even hunted me up yet? That's
like him. all right. hut honestly want
i to see the boy. Here's your hotel.
Shall you need me any longer?"
Better step in with us. BILL" the
doctor advised. your moral influence
might aid In procuring the lady de.
cent room"
II reckon It might"
They passed together up the three
rickety. steps leading into the front
hall, which latter opened directly into
the cramped once; to the left was the
wide-open bar-room. clamorous and
/. throbbing with life. A narrow bench
stood against the wall. with couple
OF half drunken men loungtng upon It
The marshal routed them out with Z
single. expressive gesture.
wait here with the lady, Fairbain.'
no said shortly, and Ill arrange fol
the room"
They watched him glance in at the
bar, yigilant and cautious. and ther
move directly across to the desk.
Tommy" he said genially to the
clerk. .l've Just escorted lady here
from the train-Miss Maclaire-ant
want you to give her the best room II
|EyOur old shebang."
The other looked at him doubtfully
He'll. Bill, don't know how I'm
4 going to do that" he acknowledged
She wrote in here to the boss for 8
room; said she'd be along yesterday
Well, she didn't show up. an SO to