Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-08-10

He possessed the appetite of the
open, of the normal man in perfect
physical health. and he ate heartily.
his eyes wandering out of the open
window down the long. dismal street.
A drunken man lay in front of the
RED Light" saloon sleeping undise
turbed; two cur dogs we're snarling at
each other just beyond over bone;
movers wagon was slowly coming
In across the open through a cloud Of
yellow dust Thatzwas all within the
radius of vision. For the first time in
years the East called him-the old
life of cleanliness and respectab flity.
He swore to himself as he tossed the
! Chinaman pay for his breakfast, and
strobe out onto the steps. Two men
were coming up the street together
dark-skinned, with black goatee, the
other heavily set with closely trim
med gray beard. Keith knew the lat
ter, and waited, leaning against the
doc, one hand on his hip.
"Hullo, Bob" he said genially;
.they must have routed you out pref
ty early today. 49,
They shore did, Jack" was the re-
Spouse. He came up the steps some
what heavily, his companion stopping
below. ''The boys raise hell all night.
an then come ter me ter straighten
it out in the mawnin' When did We
git in?"
IAN hour ago; had to wake the
'chink' up to get any chuck. Town
looks dead"
"Tain't over lively at this time O.
day." permitting his blue eyes to wan
der up the silent street, but instantly
bringing them back to Keith's face,
''but reckon it'll wake up laterson. y
He stood squarely on both feet, and
one hand rested on the butt of a re-
volver Keith noticed this, wonder
ing vaguely.
Il reckon yer know, Jack, as how
ginerally git what l goes after" said
the slow, drawing voice, IAN that
draw bout as quick as any O. the
boys They tell me yo're gunsf1ght-
er, but 1t won't do ye no good ter
make play we're. fer one G. US is sure
to git yer-do yer sabe?"
Get me?" Keith's voice and face
expressed establishment, but not
muscle of his body moved. What do
you mean. Bob-are you fellows after
me?"
Sure thing; got the warrant here"
and he tapped the breast of his shirt
with his left hand
The color mounted into the cheeks
Of the other. his lips grew set and
white. and his gray eyes darkened.
Let it all out. Marshal" he said
sternly. you've got me roped and
tied. Now what's the charger"
Neither man moved, but the one be-
low swung about 30 as to face them.
one hand thrust out OF sight beneath
the tail of his long coat.
MAKE him throw up his hands.
Bob, She said sharply.
"Oh, i reckon thar amt goin' ter
be no trouble" returned the marshal
genially, yet with no relaxation of at
tention. Keith knows me, an ex-
poets fair deal. Still. maybe bet
ter ask yer to unhitch yer belt. Jack"
A moment Keith seemed to hesitate,
plainly puzzled by the situation and
endeavoring to see some way Of es-
cape; then his lips smiled. and he
silently unlocked the belt. handing 1t
over.
Sure, know you're square. Hicks,"
he said, coolly And now I've unlim-
bered, kindly inform me what this il
all about"
81 reckon yer don't know
mo more than an unborn babe. l
have been here but an hour. !"
That's It: II yer had been longer
thar wouldn't be no trouble. Yo'rsi
wanted for KILN couple o men out