River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-12-14


the bar. where he could see any one
passing through the hall. The eyes
of the two men met, but the gambler
never moved, never changed his at
titude, although Keith noted that his
right hand was hidden beneath the
skirts of his long coat The plains
man drew back. facing his enemy, un-
til he reached the outer door. There
was a sheer on Hawley's dark SIMS
ter face like an invitation. but mem
DRY of the girl he had just left, and
her dependence upon him. caused
Keith to avoid an encounter. he
would fight this affair out in a differ
ent way. AS the door opened and he
slipped forth into the gloom, he brush
ed against a man apparently just en-
tering. The CLEAN of light fell for an
instant upon the face of the other-lt
vas Scctty with the REQ moIstache.
They had been watching for him
then-what for? Hawley on the In
side, and this man Scott without, were
waiting to determine when he left
the hotel; would probably dog his
footsteps to discover where he went.
Keith loosened his revolver, SO as to
be assured he could draw quickly, and
slipped back into the shadow of the
steps, his eyes on the door of the
hotel. There was cold, drizzly rain
falling, the streets almost deserted.
appearing sodden and miserable
where the lights shone forth through
saloon windows. One or two men.
seeking supper. coat collars turned up
and hats drawn low over their eyes.
climbed the rickety steps and went In.
but no one came out. Perhaps he
was mistaken as to the purpose OF
those fellows; they may have desired
merely to know when he left, or
SCOTS return just at that moment
might have been an accident. TO be
sure, the hotel possessed a back exit.
but he could not cover both ends OF
| the building. and must take his
! chances. 1t was too wet and disagree
able to remain crouched there, now
that it was evident there was no in
tention of following him. With hand
on the butt of his gun, suspicious and
watchfuL, yet with scarcely a faster
beat to his heart, Keith Strengthened
up, and began splashing his way
through the mud down the street. He
knew where Willoughby would be
most likely found at this hour-with
cronies at the "Tenderfoot" and he
meant to discover the boy, and make
him confess to Hope the truth Mat
tiers had now reached point where
longer delay was dangerous.
Sheridan was seemingly dead the
long street silent. gloomy, black, ex-
cept for those streams of saloon light
shining across pools of water. A few
wanderers ploughed through the muck.
/ dim uncertain shapes appearing and
vanishing in the gloom. He had gone
a block and over. the struggle against
the elements leaving him forgetful Of
all else when a man reeled out OF
come dimly lit shack to his right. and
/ staggered drunkenly forward a few
feet in advance. He could barely dis
tingllish the fellows's outlines, giving
little thought to the occurrence, for
+he way was unusually black along
there. the saloon opposite having
/ SHADES drawn. OuOuChtJ ANSAA -
red fire spurted into the night, with
sharp report 1t was so close at hand
If blinded him, and he flung up one
arm over his eyes. and yet, In that
single instant, he perceived the wnoie
nicture as revealed by the red flame.
He saw the man in front go down In
a heap. the projection of the building
from behind which the shot came, the
end of a wagon sticking forth into the
street which had concealed the as
sassin. The binding flash, the shock
of that sudden discharge, for mo
ment held him motionless; then ne
leaned forward, revolver in hand,
sprang around the end of the wagon
and rushed down the dark alley De-
tween two buildings He could see
nothing. but some one was running
recklessly ahead of him, and he fired
in the direction of the sound. the
leaping squirt of flame yielding dim
outline of the fugitive. Three times
he pressed the trigger; then there
was nothing to shoot at-the fellow
had faded away into the black void
of prairie. Keith stood there baff1ed.
staring about into the gloom. the
smoking revolver in his hand. The
sound of mems voices behind was all
that reached him, and feeling the USE
lessness of further pursuit, he re-
traced his way back through the mar
row passage.
(TO BE CONTINUED