Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-11-09
ETWACNr NLIPG Goo


mrttered In suppressed excitement, O
lie realized my presence. Its a goiI
ter be b'ilin' hot in thar mighty sooI
Mariar's steam is a risln'."
He silently made room for me. an
bending down so as to bring my ey
upon level with his. managed I
gain some slight glimpse Of the seen
within the cabin.
Mrs. Bungay stood with her bacl
to the fireplace. an iron skillet firml
gripped in one hand. Her face wa
red with indignation, and there wa
look In her eyes. together with
defiant set to her chin. which prom
Used trouble. In front Of her. care
lessly resting on the table, his fee
dangling in the air. was sturdy
looking fellow Of forty or so. will
red. struggling beard covering all thu
lower half Of his face. and weather
worn black hat pulled so low as al
most to conceal his eyes. His attire
was nondescript. as though he hat
patronized the junkshop OF boil
armies. In his belt were thrust re
volver and a knife. while within cas-!
reach OF his hand musket Leaned
against a chair. Two others Of the
party. younger men. but even more
roughly dressed than their leader
were lounging between him and the
door.
Bungay chuckled eXpectantly.
20 Lord! II they only git the Of
gal Just a little more riled." he whis
pered hcarsely. jumping up and dowr
on one foot in his excitement. they'll
hev Their fight Of their life."
do you know the fellows?" | asked
rs tina: Red Lowrie?"
He shook his head.
Never laid eyes on any Of EN-
afore. but ye bet they're no good
Reckon they're part O. his crowd"
The man who posed as the leader Of
the party picked up the empty cof'
fee-pot beside him and shook It.
Come, now. Mrs. Bungay." he com
J .anded. II tell you we're hungry. SO
trot out some hoecake and Ill up this
pot. unless you want t. reckon with
Red Lowrie."
The woman stood facing him. yet
never moved. could see red spot
begin to glow in either cheek. II
had ever doubted It, ! knew now that
Maria possessed temper Of her own.
"You amt no Re- Lowrie." she re-
torted.
The fellow laughed easily.
"No more | ain'., old woman, but
I reckon we amt so durn far apart
when It comes to getting what We go
after. Come. honest now. where is
the little white.livereL cur that runs
this shebarg"
Whatever Maria mi"ht venture to
call her lord and master in the
privacy Of home. 1t evidently did not
soothe her spirit to hear him thus
spoken of by another.
III Jed Bungay wus hum" she an
swered fiercely. her eyes fairly blaz-
Ing, 81 reckon you would mt be sprawl
In on tibet thar table fer long"
Wouldn't l. now Well. old hen.
we've fooled here with you about as
ong as ! care to. Bill. go over there
Ind put some Of that bacon on to fry
II she doesn't get out Of the way Tli
give her something TO jump for" And
he patted the stock Of his gun.
Instinctively I drew my revolver.
Ind pushed its black muzzle into the
light under Jed's nose.
Shall give him dose?" asked
mot yit; o Lord, not yit!" he ex-
dancing from one foot to the
'ther in excitement Let Their Of
Sal hev a show, reckon she's good
er Their whole three Of EN-, Tess they
boot"
Bill came up grinning. He evident
, anticipated some fun. and as he
cached out a grlmy hand for the slab
I bacon, took occasion to make some
emark. What It was could not hear.
ut noted the quick responsive flash
q the wOman's eyes. and the next
Instant with a crash she brought the
ron skillet down with all her strength
n top Of the fellows head. without
ven a groan he went plunging down,
ace foremost. in front Of the fire. In
mother moment che vas battling like
wild fury with the other two.
It was a quick. intense struggle. The
ian near the door CHANGED to be the
Irst In, and he received q blow from
be skillet that most assuredly would
ave crushed his skull had he not
edged; as II was It landed upon his
boulder and he reeled back sick and
elpless. BY this time the fellow with
be red beard had closed upon her.
nd wrested the skillet from her hand.
flercely back and forth
cross the floor. Maria tripped over
he body Of the dead dog and fell,
ut as she did so her fingers grasped
he red beard Of her antagonist. II
Ielded to her hand. and bare Of face.
i've for a dark moustache. the man |
God there. painting for breath. above |
er. Then suddenly. almost At my |
cry ear, q voice cried.
Frank! Frank! ! am here!"
CHAPTER TX.