The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-02-05

introduction she said: "Get along.
You fellers want to understand I'll kill
the man that sets out to fool with my
girl, tell you thatv'
While yet Lee Virginia was wonder
ing how to begin the days work some
one knocked on her door. and in an
swer to her invitation woman stepped
ina thin blond nag with a weak
smile and watery blue eyes. rs this
little Lee virginny?" she asked.
The girl rose. YES"
"Well, howdy?" She extended her
hand, and Lee took It. my names
Jackson-Mrs. Orlando jackson. I
knew yore pa and you before the
war; Are We back fer to stay"
"No, I don't think 30. VIII you sit
DOWN."
Mrs. Jackson took q seat. Come
back to see how yore ma was. reck-
on? Found her pretty porely, didn't
ye?" She lowered her voice. II think
she's got cancer of the stummick-
now that's my guess"
Virginia started. "What makes you
think so?'
"Weil, / knew a woman who went
just that way. Had that same nabby.
funny look-and that same distress
after eatin'. l told her this mornin'
she'd better 60 up to Sulphur and see
that new doctor"
what did you mean by the WARP"
asked Virginia.
'Why. you remember the rustler
war? We date everything out mere
from that year. You was here, for I
saw ye."
''Ohr' exclaimed Virginia. II under
stand now. Yes. was here. 1 saw my
father at the head Of the cowboys"
They weren't cowboys. They were
hired killers from Texas. That's what
let yore pa out O the state. He were
on the wrong side, and il it hadn't "a
been for the regular soldiers he'd "a
been wiped out right hyer. As it was
he had to skip the range and hain't
never been back. I don't s'pose folks
will lay 1t up agin you-bein' girl
but they couldn't no son Of Ed Weth-
erford come back here and settle. not
for minute. Why, ycrc ma has had
to bluff the whole county a'most-not
that lay anything up agin her. tell
folks she was that bewitched with Ed
she couldn't see things any way but
his way. He fought to save his ranch
and stawk. but she couldn't do nothin'
and then to have him 90 back on her
the way be did-slip out 'twixt two days
and never write: that just about shot
her to pieces. never could under.
stand that in Ed: he 'peared 80 mortal.
ly fond Of you and of her too. He sure
was fond of you She shook her head
'No, can't anybody make me believe
Ed Wetherford is alive"
Lee Virginia started. "who says
he's alive?
Nov. don't get excited. girl. he
amt alive, but yet folks say we don't
know he's dead. He jest dropped out
SO far as yore ma is concerned and 80
far as the county is concerned, but
some thought you was with him in the
east"
The girl was now aware that hel
visitor was hoping to gain some fur
Their Information and SO CURLY an
swered: 1--WE never seen my father
since that night the soldiers came and
took him away to the fort. And my
mother told me he died down in Tex
u.s."
Mrs. Jackson rose. "Well. I'm glad
to We had a word with ye; but. YOU
hear me. yore ma has got to have
doctors help or she's a-goin' to fal
down some day SOON"
| Every word the woman uttered, ev
cry tone Of her drawing voice. put
Lee Virginia back into the past Shs
heard again the swift gallop Of hoofs
saw once more the long line Of armed
ranchers and felt the hush Of fear thai
lay over the little town on that fate
| full day: The situation became clearer
in her mind. She recalled wildly the
words Of establishment and hate witt
| which the women had greeted he,