Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1911-04-21

fore him from the knowledge that he
was badly wounded. 1t must be done.
he swore to himself, because 1t was
for Annie. and all she had, and be-
sides, he had promised to make good.
But he must do something quick-be-
fore his own fame burned out.
Il ought to kill all Of you," he said,
and whatever effort he was making te
keep steady was not betrayed in. his
voice. II ought to kill you, but I'm
goin' to give you show"
He passed behind and searched
them for more weapons, making sure
that his work was thorough.
Now" he ordered, pick UP your
pal at your feet, because maybe he'll
pull through. guess no one can help
the other one. Hit it hard for the
gorge, and IL either of you looks back
his light goes out. because I've got
your rife. and am dead shot"
They picked their groaning COM
rade up and started.
When you see your boss" Jim
called after them, tell him he'll pay
for Annie's cabin or die the next time
he meets me. He will, So help me
God"
They hurried of with the limp form
between them, and Jim, beyond the
freight, knelt weakly on his knees
with rifle showing its menacing muz-
zle toward them. 1t seemed ready to
carry his threat into instant execu-
hn 1h
strange. distorted shapes as they
passed away, grew smaller, more In
distinct, and were finally taken into
the shadows where the waterfall fell
over into the blackness Of the canyon.
Neither had dared to look back. Jim's
bluff had worked, and they disap-
peared, believing him unhuTt and in
deadly capability.
Jim settled down and ran his hand
inside his shirt, where everything was
sticky and warm. He looked at the
big heap of Goals, up at the hills which
divided him from Holcomb where he
knew were other men, and across the
campfire to where a shaggy, white
head, with two dark spots for eyes,
looked BraVely at MIN.
Badly" he said, I'm about all in.
Badly, / guess" He leaned upon his
rife and slowly gained his feet, after
which he tried to take step. He
staggered toward the burro. deter.
mined that he would at least attempt
to reach aid, then weakly pitched for.
ward, muttering as he fell: ledge
said there was much In possession.
and I'm here yet, Annie, I'm here
yeti"
The lights OF the night now shone
down on a world Of stiffness, grass
strewn valley, bordered by great and
solemn pines, and on man who lay
quiet, white and motionless, while q
little burro strove to bring an answer
from silent lips.
Now, Badly didn't have a musical
voice, but 1t was strong. There were
two men riding along on the trail
above who were friends of Jim'a and
his, and heard him calling for help
They stopped, saw the embers, and
came down into the valley. They
picked Jim up, drove the spurs deer
into their tired horses, and strucl
over for Holcomb, and behind them
worried and keeping very close al
their heels, came Badly, pat-pattinG
with his little feet and wondering In
his way what 1t was all about, Ant
while a doctor worked over Jim IL
the dance-hall, Badly gazed solemnly
through the open door, and no ont
disturbed him.
1t was good many months before
Jim took to the trail again, and whel
he made his first trip he was pretty
/ white and wan. He came to CAM
where the trees were thick and wher'
he had so often stopped before. and
like many other times, a little cir
huddIed down between his knees ant
a big solemn head was at his Shout
der.
Annie" he said, you're goin' Il
be rich some time, because some mel
have agreed to pay you for every gal
lon OF water that runs over theil
dam; but there amt goin' to be M
home there any more for none Of Us
Some men are buildin' lake to saw
water with"
The silence of the night was I'm
broken save for the lulling song o
the brook and the lonesome yelp o
coyote, weird and mournful, IN tn,
distance.
And we've got to find new HON,
where we can take good care Of Bal
dy. He's really gittin' little old an,
bent"
There came no answer. He stoopet
over and in the glow saw that she wa
fast asleep. Very gently he pickle,
her up in his arms. her baby ham
swinging listlessly down, and carries
her toward the tent, saying softly:
"Sho. She's gone to sleep in he
clean pirs4-, and--durn It aII-sh
forgot to say her prayersl"
Dogs and the Earthquake.
The recent earthquake was mos