The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-01-17

Ga W 40 q AoOI VI a huaNO, DSCduSS
either way I hadn't any right to live.
and he wound up by saying that he'd
Just go down to the Jolly Dog and get
q few drinks to put him in the right
frame OF mind and then he'd come
back and reduce the membership OF
the Gilt Gulch bar by one"
It is significant Of Hartford,s broad
and tolerant temperament that he did
not remind Darlington that he had
previously predicted such a catastro-
pho as had now befallen. Neverthe-
less slight glimmer Of amusement
stole across his face.
so you want my advice, do your
he asked.
II should appreciate it very much"
said Darlington.
''Well, you shall have it." said Hart
ford laconically, trapping the bowl OF
his pipe against the heel of his shoe.
'If Jim Busby were out cunning for
me and I couldn't shoot any better
than you can, and I had a comfortable
little sum saved, as you have, and
there were q pretty girl in New Eng
land who didn't know any better than
to love me, as she does you, I'd 60 east
on the half past 2 train. and wouldn't
hurry back"
But the trouble is" Darlington ex-
planned, 'eSusie-Miss Cutler, that is
will be here on the train that gets in
at $50. The trains pass ON the first
siding out, you know. The fact is we
are to be married day after tomorrow
at noon. You'll pardon my emitting
to send you an invitation. won't you?
1t was quite unintent1onal. I've been
90 busy
"Oh,' Hartford broke In, with a dep
recatory wave OF his arm, you need
not apologize. It's just one Of those
little mistakes busy man is bound to
make every now and then. I haven't
Busby's disposition. I'll forgive you"
Then Hartford looked at his watch
and found that it was twenty minutes
past 2.
You'll have to move lively, my
boy" he said. keep an eye open for
Jim, and If the coast is clear take the
2:3O. If it isn't, walk over to Sand
City and take the next one there"
But about Susie,' Darlington re-
monstrated.
"Pshaw!" growled Hartford. That's
easy enough. Leave a note for her
with the station master, telling her to
go back to Colorado Springs and you'll
meet her there. II you don't have time
to write a note, have the station mas
ter tell her you've been called away on
bo% .In,c
to 60 to the hotel and wait until you
send her word. Don't you worry about
the girl She'll prefer a slightly de-
layed wedding to an expedited funeral.
Hurry up now. You've just about time
to make ito
As he slipped down the main street
Of Gilt Gulch on his way to the sta
! ton Darlington caught a glimpse Of
Jim Busby's gaunt profile as be stood
at the bar Of the Jolly Dog. his back
toward the entrance. Barrington's in
dolent heart rejoiced as hs reflected
that the ten mile walk to Sand City
would now be unnecessary. It was
just twenty-eight minutes past when
he reached the station. He gave the
necessary instructions concerning Su-
sic to the station master and rushed
out upon the platform. But the train
which made up at Gilt Gulch was not
yet ready to depart A freight car had
left the rails, blocking the track. Five.
ten, fifteen minutes passed. and still
the obstruction remained Darlington
grew uneasy. Jim Busby might at any
moment deem that he had imbibed a
quantity of liquor commensurate with
his contemplated task and begin to
search for him. But at the end of
twenty minutes, to his great relief, the
perspiring train crew succeeded in re-
placing the derafled car, and the
freight train pulled slowly out upon a
siding. Even as it did so harrington
caught sight of the $50 train as 1t
rounded the curve Just beyond the sta
ton.
A moment later Susie Cutler. her
trim little figure set or by a skiIlfully
tailored gray travelling suit and her
face wearing the look Of determination
betting girl who had Just completed
a journey nearly across the continent
alone, descended to the platform Of
Gilt Gulch station. harrington rushed
toward her joyfully. Within three
steps of her he encountered An obsta-
cle-a very serious obstacle. This was
nothing less than the muzzle Of a re-
! volver. Behind the revolver stood Mr..
James Busby.
snow, young man." said Mr.. Busby.
well attend to your little matter. and
We won't be long doing it,
| Then Busby became suddenly con-
scious Of a voice, evidently feminine,
proceeding from some point in his
rear and of the light pressure Of a
| hand upon his arm.
"Do you know" said the voice, FITS
dreadfully careless Of you pointing
that thing at anybody so. Why, 1t
might so on"
Turning about, Busby looked into
the piquant features Of Susie Cutler.
He decided unhesitatingly that. not
withstanding some freckles and the
tendency Of the nose to turn up, it was
rather pleasing face to view.
$50 1t might" said Busby slowly.
$50 it might