The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-12

"Any Other Room You Could conven.
iently Assign Mr.-ah--Mont.
gomery to Tor1my?"
and greeting the alighting passengers
with free and easy badinage. Stranger
or acquaintance made no difference,
the welcome to Sheridan was noisily
extended. while rough play and hoarse
laughter characterized the mass.
Hope paused on the step. even as
D. Fairbain grasped her hand, dinned
by the medley OF discordant sounds,
and confused by the vociferous jam
OF humanity. A band came footing
down the street in q hack, a fellow,
with q voice like fog horn, howling
on the front seat. The fellows at the
sloe OF the car surged aside to get q
glimpse OF this new attraction. ana
falrbain. taking quick advantage OF
the opportunity thus presented, swung
MS charge to the cinders below Benz.
Ing before her. and butting his great
shoulders into the surging crowd, be
succeeded In pushing a passage
through. thus finally bringing her
forth to the edge of the street.
Hey. there" he said shortly, grab
bing shirt-sleeved individual by the
arm. Where's Charlie?"
The fellow looked at him wonder
ingly.
Charlie? Oh. you mean the 'Kidr
Well, he amt here ter-night: had q
weddin'. an Is totin' the bridal
couple round"
Fairbain swore discreetly under his
breath. and cast an uncertain glance
at the slender figure shrinking beside
him. The streets of Sheridan were
not over pleasant at night
Only hack in town Is somewhere
else. Miss," he explained briefly. Il
reckon you and will have to hoof It"
He felt the grip Of her fingers on his
sleeve.
The boys are little noisy, but it's
Just their way-don't mean anything
you hang on to me, an keep the veil
down-we'h be there in the shake of a
dogs tail"
He helped her over the muddy
crossing. and as they reached stretch
OF board walk. began expatiating on
the various places lining the way.
That's the Mammoth over there
dance hall back Of it-biggest thing
vest of the Missouri-three men killed
there last week-what for? Oh. they
got too fresh-that's the Casino and
the one beyond Is Pony Joe's Place
cut his leg of since I've been here
tight over a girl. Amt there any
ores?0sure; they're farther back
sou see the saloons got In frst-that's
Sheeny Mikes gambling joint you're
looking at-like to 90 over aud see
'em play? All right, just thought I'd
ask you-it's early anyhow, and things
wouldn't be goin' very lively yet. Say,
there. you red head, what are you try.
Ing TO do"
The fellow had lurched out OF the
crowd In such manner as TO brush
partially aside the girls veil. per
mitting the glare Of "Sheeny Mikes"
lights to fall full upon her revealed
face. 1t was accomplished 80 openly
as to appear planned, but before he
could reel away again, Fairbain struck
out. and the man went down. With
m oath he was on his feet, and Hope
covered back against her protector.
Each man had weapons drawn, the
crowd scurrying madly to keep out OF
the line OF fire. when, with a stride, a
new figure stepped quietly In between
them. Straight as an arrow, broad
shOuldered. yet small waisted as a
woman, his hair hanging low over his
coat-collar, his face smooth shaven
except for long moustache, and
emotionless, the revolvers in his belt
untouched, he simply looked at the
two. and then struck the revolver out
of the drunken mans hand. II fell
harmless TO the ground.
And don't you pick It up until |
tell you. Scott" he said quietly. III
you do you've got to fight me-"
Without apparently giving the fel-
low another thought, be wheeled and
faced the others.
"Oh, it's you, Is It, Doctor? The
drunken fool won't make any more
trouble. Where were you taking the
LADY,"
ITO the hotel, Bill
"I'll walk along with you reckon
the boys will give us plenty of room"
He glanced over the crowd. and then
more directly at Scott.
Pick up your gum" the brief words
swapping out. This Is the second time
I've caught you hunting trouble. The
next time you are going to find It
saw you run into this lady--what did
you DO il for"
II only wanted to see who she was,
Bill"
You needn't call me Bill. don't
trW in your class. Ny name IS
1iChCCk 10 you. Was II any OF ycur