Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1911-07-07
CONQUERED
AT LAST
By R. PEMBRRTON SLADE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1871.

rOoitI i''I TWO years TERM III thc az
iona I,enitpntIary for horse stealing
the vigilance committee had missed
him or he would have been hanged
be turned to Billy Stokes. who was
responsible for his arrest, and said:
when we meet again. Billy, it will
be from behind u couple o guns. Two
years behind the bars won't improve
my already soured disposition toward
you"
"I'li he ready for you, Mike. but
I'm afraid you'll have to seek me in
the city where ! was born and brought
up. advised you long ago to stop
monkeying with other peoples prop
erty and go to work. II you had taken
my advice you wouldn't have been
about to do time for horse stealing"
The prisoner was led away, and
Billy Stokes prepared 10 leave for the
east.
Billy from childhood had been one
of those boys who need Il wider range
than u city affords. While there was
nothing bad about him. he was very
unruiy. Finally his father, feeling
that his son would not make an orna-
ment to civilized society. concluded 10
send him out among the cowboys and
desperadoes. Billy found himself
quite in his element and remained in
the wild and woody west five years
Then his mother couldn't stand ner
darIing's absence any longer and beg
ged him to come home. Her pleadings
were REINFORCED by an offer Of his
father to take the boy into business
with him If he would settle down, and
this brought Billy round.
A couple OF years passed. during
which the young man had got on fairly
well az humdrum business man. He
lived at home with his father and
mother. the Idol of both. Though he
was fond OF them. they might not have
been able to keep him had it not been
/ for girl. AT any rate. the three held
MIN chained.
One night Billy. whose room was
over the rear entrance to the house
heard singular sound. 1t was like
ceased and was followed by the sound
of saw. Both sounds We're very
faint, but Billy had fine ears, sharp
ened by his western experience, and
he was satisfied that'a burglar was at
work at rear door. His AZ calibeu
revolver that he had used III the west
was in his bureau drawer. and. taking
it in one hand and an electric lamp IN
the other. after slipping on dressing
gown. he stepped downstairs and into
a veStibule at the rear. There ne
could hear the saving distinctly. An
arm was put through hole IN the
door. the Key III the lock was turned
the door swung silently open. and the
watcher SAW the silhouette OF man
entering the room.
A flash OF electric light revealed the
intruders face. and at the same mo.
ment came the words Hands up"
Being lighted ana covered, the burglar
Obeyed the order.
We'll. upon my word" exclaimed
Billy.
Yes. I'm Mike Dugan. and know
that voice OF yours. You're Billy
Stokes.
'At vour service, Now. | remember
you SAID that when next W. met a
pair OF guns would be between us
You hit ii right, but its / who nave
the drop on you instead of You havIne
II on me, SUPPOSE your coming nerp
is Intentional.
Yes As soon az got out | came
here IN find you. concluded that the
best way TO cover my tracks with re
spert Ia the move would be 10 bur.
glariZe the house you We're in"
81 see. You could murder me, and il
you could make a successful exit with
out being known you'd get your re-
venge and go scot free"
That's about 1t, Billy"
But instead OF revenge you'll get
ten years this time"
II don't care much. What can q
man do who has once been convicted
Only my wife and kids are having a
hard time Of 1t with no one to take
care OF EN-"
Yes. there's the rub. That's going
to bother NE In turning you over.
wouldn't mind sending you up again
but you know very we'll that ] sympa.
thize with your family"
Couldn't you give me a chance In
five honrst?''
What! Help a man who has come
here TO murder me?'
There was no reply to this.
Mike. you're fool. I knew YOU
before you took to the bad. and you
were a good man. too passionate and
revengefui. hut | know how you loved
your wife and kids. especially the hoy
you named for me. Now. I'll tell you
what III do I'll give you place In
my fathers business and enough wages
to support your family. know I'm q
no: I'm NOT fool. I'll bet my bot
tom, dollar that within another yea
you will be living comfortably with
your wife and children. the kids grow
ing up to make useful citizens. Wha,
do You sayr
"Oh. Billy. what a Ounce you are
You'd ouly get yourself into trouble"
I'LL take the risk. You're a bette,