Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1911-06-01

NO." persisted the woman. See,
the storm comes straight from the
north. Our way is due south; we've
only to keep It at our backs"
All right" said the boy cheerily.
He turned and stared out of the win.
dow. you've no idea how terrible 1t
is. though"
Il don't care"
Get ready, then"
I'm ready" she replied. "See!"
She lifted the skirt of her dress and
showed him a pair of horseman's
boots with a pair of her husbands
trousers tucked tightly in them. Its
a good thing he has q small foot she
sneered.
Curse him!" said the boy. I'D
like to settle with him before we CO."
You'll settle with him enough
said the woman cynically, when you
take ME away from him"
She turned and took down from
one of the pegs a heavy fur overcoat.
The boy assisted her to put 1t on.
From a holster hanging on the wall
she drew a small silvcr mounted 81.
calibered revolver.
I'm ready" she said again.
Let us start. then" cried the boy,
stepping forward.
On the instant a whirl of wind dis
closed to them that the door had sud
denly opened. They turned to face
a drunken, Infatuated, lcering figure.
He had on a short. thick fur jacket,
which left his hips completely un.
covered. A heavy revolver had dan.
gled In his holster. He dragged 1t
out as he spoke and trained 1t on the
boy.
You're going for a longer journey
than you planned" he painted thickly,
as he strove to steady the weapon and
cover the other.
The boy was fumbling at the rasten-
ings Of his coat. His own revolver
was not get-at-able instantly, as 1t
should have been and would have
beer had he been n native to the
west.
Rumble at EN-, o fool" cried
the man. Before you get 'em open,
I'll shoot you dead. don't do it now,
cause | want you to taste death and
hell as long as possible before you
go into EN-. You thought you'd make
a fool out of me, did you. and you.
too, YOU"
He flung a frightful, mordant word
at his wife which stung not less be-
cause it was in large measure unde-
served, at least so far as the boy was
concerned.
iii settle with you when | get
through with him. Your times up"
he continued, as the boy at last sue
ceeded in reaching his weapon.
He was game, that boy. although his
face under its blood was winter than
it had been when he entered the
cabin, while the other mans, similarly
snow wounded, was red with rage;
and, though he was covered and even
a drunken man could scarcely miss at
such range, he nevertheless drew his
own weapon. But before he could
raise 1t there was a sudden movement
back of him. The a in the door.
way turned sharply.
What" he cried to his wife. You
would, YOU"
At that instant the boy was con-
scious of a sudden flash of light and a
sharp detonation. The room was
filled with noise. a little cloud of
smoke blew downon him. Standing with
his own pistol butt clasped tight in his
hand, he saw the man in the doorway
reel. The arm that held his weapon
dropped to his side. With a convul'
sive movement he pulled the trigger
The bullet buried itself in the floor,
while the man sank down on his
knees, swayed a moment. a ~frightful
look in his eyes. and then pitched for
ward on his face and lay still.
Good God" whispered the boy
turning to his companion. you've shot
him!"
He stared at the woman. who still
Weapon she had used with such ter.
rible effect.
TT was his life, or your life or
mine." vas the answer. 81 did 1t for
you." she said quickly, seeing a look
of horror and repulsion spreading over
the face of her companion.
"Yes-yes! know" he replied;
but"
Come, we must get out OF here
Immediately"
"Of course, OF course" whispered
the boy ~nervously. 1--WE can't stay here
now"
Drag him into the room and shut
the door,"
The lad hesitated.