The New era-leader. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1911-1912, 1911-12-29
wright 4. c. AcClurs q Co. MAJ

49, W'Coo WNO VNyv0 IIlkW
By DEARDANnrrvrll.
cClurg q Co. MAJ
natural enough. and ne did not blame
her.
He glanced into the bar-room az he
passed. not In any anticipation, but
merely from the vigilance which be-
comes second nature upon the from
tier. Hawley stood leaning against
the bar, where he could see any one
passing through the hall. The eyes
OF the two men met. but the gambler
never moved, never changed his at
tituds. although Keith noted that his
right hand was hidden beneath the
skirts Ct his long coat. The plains
man drew back. facing his enemy, un-
til he reached the outer door. There
was . on Hawley's dark SIMS
ter face like an invitation, but . men,
ory Of the girl he had Just left. and
her dependence upon him. caused
Keith to avoid an encounter. He
would fight this affair out In q differ
emit way. Al the door opened and he
slipped forth into the gloom, he brush
ed against Q man apparently just en-
tering. The CLEAN Of light fell for an
instant upon the face Of the other-it
wal Scotty with the red m~oustache.
They had been watching for him
then-what fort Hawley on the in
side, and this man Scott without, were
waiting to determine when he left
the hotel: would probably dog his
footsteps to discover where he went.
Keith loosened his revolver, SO as to
be assured he could draw quickly, and
slipped back into the shadow Of the
steps, his eyes on the door Of the
hotel. There ri . cold, drizzly rain
falling. the streets almost deserted,
appearing sodden and miserable
where the lights shone forth through
saloon windows. One or two men,
seeking supper, coat collars turned up
and hats drawn low over their eyes.
climbed the rickety steps and went in,
but no came out. Perhaps he
was mistaken u to the purpose Of
those fellowsA they may have desired
merely to know when he left, or
Scots return just At that moment
might have been an accident. To be
sure, the hotel possessed q back exit,
but he could not cover both ends of
the building, and must take his
chances. 1t was too wet and disagree
able to remain crouched there, now
that 1t va evident there was no in
tention of following him. With hand
on the butt Of his gun, suspicious and
watchful. yet with scarcely q faster
beat TO his heart, Keith Strengthened
up. and began splashing his way
through the mud down the street. He
knew where Wflloughby would be
most likely found at this hour-with
cronies at the "Tenderfoot"-and he
meant to discover the boy, and make
him confess 70 Hope the truth. Mat
tiers had nov reached q point where
longer delay Wa dangerous
Sheridan ~ seemingly dead, the
long street silent, gloomy, black, ex-
cept for those streams Of saloon hight
shining across pools Of water. He
stumbled yer the irregular ground,
occasionally striking patches Of wood
en- sidewalk o. q strip of cinders. Here
and there . tent tapped in the wind,
which drove the drizzle into his face;
somewhere ahead q swinging sign
moaned a. II In agony. A few wan
derers ploughed through the muck,
dim uncertain shapes appearing and
vanishing in the gloom. He had gone
. block and over, the struggle against
the elements leaving him ~forgetful OF
all else, when . man reeled out of
some dimly lit shack to his right, and
staggered drunkenly forward a few
feet In advance. He could barely dis
tinsuish the fellows's outlines, giving
little thought to the occurrence, for
the way was unusually black along
there, the saloon opposite having
shades drawn. Suddenly q fash Of
red IRE spurtsd into the night, with q
sharp report. 1t wa 80 close ut hand
1t blinded him. and he flung up one
arm over his eyes, and yet, IN that
single instant. he perceived the whole
~,icture - revealed BY the red fame.
He saw the man In front 60 down in
! heap, the projection Of the building
rom behind which the shot came. the
End Of . wagon sticking forth into the
street which had concealed the ~
sassin. The binding fash. the shock
Df that sudden discharge, for . mo
ment held him m~otionless: then hs
leaped forward, revolver In hand.
Bprang around the end Of the wagon.
and rushed down the dark alley be-
tween two buildings. He could e
nothing. but some q was running
recklessly ahead Of him. and he fired
In the direction Of the sound, the
leaping squirt Of fame yielding . dim