Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-26

Lone Bull fellows don't let nobody do
that"
"Oh. no. far from such bizness," ex-
/ planned Mfr. Snyder impatiently. Il
/ gotta more important matter. That
blamed scOundrel of Jim Russell, he's
run away with my daughter. my Lou
Use! If 1 catch 'em I'll skin him alive"
IF be don't skin you first" said
Harry Barry coolly.
why should he skin me. eh?' sput-
tered Mr.. Snyder. What have l done
to him. eh?"
you've taken away his character,
You know"
Mr.. Snyder stared incredulously.
Taken away his characterT' he said
slowly. wy man. didn't know Jim
Russell had any character"
Can you prove it?''
| The father OF Louise scratched bis
ear thoughtfully. 81 can't prove 1t
| this mint" he admitted guardedly.
but reckon 1 could by writing down
to Arizona, where he's from"
81 wouldn't do it." advised Harry
Barry. Jim Russell will probably be
married to Louise by that time. and
! anything you said against him would
only be a reflection on your own fam
lily. How would you like to have any
body stir up your past?' he asked in
nocently.
Casper Snyder started violently and
looked at Harry Barry keenIy. What
! do you mean?" he demanded, with a
red face.
What said," returned Harry. flick
ing the reins on his horses neck
You going my way. Mr.. Snyder?"
The elder man looked down at the
ground and bit his lips thoughtfully.
| If he pursued Jim Russell to the death,
as he had planned in his first burst of
| vengeful fury. somebody-perhaps this
impudent young Barry-might revive
some OF those old rumors which had
preceded his own advent into this cat
! tie country. Possibly be might find
q place for Louise's husband on his
ranch and thus keep his favorite
daughter at home. At the same time
he could keep an eye on his son-in-law.
| 81 think I'll go home" he said alb
ruptly. IF you should meet up with
my daughter, Mr.. Barry. you kin tell
her that her father says he don't mind
! If she takes a ride with-with that Jim
Russell. but that he commands her to
come home and get married"
"I'll tell her." said Harry Barry
heartily as he waved a farewell at the
old man and went on his way.
When he reached the cool shadows
! of the Flower range he eased his horse
| and rode with slackened rein. He was
dead tired, and the day was almost
spent. AS yet he had not come up
with the man who had taken his horse.
he was riding up a little canyon
when the rattle of falling stones
brought him sharply face about. and
he saw the man he was looking for
not ten feet to the right of him. Jim
Russell, white and desperate looking.
stood at bay behind the little black
horse Nelly. Louise Snyder was no.
where In sight. but Harry Barry had
no doubt her fair frightened face was
hidden behind the clump of dwarfed
pines.
"Well?'' he said sharply to Russell
| without making a move to draw his
weapons. although six shooter gleam-
ed in the others hand.
Russell drew near until he was close
beside his pursuer. II took your horse,
! Harry" he whispered hoarsely, but
! / want you to believe me when l take
| my oath that this is the first time L
ever did steal a horse, no matter what
| they say about me-"
a, Il believe you" said Harry Barry,
with the old merry look in his eyes.
but I've promised to take you back
! with me just the same"
! Where to-" asked the other, hastily
| backing away.
! your pa-in-law wants that you and
| Louise should come to the ranch and
be married" said Harry Barry. all re-
! sentiment gone from his soul. for some
| how he could not blame Jim Russell
| for wanting to marry pretty Louise
Snyder, and anyhow. Harry reasoned,
! life was hard enough for folks with
out his making 1t any worse. Very
! likely Louise would be disappointed
in her dashing husband. and perhaps
Jim Russell would feel sometimes that
! the tyranny of old Casper Snyder
would be hardly worth the acquisition
of a wife, yet he knew that there
might be a foundation TO their love
which. would outlast these trials.
wants us TO come TO the ranch and
be-married. did you say, or be shot?'
demanded Jim Russell incredulously.
Married" repeated Harry Barry
firmly, land to be sure there won't
be any mistake about the matter I'm
going to ride over to Salt Petre and
fetch the sky pilot myself. I'll ride on
ahead If you want to fetch Louise"
God bless you, Harry muttered
Jim Russell under his breath. and
those words coming from him prom
ised a fairer future for Louise than
any one might have predicted.