The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-04-06
BAD NEVINS

The pony had drunk It's nm. Nevins
returned the cup to the slicker and
swung back into the saddle. Refresh
ed, the pony took the opposite slope
with rush. emerging from the river
bed upon a small plateau studded with
mr. baisams and pines Nevins halted
and swung stiffiy from the saddle.
Then he yawned. stretched his 1.-the.
strong figure to its full height, and
again fumbled at the slicker. This
time he produced a razor, the tin cup.
a shaving brush and a small mirror
he flung the reins over the pony's
head and allowed IL TO browse the
dried river weeds that grew In the
crevices of the rocks. Then ne tied the
mirror TO one OF the branches of a
mr.. SO that IL swung on level with
his face. descended to the river bed
and filled the tin cup with water. RE-
turning TO the tree upon which he
had hung the mirror. he mixed a lath-
or with the shaving brush. the soap
and the water. Then he looked upon
the reflection OF his face in the mirror.
fThe snarl was gone. 1t it's place had
appeared a mocking, reluctant grin
One hand came involuntarily howard
and sought his brown. luxuriant mus
tache. II had been his one solace in
the long silence and the reaching dis
tances- Curling IL had been his chief
occupation during these times
reckon it's got to CO." he said ''I
amt goin' to take any chancst en- Nc
Yea KNOWN me-" His lips curied into
slow, unhumoroue smile. Il shore
wouldn't git no job IL he knowed me -
Disposing of the mustache was a
SLOW. laborious process. But IL was
on finally, and then he iathered his
chin and shaved as close as the scrap
ing razor would permit. When the
task was completed he stood for a mo-
inent gazing into the mirror at the
transformation. If he had not been
hn
doubted his own identity. The face
that he knew had been skeptical
snarling, insolent. The face that now
looked out at him from the glass was
er more handsome than he cared to
admit Yet he was strangely pleased
for as he looked the hard lips loos-
ened and a smile flashed back at him.
Il reckon that's a changed" he said
He Redeemed as he took n last glance
into the glass-em barrassed over the
contemplation of his own comeliness.
Il reckon that nobody could tell that
Bill Nevins had come here an that Lon
Dexter was goin' away
Approaching his pony, he opened
the slicker and deposited the tonsoriaI
kit within. Then he rolled the cyIin-
ders OF his two guns and hitched at
the cartridge belt that sagged over his
hips For moment he stood gazing
INTO the shimmerinE Western distance.
was the struggling. adobe headquar-
tiers OF the Bar Cross ranch-where
he was TO ask for a job. He smiled
grimly, strobe TO his pony. and threw
the reins over the saddle-horn.
Il reckon I'll be gittin' along"
The pony single-footed for an in
slant. reluctant 20 depart from the
shade of the trees. Then the spurs
rolled imperatively. and the animal
broke into slow canter
Swinging around sharp bend in
the trail. the pony snorted with sur
prise and went back upon it's launches.
AS in the case of the RATHER. Nevins
frightened the reins and swung one of
his heavy pistols TO a poise. search
ing rapidly with his ewes for the cause
ITS only me" said a passionless
voice. Il don't think you need to
shoot won't hurt you, I think
Nevins flung his weapon back into
the holster with snap OF disgust.
Then he rested both hands upon the
saddle-horn and gazed with dropping
jaws ut the apparition that had sud
denly confronted him.
'Shucks, It's a woman"
Framed in the dust-laden brush that
skirted the trail was n young woman
The wide felt hat that set jauntilN
upon her head was covered with alkali