The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-12

soft voice caused Scott TO flame up in
sudden passion.
NO. didn't! but called the turn
1uTt the same-she's Christie Mac
laire."
The marshal smiled.
"All right, little boy" he said sober
ly. Now you trot straight alor to
bed. Don't let me catch you on the
street again tonight. and I'd ADVISE
you not to pull another gun-youre
too slow on the trigger for this towl.
Come along, Doctor, and we'll get
Miss Maclaire to her hotel
He shOuldered his way through the
collected crowd, the other following.
Hope endeavored to speak, to explain
TO Fairbain who she actually was, real.
iz;ng then. for the first time. that size
name. Amidst the incessant noise
and confusion. the blaring of brass.
and the jangle of voices, she found II
Impossible to make the man compre-
hend. She pressed closer 10 him. hold
Ing mere tightly to his arm. stunned
and confused by the fierce uproar. The
stranger steadily pushing ahead of
them, and opening q path for their
passage, fascinated her, and her eyes
watched him curiously. His name was
an oddly familiar one, associated IN
vague memory with some of the most
desperate deeds ever witnessed in the
west, yet always found on the side of
tx
celVe that this quiet-spoken, mild-eyed,
gently smiling man could indeed be
tne most famous gun fighter on the
oorder, hated, feared, yet thoroughly
respected, by every desperate be-
tween the Platte and the Canadian.
Beyond the glare and glitter of the
metropolitan Dance Hall the noisy
crowd thinned away somewhat, and
the marshal ventured to drop back be-
side Fairbain. yet vigilantly watched
every approaching face.
Town appears unusually lively to-
night, BILL" observed the latter grave
ly, and the boys have got an early
start"
West end graders Just paid off,"
was the reply. They have been
whoopin' 1t up ever since noon, and
are beginning to get ugly. Now the
rest OF the outfit are showing up, and
there will probably be something in
teresting happening before morning.
wouldn't mind 1t so much If had a
single deputy worth his salt"
What's the matter with Bain?'
Nothing, while he was on the lob,
but Red Haggerty got him in Pony
Joe's' shebang two hours ago; shot
him In the back across the bar. Ned
never even pulled his gun"
I'm sorry to hear that; what be-
came Of Haggerty"
The marshal let his eyes rest ques-
t1oningly on the doctors face for an
instant.
We'll. I happened to be Just behind
Ned when he went" he said gently,
"and Red will be buried on Boots
Hill tomorrow. I'm afraid don't
give you much chance to show your
skill, Doc" with smile.
IF they all shot like you do, my
profession would be useless. What's
the matter with your other deputies?"
Lack OF nerve, principally, reck-
on; aint one Of 'em worth the powder
to blow him up. I'd give something just
now for fellow had down at Dodge
he was a man. Never had to tell
him when to go in; good Judgment
too; wasn't out hunting for trouble,
but always ready enough to take his
share. Old soldier In our army. Cap
tain, heard, though he never talked
much about himself; maybe you knew
him-Jack Keith"
We'll, reckon" in quick surprise,
"and what's more to the point, he's
here-slept in my room last night
Keith here? In Sheridan? And
hasn't even hunted me up yet? That's
like him, all right. but honestly want
to see the boy. Here's your hotel.
Shall you need me any longer?~
Better step In with US, Bin" the
doctor advised. your moral influence
might aid In procuring the Lady a de-
cent room"
II reckon - light"
AMY poSSSo 'SStucT uQ lu0 IuT00
rfckety steps leading into the front
hall. which latter opened directly into
the cramped office; to the left was the
wide-open bar-room, clamorous and
throbbing with life. A narrow bench
stood against the wall. with q couple
OF half drunken men lounging upon It.
The marshal routed them out with a
single, expressive gesture
wait here with the lady, Fairbain,"
he said shortly, land I'll arrange for
the room"
They watched him glance in at the
bar. vig1lant and cautious, ard then
move directly across to the desk
Tommy he said genially to the
clerk. i've just escorted lady here
from the train-Miss Maciaire-and