The evening world., 1912-01-18

had comc n CLINT or grim
humor.
- ~ reckon I Amt scairt none
10 speak Of" he stated slowly. what
you've just said amt added none to
your chances of Twin to a ripe oil age.
You can't tell how soon I'll get tired OF
listenin' to your p~alavcr an poke a
hole IN your gas DON"
lie smiled siightly-a strange smile
that ended In "a dropping sneer.
The IIar Cross Company don own
the land hereabouts." he continued.
1T amt got any business sayin' that
n man can't come here an stake out
a claim. It's been some time since I
took up this here land. an I reckon
itli be some time BEFORE I get tired of
stayin' here. An when I do I'll clear
out Tntil that time there amt no
son-of-a-gun en- run me on. II they
try II thcre'll he u chancst to redui-
sitlon the unwlllin' mourners. | reckon
that'll be all"
McNca opened his mouth TO speak.
There amt nothin' moro to he said
declared Toban. his lips hardening.
There amt nothln' around Shallow
Bend that en- give you an excuse for
coming here again. An I reckon that
you're needed over at the rar Cross. II
aln't morc'n thirty seconds rido 20 tho
crossin'. an you've got just that time 10
get there. Othcrwlse'--he tapped the
butt OF hIa siN.shoutcr significantly.
Tho boy ceased drawing his crude
pictures and lay prone. watching.
listening - this singular conversation.
Mrs. Toban came from behind the door.
and with pale face watched McVea until
his pony took the opposite slope OF the
crossing with II rush. Then she came
out into the open. fear Tightening her
lips.
You hadn't ought to have done that.
Harvey" she said, coming close to
Toban: hell be sure to do you some
harm now"
Toban did not answer until ne had
seen McVea's pony disappear into the
space beyond the crossing. Then he
turned and smiled GrImly At his wife.
II reckon rs been comm . Ions
time" he said sravely: hes been
,ryin' 90 get ma ever since my bullet
got him In the shoulder. two years ago.
That g%unnshter he sent
The woman seized him tightly BY the
arm and pointed to the boy. nov on
his feet ana celebrating with a chubby
too all traces OF tho work upon which
h. had been engaged during the con.
v~ersation between his father and Nc
| yea. we ought 10 no away, IOE sIs
sake" she said family.
Toban shook his head 40 ne took her
by the arm and led her gently toward
the cabin.
Il reckon We won't Co." he said.
firmly. at alr't goin' 20 be said that
Toban ran away from n man who
ever toted a gun. An besides'-he
strolled tho woman's hair and wills
pered gently into her ear.
She blushcd and aid her head against
his shoulder. For an Instant they both
stood. their eyes softenlng rs they
rested upon tho boy. now coming to-
ward thcm-awed by the great. mys-
| teiious night hat was descending.
Wont he 30 tickled?' said Toban.
II.
Two weeks later. riding tho eastern
slope VI thu big basin In search Of
strays. the range boss came upon To-
ban. The two men met In a narrow
draw. and Tohan yielded the trail,
hating his pony until the range boss
should pass. But the latter halted his
pony likefise.
Il reckon you'll he movin' along
pretty soon now" he said. gravcly ey-
Ing the hester.
The latter smiled--a grim smile that
drew an approving grin to the range
boys's face. 80" he returned evenly.
9TH. or Mans been talkin' again"
Hes been talkin'.'' admitted the
range boss: he's been sayin' that
you've got I'll the Fourth OF July TO
make tracks out Of the Purgatory
Country. Other wise"--- The range
boss smiled with grim significance.
Yes" said Toban. with a mirthless
smile. 'he shid he'd get me" Ito
looked gravely at the range boss. But
! aln't g!vin' him no chancst.' no
added. his voice softening Just u tribe.
Il Amt rustlin' no COWS nor stealth
o Of his horses. lie can't get mo
that-a-way. An I'm lookln' out TO see
that he don't double cross rbe. he
aides. there's the woman. she's sickly
an cant travel none Just now, You
don't reckon that Id ask her to travel.
even IL the or Man was twlced as bad
as he is"
In his voice was a suspicion OF deep
feeling mingling Of savage resent
ment and a desire for manly sympa-
tuy. rho range boss caugh, me note
and palcd sllghtly around the lips.
Gee" Ne said eNplosively, Does
Tn" on Man recNon TO know
About the woman"
The range boss nodded. his rugged,
~cIther-llncl face masking some strong
emotion.
- RECKON not, returned Toban, u
didu't tel him. I amt ask!n' for his
| pity,'
you wouldn't get H." sad the range
boss grufny. the Or Mans pity don
amount 20 much Everything a man
ought to haze he's sold to the Bar
c.Usa Company. That time he sent that
Trinidad g%Lnnghter oEcr 20 re, you"-
# aln't forgcttin'." snapped roban
cine or Mans been right nolghborly.
BIt I amt in no hurry to make racks
away from the Bend
~ sou vas" returned the range
hos4. his glance rowing over the bony
b carcass ~ tde pony upon which tho
hester vas sitting. Il reckon that a y
u.c wouldn't take you very Far. You
ought 10 ne se,tin' another before long"
ro,,H sished. pat',ng the pony's
Haprll'- aftectlunat'iy. There's "A
heap of uo's ia OF Rust yet he said.
lLr's some skinny. an he a!n't lust
what you'd call lghtulH' fast. but he g
osrn over a heap of ground VITA mo.
an he = good for a heap more. | ain
gol1' 20 30, another hoss. an when
to- go. - 49, ~ s.HNn = a.