The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-07-26

the roads Of Scratchum unless he was
predestined to live there by landing
on the county records before he had
chance to call his life his own.
Checking the mare. she drew to one
side OF the road. laundering down
the road came Bill Ames on his white
horse, head down, wheezing at every
step. Bill stopped and slipped OF the
saddle with a smothered curse, as the
horse crashed down on its shoulder
heavily.
What did you ride him so hard
for?" called out Nan. He'll just give
one good wheeze, now. and pass
over"
Bill had started back at the sound
of a voice so near him, but laughed
as he recognized the owner.
Better loan me Gypsy Belle to go
along on. Nan. II certainly need her
tonight"
What forT" Mans tone was full of
innocent inquiry.
The youngster tried to pull his wits
together His brain was full of burst
ing lights and shooting agony. Some
where in the muscles around his col
lar bone lay Taller bullet Another
had clipped a trail down his back, and
his ear stung as II a hornet had land
ed on 1t.
There's sport on Scratchum to-
night, Man." he said. clumsily. "The
Tailers are all out coon hunting"
Don't go any further, Bill. Come
along home with me-"
l. ''Why9" he retorted. DO you care,
Nan? Honest, do you carer"
Don't touch me, Billie" She
shrank back against the warm side Of
Gypsy Belle. 81 can't care for any
body. I'm just old Nate Whippley's
girl Pops promised me. and given
papers on 1t. too"
Promised you to who?"
"Griff Taller. Oh, Billie, don't"
His strong arms held her to him
closely. Pressing one cheek against
her thick braids of fair hair. he forgot
all the Taller tribe. and their ways
of ambush.
What do you care for the old man,
or any of that lot down in the valley,
Nan, honestly2" he whispered. I'VE
don't have to live here on old Scratch
um the rest Of our natural days.
can get work In any sawmill in the
Cumberlands. Come along with me,
and"
Mans fingers stole tenderly to his
curly hair. stroking 1t back from his
face, and then down to his coat, and
stopped. There was a withered rose
In the buttonhole of the lapel.
who gave you that rose, Billie?"
Bill, unused to the ways of the sex,
told the simple truth.
Got 1t this afternoon down at Rocky
Bend"
"Schoolma'am gave 1t to you, didn't
she? Don't you want another one on
the other side from me, SO you can
show them both down at Potter's
store Saturday night?"
Her hand came across his ears in a
swift box. and Bill stood back.
Man, listen"
"No. won't listen to none Of your
lies, Billie. You Jest get down that
road, and take your medicine. reck-
on it's coming to yJu when you amt
got any better sense than to come to
me and talk sweet streak, with that
girls rose still sticking in your but
tonhole."
A voice came clearly out Of the
laurel thicket above her head. :.
'Tll try to hit 1t the first time
Man."
There was a binding flare, a pun
of smoke. and Bill tried to push the
girl behind him. His shoulder was
filed with pain like red hot live
wires, but he leveled his gun and
fired up at the green laurel. Back
came the swift answer, but not SC
surely. Bill wondered why there was
the roar of surging waters in his ears
like the Upper Bend In a spring
freshet, why he could not see to aim
why Nan kept standing there beside
him instead Of beating to cover.
He fell forward at her feet, and
Nan, her face dead white, lips drawn
back from her pretty white teeth
seized his rife, and lifted It to heI
own shoulder.
You clear out Of that laurel thick
ct. Grin Taller" she called. I'm do