The evening world., 1912-01-17

- ma told mo no, 20 play
with snakes. She says they bite little
boys. Do they
II reckon they Amt much particu-
lar who they bite returned Montan,.
with q furtive glance toward the ap-
preaching rider. only I expect they'd
n heap ruther bite boys than men
they're soma tenderer."
HIM" returned tho boy. He watched
Montana interestcdly as the latter
threw the hridia rein over HIS pony's
neck and prepared to Mount Then no
took several rapid steps toward him.
Couldn't you give me a rido on your
pony?' he said.
Montana flashed a grim smilo a. the
young man. II reckon not ho said:
that wouldn't be proper Just now. con-
siderin' that I've got some particular
business to look after. You waltz
One Of tho young mans arms went
slowly upward to cover his eyes and
his small body shivered with a signiii-
| canoe that Montana could not doubt.
That part OF his face which Montana
could see had suddenly wreathed Into
n most woe-bcsone expression. Prehm-
mary shudders warned Montana OF tho
approaching cataclysm.
Good Gawdl" he said. overcome by
the awful tragedy OF tina situation:
he's Roln' to cry"
81 want TO ride on you pony" poutcd
the young nan forescelng victory for
/ himself ia Montann's sudden dcnorall-
z,tion. But the deluge still threatened
For a Montana stood by
helplcssly, indecision and dismny work.
ing havoc with his desires. Then, per-
haps succumhing to the grim rechloss-
ness that Characterized him. ne
stepped briskly to tho boy. seized him
about the middle. and swung him
lightly into the saddle In another
instant no was up In front or MIN.
riding lclsurcly. while the boy chatter
ing with delight. steadicd himself by
holding Tightly to tho mans hips. And
now. having secured the coveted ride.
the hoy set himself about the task or
questioning the grim-eyed. deliberate
man who sat so loosely. yet so steadily.
In the saddle.
"Dld you come over hero on purpose
TO sec dadf"
Il reckon I ala"
when snakes bite do they Kill PEG
plc?"
yep"
Tho young man was silent FOR an In
slant. Them think II was n good
thing that YOU ala come over to SOC
dad he said. following out tho obvious
fact.
"why7" Montana gniled grlmiy into
space.
The boy twisted himself until no could
SEQ ono side OF tho mani face. "WhyY'
he said: don't you see? n you hadn't
como over to see dad tho snake would
have DIT ms?'
II reckon that's So" returned Mon
tana. you like your dad pretty much.
don't your"
you like your dad too. don't your"
returned the boy by way OF retaliation.
Il reckon I did-when I had one"
Don't everybody have n dad'"
Montana smiled. II reckon they do
at ono time Or another. 7 didn't have
mine long"
why"
"weil-er-he died klnd % sudden like
when I was n kid"
"Irm. How"
shot
The boy was silent for a brie: space.
Then ne shuddered. II hope my dad
don't &c. shot, no said soberly.
Montana was strangely silent. The
hoy did not SEQ his eyes: had he soon
them he might have marnelled at their
expression. But he felt the big frame
" the man culver and he listened In
deep surprise as he caught the solemn
tones Of his voice.
II reckon II wouldn't he Just a nice
~th,ng-for you. I didn't think OF that.
remainder ! wasn't exactly pleased
when I heard that my dad had been
shot"
The man on the pony was stili half a
milo away, hut riding hard. AZ tho rate
he was comlng not many minutes would
eIapse before he would cons up Mon
tana stsslthiiy swept his hands over his
pistol butts. careful hat they were
loose In the holsters The quick eyes
OF tho boy caught tho movement. and
he voiced his curiosity.
why do YOU carry two guns"
"why7 HIN. one might get broke"
"My dad only carries one. Do you
over shoot people,
Montana turned and smiled over his
shoulder NJ the boy.
~ reckon 7 amt so!n' 70 shoot you'
dad" he sl'l,
The boy hudiled closer 70 him. and
with a peculiar smile on his face, Mon
tans rode forward 70 meet tho oncom-
Ing rider.
The latter was now only a hundred
Yards away and coming slowly. lean'ne
far over IN lis a dilc. Montana could
sec the concern on his taco and his Owl
worked strangely.
81 reckon your dad viii rs glad 20 see
YOU" he said, and he stcalthily drew
tho boy closer.
I'm going TO tell Nm how you killed
tho snake-shall -" returned the boy
enthusiastically. "Yol ain't afraid OF