The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-01-18

ingiy.
Charlie? Oh, you mean the Kid?
Well, he amt here ter-night; had q
weddin', an is toun' the bridal
couple round"
Fairbain swore discreetly under his
breath, and cast an uncertain glance
at the slender figure shrinking beside
him. The streets of Sheridan were
not over pleasant at night.
only hack in town is somewhere
else, Miss" he explained briefly. Il
reckon you and will have to hoof it,"
He felt the grip of her fingers on his
sleeve.
The boys are little noisy but it's
Just their way-dont mean anything
you hang on to me, an keep the veil
down-we1l be there in the shake of .
dogs tail"
He helped her over the muddy
crossing, and as they reached a stretch
of board walk, began expatiating on
the various places lining the way.
That's the Mammoth over there
dance hall back of it-biggest thing
west of the Missouri-three men killed
there last week-what for? Oh, they
got too fresh-that's the Casino and
the one beyond is Pony Joe's Place
cut his leg off since I've been here
fight over a girl. Amt there any
stores sure; they're farther back
you see the saloons got in first-that's
'Sheeny Mixes gambling joint you're
looking at-like to go over and see
'em play? All right, just thought I'd
ask you-it's early anyhow, and things
wouldn't be goin' very lively yet. Say,
there. you red head, what are you try
Ing to do?"
The fellow had lurched out of the
partially aside the girls veil, per
hitting the glare of "Sheeny Mikes"
lights to fall full upon her revealed
face 1t was accomplished SO openly
as to appear planned, but before he
could reel away again, Fairbain struck
out, and the man went down. With
an oath he was on his feet, and Hope
covered back against her protector.
Each man had weapons drawn, the
crowd scurrying madly to keep out of
the line Of fire, when. with a stride, a
new figure stepped quietly In between
them. Straight as an arrow, broad
shouldered, yet small wasted as a
woman, his hair hanging low over his
coat-collar, his face smooth shaver
except for a long moustache, and
emotionless, the revolvers in his belt
untouched. he simply looked at the
two and then struck the revolver out
of the drunken mans hand. 1t fell
harmless to the ground.
And don't you pick it up until I
tell you, Scott" he said quietly. II
you do you've got to fight me-"
Without apparently giving the fel-
low another thought, he wheeled and
faced the others.
"Oh, it's you, is it. Doctor? The
drunken fool won't make any more
trouble Where were you taking the
LADY,"
ITO the hotel, Bill"
"I'n walk along with you. l reckon
the boys will give us plenty of room
OFSA thC NiO"u, anu thOA
more directly at Scott.
Pick up your gum" the brief words
swapping out. This is the second time
I've caught you hunting trouble. The
next time you are going to find 1t. |
saw you run into this lady-what did
you do it for?'
81 only wanted to see who she was,
Bill"
"You needn't call me Bill. l don't
trot in your class. My name is
Hickock to you. Was 1t any of your
affair who she was?"
Il reckoned l know'd her, and l
did"
The marshal turned his eyes toward
Hope, and then back upon Scott, EVIL
IDENTIFY slightly interested.
$50? Recognized an old friend, l
SUPPOSED"
The slight sheer in wild Bills"
soft voice caused Scott to flame up in
sudden passion.
mo. didn't! but called the turn
tust the same-she's Christie Mac
laire."
The marshal smiled
"All right, little boy" he said sober
ly. Nov you trot straight along to
bed. Don't let me catch you on the
street again tonight. and I'd advise
you not to pull another gun-you're
too slow on the trigger for this town.
Come along, Doctor, and wen 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
izing then, for the first time, that she
had not previously given him her
name. Amidst the incessant noise
and confusion, the blaring Of brass,
and the janSle Of voices, she found It
impossible to make the man compre-
bend. She pressed closer to him, hold
ing more tightly to his arm. stunned
and confused by the fierce uproar. The
stranger steadily pushing ahead 81
them. and opening . 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
cd <1a>v. -~~ Al@ e. Aava.