The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-07-19
CHAPTER xxl.-(Continued.)

He s%houldered his way through the
collected crowd. the other following.
Hone e~ndeavored TO speak. 10 explain
To Fairbain who she actually was, real
tzing then, for the first time. that size
had not previously given him her
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-
bend. She pressed closer TO him. mold
ing more tightly to his arm. stunned
and confused by the fierce uproar. The
stranger steadily pushing ahead OF
them, and opening a 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
law and order; 1T was difficult TO con-
ceiye hat this quietspoken. m~ild-eyed.
gently smiling nan could indeed De
the most famous gun fighter on the
border. hated, feared. yet thoroughly
respected, by every desperate De-
tween the Platte and the Canadian.
Beyond the glare and glitter OF the
Metropolitan Dance Hall the noisy
crowd thinned away somewhat. n
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 on.
Was the reply. They have been
whoopin' il up ever since noon, and
are beginning 10 get ugly. No~ the
rest OF the outfit are showing up. and
there will probably be something in
teresting happening before morning
Wouldn't mind IL so much II ! had a
single deputy worth his salt"
What's the matter with Balm?
Nothing, while he was on the job,
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 Il hear that; what be-
came of Haggerty?"
The marshal let his eyes rest ques-
tioningly on the doctors face for an
instant.
Well, | happened 20 be just behind
Ned when he went" be said gently,
s~-l aD1l, mill y. hnvfaA m spnnf@
Hnr tomorrow. I'm afraid | don't
give you much chance to show your
skill. Doc" with a 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'
en-: amt one OF 'em worth the powder
to blow him up. I'd give something just
now for a 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, I heard, though he never talked
much about himself: maybe you knew
him-Jack Keith"
Well, | reckon" In quick surprise
land what's more TO the point. he.
here-slept In my room last night"
Keith here? In Sheridan? Ant
hasn't ever hunted me up yet? That!
like him, all right. but I honestly wan
to see the boy. Here's your hotel
Shall you need me any longer!"
Better step IN with us, Bill" tn
doctor advised. "your moral %influenc
might aid In procuring the lady a d.
cent room"
II reckon II might"
They passed together up the thre
rickety steps leading into the from
hall. which latter opened directly Int
the cramped Office; to the eft was tn
wide-open bar-room. claraorous an
~throbbing with life. A narrow benc
stood against the wall, with a coupl
q hAls drunken mer lounring upon
The marshal routed them out with
single. expressive gesture.