Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-09-05

me. and keith's voice had In Ii the
click Of a steel trap. You'll either
answer and answer straight. or Wen
hang you to that cottonwood in about
five minutes. If you want a. chance
Tor your miserable life you answer
me We have our way OF treating your
Kind out In this country. Sit up. you
brute, Now where did Hawley 20 aft
er he left your"
To Fort Larned."
After those fresh horses?"
Yes"
lie didn't bring them to you; /
know that. Where has he been since?"
ropeky and Leavenworth."
How do you know"
He writ me a note the boss herder
brought"
Hand It over"
Keith took the dirty slip of paper
the man reluctantly extracted from
his belt, and Fairbain lit matches
while he ran his eyes hastily over the
lines. AS he ended he crushed the
paper between his fingers. and walked
away to the end of the corral He
wanted to be alone, to think to decide
definitely upon what he ought to do
Hawley, according to the schedule
Just read, must have left Larned alone
early the day before; this night he
would be camped at the water hole.
with daybreak he expected to resume
his lonely journey across the desert
to the Salt Fork. For years Keith had
lived ,rfr
ways his thought had grown print
tive His code of honor was that OF
the border. tinged by that OF the South
before the war. The antagonism exist
ing between him and this gambler was
personal, private, deadly-not an ar
fair for any others-outsiders- med
die with. He could wait here. and
permit Hawley to be made captive:
could watch him ride unsuspectingly
into the power of these armed men.
and then turn him over to the law to be
dealt with. The very thought nause-
ated him. That would be a towards
act. leaving stain never to be eradi
Gated. No. he must meet this as
became a man, and now. now before
Hope so much as dreamed Of his pur
pose-aye. and before he spoke an
other word of love to Hope lie
wheeled about fully decided on his
course, his duty. and met Fairbain
face TO face.
Jack" the latter said earnestly.
Il read the note over your shoulder
and of course | know what you mean
TO do. A Southern gentleman could
oh
here TO beg you to let me have the
chance"
Your" surprised and curious
What greater claim on that fellows
life have you than -"
The pudgy hands of the doctor
grasped the plainsman's shoulders
ITS for Christie" he explained
brokenly. She was the one he tried
to run away with You-you know
how | feel"
Sure. ! know" shaking the other
off. vet not roughly. but it happcn-
ed to be Miss Waite he took. and so
this is my job, Fairhain. Besides. I've
vCt another scorc t. settle with him
He wasted little time upon prepare
uons-a few brief words OF instruc-
ton 10 Bristoe: a request to the doc
tor not TO leave Hope alone; the ex-
tracing Of a promise from the two
bar X men to return to Larned
with the prisoners. Then he roped
the best horse in the corral. saddled
and bridled him. and went into the
cabin. She had a light burning, and
met him at the door
i thought you would never come,
but they told me you were unhurt."
Not scratch. little girl; We have
been lucky bunch. But | have had
great deal to look after Now
shall be obliged to ride ahead as far
AS the water hole. and let you como
on with the others Il little later, after
you get breakfast. You can spare me
few hours. can't you?"
His tone was full of good humor,
and his lips smiling. yet somehow she
felt her heart sink, an inexplicable
fear finding expression in her eyes.