Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-16
He smiled. his lips STRENGTHENING

He smiled, his lips Strengthening a
little. Il reckon you wouldn't want to
see Dave Toban shot?" he said.
MOI" she admitted, shortly and ear
nestly.
He leaned forward little, looking at
her with cold, grave eyes. Il sure had
time breakin' this pony" he said, 80
J he'd have sense enough to take good
care Of you when you was ridin' him.
An hate to lug him back to the Trl-
angular Bar for some fool puncher to
spoil. If thought you'd take him an
ride him I'd promise not to shoot Dave
, Toban."
/ For an instant she sat regarding him
with surprise. Then her eyes flashed.
She could not compromise herself by
accepting the pony under these terms,
and by accepting she would save To-
bans life She loked gravely at him.
How do I know that you would keep
that promise?" she asked. II wouldn't
look at a man who would deliberately
shoot another"
He answered her look with one
equally grave. We'll make it worth
somethin' for me to keep it." he re-
| turned. IF 1 don't shoot Dave Toban,
will you agree to treat me like wasn't
a gun-man?"
She looked sharply at him. Il think
I can agree to that" she said.
He smiled and spurred his horse
closer, reaching out a hand so that she
might clasp the pony's bride rein.
That's square Of you, ma'am," he
said. "Tll see you again some day. So
long" He bowed to her, smiled, and
spurred his horse away from the porch
Looping rapidly out on the plains toward
the Triangular Bar.
For five minutes she sat on the porch
holding the rein he had given her. Then
a sudden pang shot through her.
He had promised that he would not
shoot Dave Toban. But there were
other ways Of killing a man.
w
| Upon the morning OF day month
later, a man rode up to the gate OF the
Lazy l. corral fence, dismounted from
his pony, and strode to the door Of
Hubbard's office. The manager had
been occupied with some accounts,
and he had not seen the newcomer
ride up. But at the noise Of his en-
trance Hubbard raised his head. His
lips Strengthened a little, and his face
whitened.
Bill Daggert!" he said hoarsely. He
raised himself half out Of his chair,
and one hand dropped suddenly to his
holster.
| The newcomer moved slightly, and
a heavy shooter cleaned In one
hand. He smiled evenly.
your eyes amt half bad, Hubbard"
he said. "But you amt improved none
slingin' your gun out" He now sneer-
ed. "You got anything to arger with
me, or was you just surprised into
maxim that fool move for your gum"
Hubbard sagged back into his chair.
At sight Of Daggert his thoughts had
gone instantly to his daughter, and to
a recollection of the insult Daggert
| had offered her. And on the Impulse
Of the moment, he had intended using
his gun. But now, looking into the
muzzle of Daggert's six-shooter, ne
was compelled to admit that he had no
chance. So he smiled weakly.
| why, was sure some surprised,
seein' you turn up sudden that away
| Daggert smiled. I'D call that suffi-
cient," he said. But instead Of return
ing the weapon to its holster he tucked
1t lightly between his shirt and the
waistband Of his trousers, In front,
| And his eyes showed that he was not
exactly convinced that Hubbard's In
tentions were peaceable. But he care
lessly drew a chair over near the door
and dropped into 1t, his thin lips
wreathing into a dropping smile. He
leaned back, folding his arms over his
chest, his attitude one of unstudied
ease.
Anything doin'?" he asked.
81 wouldn't say that things is hum
min'," returned Hubbard coldly.
"No-o?" drawled Daggert, his lips
twitching.
| mol" flared Hubbard.
| ANY strangers around?"
Hubbard's eyes glittered vengefully.
There amt any strangers around" he
said, smiling grimly. But there's goin'
to be. I hear that Harve Toban's broth
er is due to strike this country pretty
soon. I reckon he'd be some tickled to
get a chance to talk some to YOU"
Daggert laughed harshly. "Mebbe
he would" he sneered, freeing one
arm and pulling at his chin with his
fingers. "An' mebbe you'd like to tell
him that It was me who put his broth
er out of business?" There was a
threat in his voice, and he leaned still
further back in his chair, his eyes
chilling.
| Hubbard drew a deep breath. He
sensed the danger of this interview
with the former Lazy L gun-man. But
| he answered quietly.
II amt tellin' Dave Toban any
thing" he said. But II he's comm to
this country, he'll find out soon enough
that it was you who shot his brother
| Daggert grinned. AN so Dave To-
bans comin'?" he sneered. "Only he
amt got here yet" He grinned again,
sardonically. i've heard tell that he's
here already; that he's been over In
Dry Bottom, lookin' for me-"
| Hubbard smiled. "Mebbe he is," he
returned his voice betraying satisfac-
ton. But If he is he's keepin pretty
| quiet. He amt been around here"
| Daggert snarled. You're liar!" he
snapped, his eyes cold and alert. Hes
been around here an you've told him
about me putin his brother out OF
business. He's been over to Dry Bot
tom gassin' about me. An there wasn't
anyone knowed about me shootin' his
brother but you an Devlin. An Dew
lin amt givin' things like that away"