The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-04-24


ing steadily seven hours. The thought
brought his blurred eyes again to the
horizon. Where could he be, the man
he sought In the heart OF this soil
tude? Surely he should be here by
now, II he had left the water-hole at
dawn. Could he have gone the longer
route, south to the Fork? The posi-
hility of such thing scared through
him like a hot iron. driving the dull
ness from his brain, the lethargy from
his limbs God. no! Fate could never
play such scuryy trick as that! The
man must have been delayed; had
tailed TO leave camp early-some'
where ahead. yonder whore the blue
haze marked the union OF sand and
sky. he was surely coming, riding hall
dead, and dropping in the saddle.
Again Keith rose in his stirrups,
rubbing the mist out Of his eyes that
he might see clearer. and stared
ahead. What was that away out yon-
der? shadow? spot dancing before
his tortured vision? or a moving. Nv
ing something which he actually saw?
He could not tell. he could not be
sure, yet he Strengthened up expect
antly, shading his eyes, and never
losing sight Of the object. 1t moved.
grew larger. darker. more real--yet
how Il crawled. crawled, crawled to-
ward him. II seemed as II the vague,
shapeless thing would never take
form. never stand out revealed against
the sky 80 he could determine the
truth He had forgotten all else-the
silent desert. the blazing sun. the
burning wind--all his soul concen-
trated on that speck yonder. Sudden,
ly II disappeared-ya swale In the sand
probably--and, when 1t rose into view
again, he uttered n cry OF joy--it was
IA horse and rider,
Little by little they drew nearer
one another, two black specks In that
vast ocean OF sand, the only moving,
living things under the brazen circle
Of the sky Keith was ready now. his
eyes bright, the cooked revolver
gripped hard In his hand The space
between them narrowed, and Hawley
saw him, caught glimpse of the face
under the broad hat brim, the burn
ing eyes surveying him. With an oath
he stopped his horse, dragging at his
sun, surprised. dazed, yet instantly
understanding. Keith also halted, and
across the intervening desert the eyes
OF the two men met In grim defiance.
The latter wet his dry lips and spoke
ghortly
4 reckon you know what this
means. flawley. and why am here.
We're southerners both OF US. and
NO settle our own personal affairs.
you've got to fight me now, man 70
man"
The gambler glanced about him, and
down at his horse. II he thought OF
sight Il was useless His lip curled
with contempt
Damn your talking, Keith he re
turned sayagely Lets have It over
with. and spurred his horse The
gun Of the other came up.
Watt" and lawley paused. drag
sing at his rein. One OF us most like
y is gong 20 die here; perhaps both,
But Il either survives hen need d
iorse to get out OF this alive, Dis.
mount; I'll do the same; step away
so the horses are out Of range. and
then wen fght II out--is thai
sqnare?r
Without word. his eyes gleamiue
With cunning hatred, the gambler
wltng down from his saddle onto thr
and, his horse interposed betweei
tim and the other. Keith did the
anne. his eyes peering across Tho
tack OF his animal
Now" he said steadily, when ]
cunt three drive your horse aside
nd let goare you ready7'
Damn YOU yes!"
Then look out-one. twol three,
The plainsmah struck his horse
with the quirt In his left hand and
prnng swiftly aside SO as to clear the
~ffa2k Of the animal, his shooting arm
iluns out There was fash OF fiamo
cross Hawley's saddle. sharp re
port. and Keith reeled backward
dropping to % knees. one hand clutch
ing at the sand Again Hawley fired
but the horse. startled by the double
report, leaped aside. and the ball went
Wild Keith wheeled about. steadying
himself with his outstretched hand
and let drive, pressing the trigger, un,
til, through the haze over his eyes, he
saw Hawley go stumbling down. shoot
ing wildly as he fell. The man never
moved. and Keith cndeavored to get
up, his gun still held ready. the smoke
circling about them. He had been
shot treacherously as a cowardly cur
might shoot. and he could not clear
his mind OF the thought that this last
act hid treachery also But he could
not raise himself, could not stand; red
and black shadows danced before his
eyes; he believed he saw the arm OF
the other move. Like snake ne
crept forward, holding himself up with
one hand, his head dizzIly rceling, but
his gun held steadily on that black
shapeless object lying on the sand
Then the revolver hand began 10
culver. 20 shake. TO make odd circles.
he couldn't see; It was all black, all
nothlngness Suddenly he went down
o.. l.4.