The evening world., 1912-12-20
The Coming of the Law
By Charles Alden Settler

turned Hollis. He said nothing mere
and Potter. having done his duty. felt
that he had no business to interfere
further.
Shortly after dark there was . eiat.
ter OF hoofs outside the Kicker once
and four men dismounted from their
ponies and STROBE to the once door
They were Norton, Ace. I.Anky and
Bud. Evidently Hollis had been swalt-
ing their coming. for he met them 1t
the door. greeting them with the words:
We'll be going at once: tie about
time"
Followed by Potter the hve strode
rapidly down the street When they
arrived at the Sherifrs once thsrs
were . number of men consregated
about tho door. Inside q kerosene
the centre of the room. Another lamp
stood on Watkins's desk. and beside
tho desk sat Watkins himself.
Conversation died away a. Hollis
and his mon approached the door and
stood In the stream OF light from the
interior. A man stepped out OF the
shadow Of the building and approached
Hollis. drawing him and Norton aside.
II was Allen.
The latter had iost some Of the
sprightliness that had marked his man
In the Kicker once that mornins-hs
was again the cool. deliberate. steady
eyed man he had bs0 that day In
Judge 0ransys once when Hollis had
met HIM the Arst time.
i've hsen victim for yUu." Ne said:
''ws'rs Goln' 10 have . scrumptuous
time. Dun,avsy's planning 10 pack her.
He swept . hand toward the dntsRios Of
the off'cA But each candidate 10 -
Be allowed two witnesses. rye selected
you two. Dunisvsy and Greasy are
doing the honors for watkins. We
might Just a. we'll 60 made; W. can't
do anything out here. There Won't be
anything done by any Of this gang IN
III Dunlavey says the word" III.
He turned and stepped into the shsnfs
once. Hollis and Norton following.
Watkins looked up and survsysA them
with . bland smile as they entered ana
dropped quietly into the several cha1Fs
that had been provided. -. 2,
to-nightr' significantly remarked wat,
kins. addressing himself TO Allen.
MAYBE" Grinned Allen. Aes , IS
We're Goin' to take . hand In hand
IN the law" sisn!ncantiy rssaArAsd
watksns's face REDEEMED. h stared
offensivs,y at Hollis.
Il reckon you're . witness too" hs
said. snserinE. WELL" he went on a.
that . witness to the count must be- q
resident Of the county. An reckon
You amt. You amt bscn"--
He stays" interrupted Allen short
iy. That's settled"
Watkinss face bloated With 4 sud
don anger. but he wheeled without ,s-
plying and save his attention to some
papers lying on the desk In front Of
him.
For . long time tho four at In
silence. Outside arose voices Of men
growing in volume. There was a fam
around the door. Isoo,ring out. Hollis
could sec tho bronsed. grim faces OF
the punchers as they crowded close.
moved by a spirit OF curiosity. HoEis
could hear ordinations OF impa thence.
though the majority Of tho men out.
side stood In silence. waiting.
Plainly nothing was to be done until
the arrival OF Dunlavey. And present
ly he came.
lie hsd not been a.!nk.ns: hs 70.
undeniably sober and self possessed.
As he entered the door Of the office
there was a sudden surge on the part
OF the crowd--several Of the mon tried
to force their way in behind Dun
lavey. But he halted on tho Threshold.
scow1ing back at them ana utterinG
the ono word. ''wstt'" The crowd fsiII
back At tho command ana watched.
Dunlavey stepped across the room,
standing beside watkins, his rap,a
glance noting the presence OF the three
members of the opposition. He ignored
Hollis and Norton. speaking to Allen.
No you're sure enough going 10 rum
no said. - =.
Sure returned Alen. He rose
Howly. stopped deliberately across the :
room. closed tho door. and stood with
his back To H.
We're all hsrs now ne said quietly.
AND want TO tank little. There amt
no one roing TO hear what rye rot 10
say but Them Tn going to say IL TO.
! reckon mat soesr' He turned 10
Duniavey.
Dunlavey had shown some evidence
OF surprise over Aliens action IN clos.
Ing the door, but this immediately gave
way TO sneer Of mockery. 'I rsckon
you've forgot Greasy" he said.
why. suro havsr' returned Alien
evenly He opened the door tribe and
Evidently Greasy had been WAITING a.
the door. for ne Immediately came in,
slouchins across the floor and STANDING
beside Watkins and Duniavsy. Allen
closed the door and adjusted the 6nsten-.l
ings carefully. Then he turned aSein
to Dunlavey.
Now wen proceed to DO the taikine.",
hs said. He walked over TO the chair
that he had previously vacated. dropoinG 4
carelessly into II ana leaning COM !,
fortsbly back His movements had been /,
those OF a man unauestionably sure OF
peace. The expression OF mis- sysa ne
tones Of his voice. his dslyberation hintsl
at a desire for a peaceful compromisN