Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-08-10
-was 1t you. Ieftenant? By God.

no effort to find out. You tried muir
der. and there has been too much of
that done here already
What is it you mean-murder.
here?"
Yes. and I have no doubt you know
more about il than l do. Three men
have been assassinated here in the
dark-stricken down by the knife. and
the fourth barely escaped with a seri-
Gus wound
..Three killed? Who were they?"
IA Confederate lieutenant. a private
of the Third Ohio cavalry and Judge
Dunn. The man injured but not kill
ed was lem Donald"
1t seemed to me a new light almost
of exuItation leaped into the gray
eyes. but it vanished instantly.
My Godr' he exclaimed incredu-
lousy. who did it?''
caught his wrist. staring straight
down into his face.
That is what 1 want you to tell me.
Daniels" l said sternly. That feud
of yours is at the bottom of this thing.
l am going to have the truth out OF
you If have to choke 1T out"
AS God is my witness. leftenant. I
know nothing. l didn't even know of
the murders until you told me. I've
known OF this passage a long while.
and I've got reason enough to feel
hard against Their OIL judge. as well as
Jem Donald. but I've fought 'em fair
that is. fair accordin' ter Their way we
fight SIGH things out in Their mountings.
l amt no murderer, an l don't come
creepin' long in Their dark ter knife
anybody | went fer yer, but yer he'd
me trapped we're in this hole, an I
s'posed yer was one o. tibet outfit"
The evident earnestness of the man
brought me certain measure of faith.
Yet I could not entirely free him from
suspicion.
Where were you yesterday and last
night?"
''Scoutin' Lost Crick" he answered
promptly enough Las night / took
Il notion to look up my own people,"
| said nothing. and he went on.
They're purity well cleaned out.
aeftenant-killed an skipped. Some of
'em are hidin' out in Their mountings
an some hev gone inter Their army.
Dern If | amt bout all thet's left fit
ter keep matters bilin'. 'Twixt Their
war an hard luck. thet Donald crowd
has just bout cleaned US up. Burnt
my cabin too" He got up upon his
feet. his gray eyes burning like two
Goals of fire. but. by God, sir, I'm
yere ter be reckon'd with yit, an OF
Bill Daniels has got mighty big
score ter wipe out. Maybe l never
kin do it. but I'll git Jem Donald If l
hev ter ketch him in hell
Daniels 1 urged earnestly, al un-
derstand how you feel, but 1 know
Donald, and l cannot believe him
guilty of such an act. Come with me
to Jem Donald and let's find out the
truth. Will you do that. Daniels?"
And l held out my hand
He stared at me in a moments ST.
lence. apparently unable to find express
sion; then mouth and eyes hardened
Il reckon maybe yer mean WELL" he
said. but yer don't understand. I've
he'd houses burned afore," his voice
choked but somethin' IS happened ter
my wife an the kids; 1 can't find hide
ner hair of en-
Surely you do not think they have
been injured-done away with?''
lit wouldn't be Their first time SIGH
thing was done. Their women fight as
well as Their men in these mountings.''
Yes" / assented. remembering, II
have reason to believe it was a woman
house"
could hardly see the expression of
the mans face in the miserable light
of that smoking lantern when he leap
ed forward gripping me by the shout
der so fiercely that for the instant |
thought it an attack His voice alone
treasured me.
"A woman he cried Are you
SIRE? Did Won see herr"
Yes | answered, beginning to I'M
derstand his suspicion. Il saw her
twice-it was the haggard face of an
insane woman. with gray hair and the
widest eyes fmaginabl i was trail
ing her just now through this tunnel.
be your wife? Did she know of this
entrance?'
Yes he almost sobbed. his head
lowered. ..she knew He stared about
into the darkness. apparently dazed-
who else saw her? Did any one else
see her?"
"OnIy Jean Denslow.''
.-She saw her and said nothingT'
There was not a word said. DAN
iels-"
He buried his face In bis hands.
swaying on his feet Ike a drunken
man. Perhaps here and now was the
opportunity to end this century feud-
'.See here. Daniels and 1 grasped
lift his face to the light ct am not
ready to think this was the work of
your wife. but there ought to be some