The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-04-17

ed giant who had guarded Hope from
! Sheridan.
What is your manner" he asked
sharply
The man looked up scowling.
'Hatchett," he answered gruffiy.
Well, Hatchett, am going to ask
you a question or two. and advise you
10 reply jdst about as straight as you
know how. am in no mood tonight
Tor any foolishness. Where is Black
Bart Hawley?'
How in he'll should know"
you do know, just the same. Per-
haps not to an inch, or a mile, but
you know near enough where he is,
and where he has been since you left
Sheridan"
III do, I'm damned II I'll tell you"
mo? Well now, Hatchett, listen to
me" and Keith's voice had in 1t the
click of steel trap. You'll either
answer, and answer straight, or well
hang you to that cottonwood in about
five minutes, II you want chance
for your miserable life you answer
kind out in this country. Sit up, you
brute! Now where did Hawley go aft
er he left your"
ITO Fort Larned."
After those fresh horses2"
Yes" .-a1.ls
He didn't bring them to you; L
know that. Where has he been SINGER"
"ropeky and Leayenworth,"
How do you know" ~
He writ me 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
mis- lonely journey across the desert
to the Salt Fork, For years Keith had
lived primitive life, and in some
ways his thought had grown primi-
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 af-
lair 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 towards
act, leaving stain never to be eradi-
Gated No. he must meet this as
became 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. He
wheeled about fully decided on his
course. his duty, and met Fairbain
face to face. ,
Jack" the latter said earnestly,
II read the note over your shoulder,
and of course know what you mean
to do. A Southern gentleman could
not choose otherwise. But I've come
here to beg you to let me have the
chance"
Your" surprised and curious.
What greater claim on that fellows
life have you than II"
The pudgy hands OF the doctor
the plainsman's shoulders.
TITS for Christie" he explained
She was the one he tried
to run away with. You-you know
how | feel"
Sure, know" shaking the other
,ff, yet not roughly But 1t happen
ID to be Miss Waite he took, and so
his is my job, Fairbain. Besides, I've
yof another score to settle with him."
He wasted little time upon prepare
ions-a few brief words of instruc-
Ion to Bristoe; request to the doc
or not to leave Hope alone: the ex-
racting OF a promise from the two
Bar x" men to return to Larned
With the prisoners. Then he roped
he best horse In the corral, saddled
md bridled him, and went INTO the
'abin. She had a light burning. and
net him at the door
Il thought you would never come,
nut they told me you were unhurt"
Not a scratch, little GIRL we have
zen a lucky bunch. But have had
great deal to look after. Now
hall be obliged to ride ahead as far
s the water.hole, and let you come
n with the others a slittle later, after
ou get breakfast You can spare me
few hours, can't you?"
His tone was full of good humor.
nd his lips smiling, yet somehow she
cit her heart sink. an inexplicable
ear finding expression In her eyes,
"But-but why do you need to gol
ouldn't some of the others2'
There is a reason which will ex-
lain later" he said. more gravely.
Surely you can trust me, Hope. and
sel that | am only doing what IT
GEMS absolutely necessary for me to
OF He bent down and kissed her.