The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-11-25


thing when / see 1t. I'm more than a
lot sorry that things have turned out
like they have, for like YOU q heap.
] never liked no other girl An | was
Gguring that when this deal was over
I'd tell you about It, But | reckon
we've got to shuttle the cards again"
He removed HIS leg from the pommel
OF the saddle and urged his horse
nearer her.
An so you amt even goin' 10 take
the pony that I've brought over TO
you?" he insinuated After I've gone
70 the bother OF gentlin' him.
''Noi" she returned shortly.
He smiled, his lips strengthening
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 81 sure
had a time brealSln' this pony" he
said, SOS he'd have sense enough to
take good care of You when you was
rldin him. An l hate to lug him
back to the Triangular Bar for some
fool puncher to spoil. II | thought
you'd take him an ride him ia prom
ise not to shoot Dave Toban.
For an instant she sat regarding
him with surprise. Then her eyes
Mashed. She could not compromise
herself, by accepting the pony under
,1thesa, terms, and by accepting she
would save Tobans life. She looked
gravely at him.
VJ'Egew. ein / know that you would
.sr.oO .l.., nClF
wouldn't look at man who would
deliberately shoot another"
He answered her look with one
equally grave. Wen make It worth
somethin' for me to keep It," he re-
turned "If don't shoot Dave Toban.
will you agree to treat me like
wasn't a gun-man"
She looked sharply at him. II think
! can agree TO that" she said.
He smiled and spurred his horse
closer, reaching out a hand so that
she might clasp the ponys bride rein.
That's square Of YOU, ma'am," he
said "Ill see you again some day.
Solong." He bowed to her, smiled,
and spurred his horse away from the
porch loping 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 sudden pang shot
through her.
He had promised that he would not
shoot Dave Toban But there were
other ways OF killing a man.
Upon the morning of a day month
later, a man rode up to the gate OF the
Lazy l. corral fence, dismounted from
his pony. and strobe 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 six-shooter cleaned In one
hand. He smiled evilly.
Your eyes aln't half bad. Hubbard"
ne said. But you amt improved none
singin' your gun out" He now
FQEPVPu. lOu Bub any w dlEIi
with me. or WIS you just surprised
into maxim that fool move for your
gum"
Hubbard saaged 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
ml%zle Of Daggerts six-shooter, he
was compelled to admit that he had
no chance So he smiled weakly.
"Why | was sure some surprised.
seen' You turn up sudden hathaway
Daggert smiled. "Pd call that suf
ficiont" he said But instead of re
turning The weapon to it's holster he
tucked IT lightly between his shirt and
the waistband OF his trousers, in
front And his eyes showed that he
was not exactly convinced that Hub
bard's intentions were peaceable But
he carolessly drew a chair over near
the door ana dropped into IT, his thin
lips wreathing into a dropping smile.
He leaned back folding his arms over
his chest his attitude one Of unstudied
.ajl.
Anythlng doin'?" he asked
II wouldn't say that things IS hum
min" returned Hubbard cody
"No-o?" drawled Hubbard, his lips
twifching
MOI" dared Hubbard
Any strangers around|
Hubbards eyes glittered yengefuly.
"There an'f any strangers around,
he said, smiling erimy But there's
gou' to he I hear that Harye Tobans
brother is due to strike This country
pretty soon reckon he'd be some
tirkled to get a chance to talk some
10 you
Daggert laughed harshiy "Mebbe
he would" he sneered freeing one arm
ana pulling AT his chin with his fin
gers An mebbe you'd Ike 70 tell
him thai It was me vho put his broth
er out Of business" There was a
threat in his voice and he leanea still
further back in his chair ais eyes
chilling
Hubbard drew deep breath. He
sensed Tho danger of this interview
with be former Lazy l. cdn-man. but
~ answered quicly.
II ain't telliI Dave T0ban any
thing ne SAID But 10 hes comm
10 this tountrE hen fnd out soon