Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-21

the land After ALL he had been born its BOSOM Its
spirit his birhrght. And had it not already been
gentle, and loving and generous to him? And, great
est of all possible gifts it had brought him to the love
of Mildred Tempeton Suddenly he saw that he owed
a vast debt of gratitude to this land. He had been
given life and love-. From his life and from his love he
must make return, to the tter1nos possible He must
He would
The bronco, subty conscious of the resurgen vlgor
of its rider heightened and made its stride brisk
and rushed along the level that stretched away
all sides to the shadowy mountains like dusky sea,
overhung by the immense dome of the bueback sky;
being studded with ever increasing multltudes of
exceedingly brilliant stars He soon IN sight OF his
little adobe house.
AS he dismounted he thinking not of his problem
or of his determination solve it. he thinking that
after he had attended his ponys needs he would walk
across the mile of mesa that separated him from the
Templeton ranch and again Mildred.
THROWING the bride lines forward over his pony's
head he entered the house to light lantern. Sim
ultaneously Mescal Bill Tarpey entered the main room
from door at the back which opened into little eanto
kitchen and storeroo where for the last half-hour he
had been patiently waiting. He carried lighted lamp,
which he placed on the table, saying:
"Good evenin', Padre I've come 70 give you mes
sage"
For a moment Wrightman shocked violently out of
his musing mood could not find his voice to reply; but,
"What is the message' he said at last, nervous
tremor in his tones that sent lazy, sneering smile
Pickering across Mescal Bills grim mouth.
ats short and sweet, said the gambler. I'm
committee of from the business OF San Juan,
who feel that it's time for you pull your freight We
don't like YOU nohow. We won't stand no buttn in
our plays You got to hit the trail much-o pronto"
as that all the message? asked Wrghtman. His voice
no longer shook. His eyes intenty studied Aescal Bill
"Aint that good an plenty? Well, no, it amt all,
at that" Mescal Bill put the table stub of lead
pencil and sheet of paper with which he had abored
yute Wriphtnan'S "HereS little
document you got sign 1t says, hereby promise to
leave Santa Cruz County and never come back more
Put your name to that Padre, and then we'll get
bosses and III you down the trail bit. Well?
"Tarpey don't to sign that paper
"Padre, don't what you mean-for you must!'
And with deliberation meant to be powerfully i'm
pressve elaboration that resulted from his knowledge
that the clergyman did not carry arms, Mescal Bill
slowly reached for his gum
He into the surprise of his life.
With rapid gertrude that any gunman of the South
west would have approved, the Rev. Thomas Wright
man drew forth Uncle Bill Tepleons sx-shooter and
eveled it firmly between Mescals astonished eyes and
in voice that denoted Enthusiastically die cuts out
con the strength and purpose of his will he snapped:
Hands up!'
Mescal Bill stuck them up nstantaneousy.
"Now, them don't sign that paper, but you do!
Take the pencil and sign! If your hand goes your
gun, fire.
The gambler picked up the pencil But to sign the
paper meant that he signed true warrant of expul-
sion from San Juan. where he had been prosperous;
for he knew there many who thought it high
time that he remove himself.
"Padre, he said @you VIM You called my bluff.
But it only joke.
"A mighty poor one. Sign the paper!"
"Just moment. Let tell you the straight of this.
The boys get into argument about your The
say you amt got any-you being a sky pilot and
tenderfoot. So it's staked that up here and
kind of try you. 1t was all joke, and"
THAT doesn't go, Tarpey!' said Wrghtman,
deeper ring of Indignation in his voice. which made Mes
cal Bill vince uneasily "Such joke might be played
hatu