Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-04-10
brothers. so close was the general re-

SSAio bSlWSSh tlNtill.
All the kindliness had gone from
their eyes. from the grimly set mouths,
and the little muscles about their lipS
which twitclled sometimes il silent
laughter We're drawn now into taut
lines.
The dawn grew pa.r' al then flush
ed with the comm" OF -, sun. The
whole world was alight With the red
dening glory. with the tonic sweetness
of the morning, but the two men rid
ing forth to do vengeance each upon
the other saw nothing ave the first
grim outline of the tall cottonwoodS
that mark the entrance to Satan'S
gulch. The trees grew larger inc took
definite shape as they drew nearer.
The dull gray line which marked the
mouth Of the gulch became an opening
which finally became large enough for
them to ride through into the rock in.
closed desolate place.
AT the farther end there was a level
stretch of sand. Here they could wreak
vengeance for their real or fancied
wrongs. and the sun would not be in
their eyes to dazzle their sight and
balk them of their revenge.
Slowly they ~dismounted. making
much delay YER the careful stalking
of their horses at a respectful distance.
fussing over the adjustment of saddles
and blankets and delaying in every
way the crucial moment. At last, when
there was no excuse for further delay,
Gabriel walked slowly to the farthest
point and leaned against a rock.
Pm ready" he said carelessly.
Same here" returned his enemy
briskly.
There won't but one go back" said
Gabriel slowly. II s'pose there might
be a message to send"
An uncomfortable pause followed. At
last Crane spoke. II amt heard what
it was you was sore about" he said
grimly. Il don't mind shooting a man
when think he deserves it. But. con-
found you, Gabe. l don't know what's
the matter with you"
you lie"! returned Gabriel deliber-
ately.
That's enough remarked Crane.
Count ten"
long blue barrel at his erstwhile friend.
Gabriel did likewise and slowly
counted ten.
There was a binding flash of powder,
with a simultaneous report from the
two weapons. When the smoke had
cleared away the two revolvers were
lying on the sand and the antagonists
were each nursing a right arm
Crane darted forward. snatched up
n of the weapons with his left hand
and held it close to Gabriel's head.
IF you don't tell me what's eating
you" he snarled angrily. "Tll blow
some daylight into you"
The other glared back at him fierce
ly. you mean to say you don't know
what's the matter?" he demanded.
"Why would | be asking you. then?"
Gabriel was silent for several Sec
onds; then he blurted out: Its what
you told Mrs. Padrose. She told me
what you said the night Of the doings
to the minister's house."
NulL ulO L say OIduG 5 lace was
scarlet.
'She said you told her l was married
and didn't ought to be paying attention
to respectable widows. That's what
she said you said. And it's a BANKED
lie, as you know I never was married
to nobody" Gabriels hand clasped his
wounded arm.
"Of course you amt married."
breathed Crane heavily as he dropped
his left hand to his side. Have |
ever told you a lie. Gable"
No" snapped Gabriel.
do you believe me when l say that |
never told that to the Wilder Padrose:'
"Yes."
Then what's your crouch ahout?"
Gabriel looked helpleSsly about him.
He saw the jagged rocks. the tufts Of
verdure thrusting forth from the Gran
MES. heard the Tilt Of the bluebird and
saw the azure sky of the new day.
His eyes dropped to Cranes face. pale
and drawn with pain. and his own
scowling ~countenance broke into a
crumpled smile of anger and pity.
Dash it all. Did | wing you. you
old cherub? Herer!" Tenderly he as.
sisted Crane to a reclining position,
cut his sleeve and bandaged the wound
his bullet had made. Then he applied
his flask to Cranes compressed lips
and watched with concern his CON-
rade's efforts to swallow. Forgetful Of
the bullet that was in his own right
arm. be worked over the other until at
last Crane sat up. a thin saturnine
smile curving his mouth.
Pm all right now. Gabe. Get down
here and let me fix you up 1 reckon
I'm jest as good a shot as you are"
An hour afterward the two rode
slowly toward the Lone Bull. Each
right arm was bandaged stifly, and
each revolver was thrust in a left
hand pocket.
"As for that Wilder Padrose,' be-
gan Gabriel, when Crane cut in roughly:
Dash the widders for a meddlesome
crew.