The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-03-11


laughter were drawn now into taut
lines.
The dawn grew paler and then flush
ed with the coming Of the 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 ven yeance each upon
the other saw nothing save the first
grim outline of the tall cottonwoods
that mark the entrance to Satan's
gulch. The trees grew larger and 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 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 over 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 slow to the farthest
point and leaned against rock.
I'm ready" he said carelessly.
Same here" returned his enemy
briskly.
There won't but one go back" said
Gabriel slowly. 81 s'pose there might
be a message to send"
An uncomfortable pause followed. At
last Crane spoke. 81 amt heard what
it was you was sore about" he said
grimly. II don't mind shooting a man
when 1 think he deserves it. But, con-
found you. Gabe, don't know what's
the matter with you"
you lie" returned Gabriel deliber-
ately.
"That's enough" remarked Crane.
Count ten"
He drew his revolver and leveled its
long blue barrel at his erstwhile friend.
Gabriel did likewise and slowly
counted ten.
There was binding fash 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 right arm.
Crane darted forward. snatched up
one 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, "I'll blow
some daylight into you"
The other glared back at him fierce
ly. "You mean to say you don't know
what's the matterT' 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."
"What did 1 say? Cranes face was
scarlet.
'She said you told her 1 was married
and didn't ought to be paying attention
to respectable widows. That's what
she said you said. And it's a blanked
lie, as you know l never was married
to nobody" Gabriel's 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 lie, Gabe?"
NO" snapped Gabriel.
"Do you believe me when say that l
never told that to the Widder Padrose?"
"Yes."
''Then what's your crouch about?"
Gabriel looked helplessly about him.
He saw the jagged rocks. the tufts of
verdure thrusting forth from the cram
MES, heard the lit 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
crumpled smile of anger and pity.
dash 1t all! Did l wing you, you
old cherub? Herer' Tenderly he as
sisted Crane to a reclining position,
CdS LID bACCNC anu Tie WOuuu
his bullet had made. Then he applied
his flask to Cranes compressed lips
and watched with concern his COM
rade's efforts to swallow. Forgetful of
the bullet that was in his own right
arm, he worked over the other until at
last Crane sat up, thin saturnine
smile curying his mouth.
"I'm all right now, Gabe. Get down
here and let me fix you up. / 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 stif1y, 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 meddlesome
crew.
Out OF the distance two horsemen
rode to meet them. One was Harry
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