Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1913-03-07

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whule wnrld was nileht with the rel
deniur glory. with the tonlc sweetness
ef the moinlna hut the two men rid
ing forth 10 10 vengeance each npun
the other saw nothing save the first
grim outline ~ the tall cottnnwonds
that mark the entrance 10 Satans
snlch The trees grew iarger and fouk
definite shape rs they drew nearer
The dun gray line which marked the
mouth of the gulch he,nme M opening
which finally hecame large enough for
them to ride through into the rock In
rlnscd deSolate plas'e
At the farther end there vas level
stretch Of sand Here they could wrcak
Vengeance for their real or fancied
wrongs. ana the sun wonld not be in
their eyes 10 dazzle their sight aud
baik them Of their revenge
Slowly they dIsmounted. making
much delay over the careful stalking
Of their horses at n respectful distafre.
fussipg over the adjustment of saddles
and blankets aud delaying in every
way the crucial moment At last. when
there was no excuse for further delay.
Gabriel walked slowly to the farthesf
point and leaned against q rock
I'm ready" he said carelessly.
'Same here" returned his enemy
hriSxly.
There won't bnt one 80 back" said
Gabriel slowly. 4 spose there might
be message to send
An uncomfortable pause followed At
last Crane spoke 4 Amt heard what
it was you was sure about" he SAID
grimly. Il don't mind shooting unu
when ! think he deserves II. But tsin
found you. tiabe. don't know whats
the matter with YOU"
you lie" returned Gabriel deliher
ately,
That's enough." remarked Crane
Count ten .
He drew his revolver and Ieveled its
long blue barrel al 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 revolgers were
lying on the sand and the antagonists
we're each nursing right arm.
Crane darted forward. snatched up
one Of the weapons with his left hand
aud held it close to Gabriel's head
II You don't tell me what's eating
you" he snarled angrily, "l'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 natter" be demanded.
why wonld be asking you, them
Gabriel was silent for several sec
onds; then he blurted out; IT'S whal
you told Mrs. Padrose. She told me
what you said the night Of the doings
to the minister's house"
what did ! say?' Cranes face was
scarlet.
''She said You told her ] was married
and didn't ought to be paying attention
to respectable widows. That's what
she said you said And it's blanked
lie. us you know | never was married
to nobody Gabriel's hand clasped his
wounded arm.
'Of course you amt married
breathed Craue heavily as be dropped
his left hand to his side. Have /
ever told you lie. Gabe?"
NO. snapped Gabriel.
do you believe me when ! say that /
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
yerdure thrusting forth from the Gran
nies, 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
scowllng eountenance broke into a
crumpled smile of anger and pity.
Dash II all. Did wing you. yan
old cherubg Herer Tenderly he as
sisted Crane to 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 bis com
rade's efforts to swallow Forgetful OF
the bullet that was In his own right
arm. he worked over the other until AZ
last Crane sat up. a thin saturnine
smile curving his mouth
I'm all right now. Gabe. Get down
here and let me fix you up. reckon
Pm Jest MS good a shot as you arer'
An hour afterward the two rode
slowly toward the Lone Bull Each
right arm was bandagpd stitiiy, 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 meddIesom
crew.
Out Of the distance two horsenen
rode to meet them One was Harr,
Barry. and the other was Tim Lewis
At sight Of the two older men ridini
together in apparent friendIiness tht
youngsters threw up their hats and
whooped joyfulIy
whats worrying you two feilers?r
asked Gabriel. with his old time genl
ality.
Heard the news?" asked Harry
Barry. with desire to avoid person
alities.
.aVyhaf nau-, ..