Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1913-05-03

4 - =
semblnnc6 hetweeUf them
All the kindliness nAd gone from
their eyes. from the grimly set mouths,
and the little muscles about their bps
which, twitched sometimes IN silent
laughter were drawn now into taut
lines.
The dawn grew paler and then nuNh
ed with tho 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 vengehnce 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 ms they drew Dear.4
| The dun gray line which marked the
mouth OF the gulct 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 WINS a level
stretch OF sand, Here they could wreak
vengeapc for their. real or .fancied
wrongs. aud the sun would not be 10
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 Al last. when
there was no excuse for further delay,
Gabriel walked slowly to the farthest
point and leaned against rock II,
.tI'm ready" he said carelessly. "a
Same !. here" returned his enemy
briskly. 80
"'rhere won't but one go back" said
Gabriel slowly. IL s'pose there might
be message to send
An uncomfortable pause followed Al
iast Crane spoke 81 amt heard what
it was You WAS sore about" he said
grimly ii don't mind shooting Dinn
when | think he deserves 1t. Bnt. con.
found you. 'Gabe. don't Know what's
the matter with you" IL
'You liei" returned Gabriel deliber.
ately.
That's enough" remarked Crane
Count, ten ss1
He drew his revolver and leveled Its
long blue barrel at his erstwhile friend
Gabriel did likewise and slowly
counted ten.
There was blInding flash OF powder.
with "a Simultaneous report from the
two weapons. When the smoke had
cleared away the two reviewers were
lying on the sand and the antagonists
|. were each nursing alright arm 80.
Crane darted forward. ,snatched up
one Of the weapons With his left hand
and held 1T close to Gabriel's head
'.If you, don't tell me what's. eating
you.",. he. snarled,y apgrily. ...Pll blow
some daylight into you"
The other glared back at min fierce
ly. i.You. mean to, say. you don't know
what's the natter" ne demanded
why would be asking you. them"
=; Gabriel was silent fofa several sec
onds; then. he blurted out. '.It's what
you told Mrs Padrose. She told me
what you said the night of the doings
Ito theiminister's housey':.S 81.
What did a say n Cranes face was
scarlet
.She said you told her 4 was married
and didnitoiight to besp paying attention
to respectable widows That's. what
she said you said. And it's a bianked
''lie It's yodaknow I;nsver was married
to nobody" Gabrieis hand clRsped his
wounded afm,. ~
of course yehs amt married"
breathed Caae heavily as he .dropped
his left hand to his side. -Have
ever told you lie. GabeT
mo- snapped; Ga briei:
do yon believe me when l say that |
never told that TO the Wilder Padrose?"
YES .!t
Then what's your Crouch aboutr'
Gabriel looked heiplesasiy about hin |
He saw the jagged rocks the tufts OF
verdure thrusting forth from the Gran |
MES. heard the hit of the buebird and |
saw the azure sky OF the new day
His eyes dropped to Cranes face. pale |
and drawn with pain. aud his own
scowllng countenance broke into a |
crumpled smile OF anger and PITY. |
Dash 1t all! Did | wing you. yor |
old cherub? Herer Teuderly lie 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 com /
rade's efforts to swallow Forgetfui OF
the bullet that was In his own right
arm. he worked over the other until at
last Crane sat up. a thin saturnine
smile curving his mouth
..I'm all right now. Gabe Get down
here and let me fx you mp ! reckon
I'm Jest as good a shot as you arel''
An hour afterward the two rode
slowly toward the-' Lone Bnll Eaci,
right arm was bandaged stiffly. and
each revolver was thrust tn ieff
hand pocket
"As for that wfdder Padrose.'' be.
gan Gabriel. when Crane cut In roughly.
Dash the widders for a ineddlesoms
crew. . .isis - ~
Out. OF the distance two iIorseinen
rode to meet them, One was Harry
Barry, and the other was Tim Lewis.
At sight OF the two older men riding
together In. apparent friendiiness the
youngsters threw gp their bats and
whooped joyfully
What's worrying you two feliersY'
asked Gabriel With his old time. gent
atty f