Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-25
The Daily Story
TWO MAKE A QUARREL-BY DoR0THEA HALE
Copyrighted. 1919 by Associated Literary Bureau

which finally became large enough for
them to ride through into the rock in
closed desolate place.
At the farther end there was q 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 slowly to the farthest
point and leaned against a rock. a.
I'm 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 uncomforta BILE 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. col
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
We're each nursing right arm.
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 angrily, I'm blow
some daylight into you"
The other gared back at him ferce-
ly. You mean to say you don't know
what's the matter?" he demanded.
why would he asking you. then"
Gabriel was silent for several sec.
you told Mrs. Padrose. She told ma
what you said the night of the doings
to the minister's house"
What did l 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 a blanked
/ lie, as you know l never was married
! to nobody" Gabriers hand clasped his
wounded arm.
"Of course you amt married."
breathed Crane heavily as he dropped
his left hand to his side. Have I
ever told you a lie, Gabe?"
NO" snapped Gabriel.
"Do you believe me when I say that
never told that to the Wilder 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 Gran.
MES, heard the lit OF the bluebrd 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 q
crumpled smile of anger and pity.
dash it all! Did 1 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 COM
rades 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, a thin saturnlne
smile curving his mouth.
I'm all right now, Gabe. Get down
here and let me FIX you up. 1 reckon
I'm jest as good shot as you areT'
An hour afterward the two rode
slowly toward the Lone Bull. Each
right arm was bandaged stifiy, and
each revolver was thrust in a left
hand pocket.
"As for that Wilder Padross," be.
gan Gabriel, when Crane cut In roughlyi
Dash the widders for a meddlesome
crew.
Out Of the distance two horsemen
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 friendliness the
youngsters threw up their hats and
whOoped joygully.
whats worrying you two feliers p
asked Gabriel, with his old time GEM
atty.
Heard the news?" asked Harry
Barry, with a desire to avoid person
alitles
what news"
THE Baptist minister has married
, his housekeeper Mrs. Padrose. What
, do you think Of that, ehT"
Crane scratched his chin thought
fully. 81 think I'll call on the minister
and extend my hearty er - condo
lences," he said
: Then he and Gabriel INDUCED in q
left armed handshake.