The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-09-26

his hand heavily on Paul's shoulder, Il
admire your grit-if you knew what
you was doing. If you didn't, you'd
best borrow my mare-mind you send
her back-and beat it for Goldmine.
Clancy's in town and he's as like as
not to come to the dance"
Il don't know anything about Clan
cy,' said Paul, or why | should leave
town because of him.
Il guessed you didn't" answered
Brown. Now listen while | tell you.
and then clear out. Miss Bessie is
Clancy's girl, and he's the best shot
in Arizona. If he knew any man had
danced with her or spoken to her, ex-
cept in the most Urinary way, he'd
spit him as Id spit a mad dog. You
wouldn't have no chance to draw on
him. That's Clancy. See. That's
why them boys don't want to stir up
no trouble with Clancy. Now take my
advice and git, because | runs q re-
spectacle hotel and | don't want no
trouble here"
Thanks" said Paul brusquely, and
went back to Bessie.
II know now" he said. "I hear Mr..
Clancy's in town and that he might
object to my dancing with you. May
| have another dance, Miss Bessie?"
The girl rose and something in her
eyes answered the plea in his. II
meant, to Paul, that she was willing
to trust her future to him, that Clan
cy's domination meant less than moth
ing to her The music started and
they went whirling over the polished
floor.
Suddenly the music quavered and
stopped. Paul discovered that Bessie
and he were dancing alone, and, since
the music showed no signs of resum.
ing, they ceased also. They were
quite alone in one corner of the room,
and every one else seemed to have
drawn away as if by instinct.
Then into the room there strobe q
little man, quickg gated, with the man.
ner acquired by the plainsman. In his
belt he wore two revolvers prominent
ly displayed
Hello. Brown he said with ia.
miliar nod He motioned to the mu.
sicians and the music resumed. He
walked into the thick of the crowd and
touched girl upon the arm. She
surrendered herself TO him. and he led
the dance again
Paul watched him as they circled
round and round. The outlaw seemed
not to notice him. II was not until
tn dance was ended that he caught
sight of Bessie
Cit out,' he said to Paul, and pull.
ed the gin toward him. Paul's fist shot
out and The man dropped at his feet.
AS he fell he pulled a revolver from
his belt, but beia"e he could aim ii
the mob of men haG fallen upon him.
The room became struggling pan.
demonum Paul pulled Bessie through
the surging crowd, got her to the door,
and led her to where his horse stood
tethered No one was following them,
but inside the d2ncc hall pandcmonium
still held sway Paul took off his
horses headstall and swung his part.
ner into the saddle Then he mounted
behind her and in a moment they were
cantering across the plains under the
starlight
She made no resistance, but by the
light OF the heavens he could see that
her eyes were open and looking into
his He drew her into his arm.
Bessie" he said. I've only seen you
five times, but I've counted each one,
love you, dear. am going to take
you away with me I've won you from
Clancy
"O-Clancy." she said, with laugh
Il never saw Clancy in my life before. y
"But you We're engaged to him.
said Paul
Bessie crept closer to him. Let me
tell you about that" she said. You
don't know anything abou, me, but you
! trust me and believe in me. was a
school-teacher in Ohio. | had to come
west for my health. couldn't teach
any more for it would have killed me.
Somehow, drifted to Phoenix There
I had the opportunity to work az
| Browns waitress,
81 soon found that western men are
Just as brave and chivalrous as in the
east But | was different from the
country girls round about here. Every
body wanted to marry me. At dances
they neglected the rest for me, The
women were jealous of me and spoke
spitefully. | saw that would have tc
leave unless could discover some
way of stopping these attentions.
Then Clancy began to be notorious
and thought of inventing that story
about his being my lover. | never saw
him in my life before tonight. But il
worked like a charm. There wasn't q
man among them dared to speak t
me, except in civil way, or to dance
with me until you came"
John laughed and, bending over her
kissed her.
I'm going to take you into Gold
mine, sweetheart" he said. There's
a preacher there-and then we're 90
ing home"