Las Vegas optic., 1914-08-27

had been prepared for anything but
the boyish. appealing eyes which
looked up at him from the crevice be
tween the two logs. But Duty, spelled
with a Haunting capital. demanded II,
and Duty had ever been the lodestar
of Carters life 1t afterwards seemed
to him that the thoughts of a thou
sand years crowded his brain between
the time he identified the hunted man
by the tell-tale scar upon his cheek
and had seen the mans hand move,
move toward his hip poeket-a move
ment which caused Duty to call upon
Carter for the most extreme measures
land the time when, as the dogs
strained at the leash. he pulled the
trigger.
His orders had been to shoot at the
least suspicious movement. Well, he
had carried out his orders to the let
ter and yet he felt as guilty as though
he himself were thrice an outlaw. The
smoking weapon fell to the ground
with dull thud-it had done its work
though the aim had not been good.
One quick look assured Carter of this,
then he turned away to tie the blood
hounds where they could not be seen
by the man they had just tracked to
his death Retracing his steps he
dropped down on his knees beside the
victim.
God forgive mel" he cried as the
eyes, more eloquent than ever in their
suffering, again looked into his.
Never mind" came in whispered
answer. '1t-had to be, but I'm
about done for think"
The outlaw lay with one hand
pressed to his side, while through his
fingers bright, fresh blood oozed. Car
ter had considered himself a strong
man, but at this sight a sickening
wave of weakness assailed him.
If it were only the bold desperate
his imagination had pictured, instead
of this frank-faced boy, who lay writh-
ing beside him!
Cod | wish 1t hadn't have had to
be mel" broke from him.
"And--I-" spoke the other with diff
ficulty-'T only-wish your aim had
been better"
Isn't there something can do tC
ease your inquired Carter, trying tC
pull himself together.
Nothlng-only-my head"
Quickly divining, Carter moved nearer
and raised the sufferers head on his
knee Though elated to think it lay
within his power to add, be it ever 81
tile, to the wounded mans comfort
arter was moved to reflect upon tn
rangeness OF thus pillowing tn
I'D of the man he had just shot fl
,Id blood.
'Better?" he asked trihe hoarsell
"Oh, yes-that is. I--don't mind
much"
Would you like whisky"
The outlaw managed to move hi
head in assent and Carter after put
ting ais hand carefully to his hip
pocket for his flask, held the liquor tC
his lips
Il don't know-why I-should want
to-prolong it-but / seem to-" NUT
tered the sufferer, as Carter set down
the flask That eternal fight for life
why is it? If I'd been-a man I'd
have given myself up after-after +
did it-instead of taking to the wilds
and then having-to kill that other
in self-defense That last was wrong
II admit it. But-no man can exact.
1y-understand until-they are-up
there and know that 1t is his life-or
yours. There's no reasoning in IT.
we do that after. It's-simply the
eternal fight"
Though the strong liquor had re
vived the dying man somewhat hi!
breath still came in deep groans.
But the frst-Jones-you do no
regret that?" Carter found himself say
ing.
Regret? A thousand times-no!
His vehemence caused the sufferer 6
deeper pange of agony. and with
blanched lips he subsidized into silence
Carter pressed the flask again to hii
Alps.
Thanks" muttered the outlaw
Then as though with an effort h.
reused himself again. I'D like t
tell you-before l CO." he begar
chat l thank the Creator who mad
me with my dying breath for havin
given me the grace to send a bulle
through that blackguard's braini An
If only Pd-given myself up ther
But remember thinking-that-
couldn't let her know-that I'd kille,
man-she might not understand
and thought perhaps this way-she',
never know. And-then, you know
the eternal fight"
Carter was silent before the glimps
of a sacred secret. But the othe
seemed disposed to speak out hi
thoughts.
lists rather good to talk wheI
you know your talking days-ar,
about over" he muttered grimly-
Good to talk-even when It costs vo,
agony. But when-you get-to thi