The evening world., 1914-01-28

tom smpioysd to force . man - sivs
thingr'
Dakota deliberately took up . wax.
end, rolled Il, and squinted bic eyes
- he forced the end Of the thread
through the eye of tho needle which
hs held In the other hand.
why don't you shoot him your.
self7" he said. drawing his words .
little. your business principles don't
take you quite that far, ehf And %
you've como over to get me 70 shoot
hint Why didn't you say % In the
this time" He laughed coldly.
"what makes you think that you
sould hire me to put Doublsr out Of
business7"
II saw you shoot Blanca" said
LAngford. "And sounded Duncan"
you saw me shoot Blanca" said
Dakota with . strange smile, and
Duncan told you was the man 70
put Doubler away. Those are my
recommendations.' His voice was
slightly ironical. almost concealing .
slight harshness. Did Duncan mon.
ton that he wsc friend 81. .. Of ~ins,"
hooking. Just merely mentioned
that / Was uncommo only clever in the
art Of getting psopls-urdseirable
people-out Of the way. Iont get
the idea, though. because Duncan
told you, that make Q business OF
shooting folks. I put Blanca out OF
the way because Il was . question
OF him or mel shot him to save my
own hide. Shooting Doubler would
DO quite another proposition. Still"
He looked at Langford. his eyes mar
rowing and smoldering with mys'
Il seemed that he was inviting
Landlord to make q proposal. and tho
latter smiled evilly. STILL" he said.
repeating Dakota's words with sig.
nincant Infection, 'you don't refuse
TO listen to me. Il would be worth
q thousand dollars TO me to have
Doubler out Of the way" he added.
Dakota looked up At him. his face
q mask Of immobility. THAT sounds
all right" ne said. with slow en-
phasis. II reckon you'll put IL In
writing7"
Landlords eyes narrowed; he smiled
craftily. THAT" he said smoothly.
"would put me In your power. I
have never been accused of being .
fool by any of the men with whom
have done business. Don't you
think that at my age It 10 little
late to startw
Il reckon va don't make any DEAL"
laughed Dakota shortly.
wen arrange II this way" su9.
Rested Langford. "Doubler is not the
only man I want to get rid OF. ! want
your land, too. But he added a. ne
Jaw Dakota's lips harden-"l don't
purpose to proceed against you m the
manner I am dealing with DouoIer.
II men
quite well. ia like to buy your land:
What would be q fair price for TT
give thousand"
"We'li put II this way. then. said
Y.angford, briskly and silkily. II VIII
riyo YOU an agreement worded In this
manner: One month after date !
promise to pay to Dakota the sum OF
ak thousand dollars, In consideration
Of his rights and interest In the star
brand, provided that within ono
month from date he persuades Ben
Doubler to leave Union County, ne
looked at Dakota with q signifcant
smile, "You see," he said. shat I
am not particularly DESTROYS OF being
Instrumental In causing Doubler's
death--you have misjudged me-"
They entered the cabin. and . few
minutes later Dakota sat again on
the box In the lee Of the cabin wall.
mending his saddle. the signsd agree
ment in his pocket.
"That man." said Dakota, when
landlord was gone, "thinks he has
convinced me that ought to Kill my
best friend. He hasn't changed . bit
mot q damned bitl
Duncan, shielded by the crest OF .
hill. had watched tho interview. had
seen tho paper passed from Langford
TO Dakota-and had drawn bis own
conclusions.