Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1914-01-22

just behind your head You reached
that same revolver to Gus, for he
couldn't use his ak quick enough. on
account Of the tree trunk. Lucky tor
you he was steady and sure. its 90
small trick to put a bail through a
snake. He told me he sat down and
Dawled, just thinkn Of the look in
your eyes Yes. recolleot that And
% sea .ot him have it cheap"
4.-r. C4e~s shifted uneasiiy. lie, too,
reA.-m1Dted.
"a got another.-same make" said
ne clun4liy. producing a heavy re-
yolvcr .or comparison. Gus is round,
posel
s.Cpl-d in a while ago for a
Trims replied Melinda calmly Il
40 Culy coOkin water from the rain
oaircl. ana he went up to the spring
cioan forgot to ask him to bring me
-o4.s drnMn Said he, I'll leave my
saa ne.-, heL It's hot toting it. and
IA go &C when l come backl' Say,
lave, % you hurry, you'll catch him.
Ach ia can help carry the water.
le's a warm lug for one. Set your re
oliver Dy his, If you want to. l don't
mind en-. Here's the pail. You're
comm TO our weddin next month, OF
course?'
II hope so" answered the man,
absently. Yes, might as well leave
1t, SO long as" he paused and put
down his weapon. Your pa amt heard
heard of any row lately?"
Row? No! If he had, I'd know it.
I'm praying for his sake that rows
will be scarce" She smiled meaning
ly, and her visitor grinned Mr.. Han
wood had recently returned from a
period of incarceration due to one of
those episodes of violence for which
he had a prediction.
Clews, drumming lightly on the up
turned pail, strolled up the narrow,
bushy path.
Mel hain't been told, that's sartin,"
he ruminated. Il don't feel quite so
anxious for gore, specially Gus Shar-
ley's. If he'll come half way, III meet
him; if not-hum! Durn tie girl! She
upset. me- Well, with no guns, we can't
do nothin' serious, and Ill speak him
fair"
Ten minutes later, two men were
walking towards the dingy cottage,
carrying between them a pail of wa
ter. Their faces were serious, but not
angry. They were not speaking like
the reconciled. The solemn calmness
was an ominous presage of merely de-
ferred trouble.
Melvina, watching eagerly for hope
full signs, felt her heart sink.
The pail was set down.
Thank you very much, boys" sob
was behind the cheerful words. She
was trying hard-very hard.
"Mel-Sharley's face was averted
i amt sure but what Ill need
He halted. Clews' hat was over his
eyes.
oh! your revolver" said the girl,
brightly. Yes, you left it. Dawes,
too. Wait a moment" She ran in
side.
The men loitered apart, their rup-
lure only udll uedlSui luelI DlOOu sun
longing for a deadly settlement, the
old bond of affection urging for rec
onciliation, thorough and complete.
Suddenly, before either could give
a OBTAINING spring, a flying figure
daTted between them and across the
yards To the old well curb.
They heard two dull, heavy splashes.
and gazed at each other aghast.
"Boys!" rang Melvina's triumphant
shout If you're not sure, l am. Get
your old guns if you can. They're at
the bottom Of the well"
After that, Dave Clews spoke first,
as the pair carried the fainting form
to the house
Gus" he said, softly, I'm comm
TO the weddin, yer know"
AS best man, or nOthin'," returned
Mr.. Sharley, firmly.
They both gazed at the pale, girlish
face; then at each other for a long,
steady gaze; then away, quickly.
Copyright by Daily Story Pub. Coz