The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-11-03
:WHERE NO MAN PURSUETH:
BY RICHARD 3. SHELDON.

Giant pines lined the roadway, I'LL
ing the air with the odor OF pitch
which stewed from the crevices In
their bark. 1t was a poor sort of
roadway-scarcely more than cart
track winding aimlessly down the hill.
Pine needles lay scattered over it
more or less thickly; but for all that.
as two slouching figures came tramp
ing down it's many turns, cloud of
dust rose about them at every step.
II it had been other than an unfre-
quented byway, the two men would
not have been travelling 1t. The dry,
white glare of midday was several
hours past, but the pitiless heat was
no whit abated.
The two men paused for a moment
beneath one of the pines, and drew
their shirt sleeves across their drip
ping faces. They were not pleasant
looking men.
Dust was all over them, and they
were dirty and unkempt. The shorter
of the two had little, gray eyes, which
shifted uneasily behind lids red and
swollen.
When they walked, he moved along
few PAGES to the rear of his compan-
ion. He had way of peering sharply
about him. as if he expected a sur
prise.
They rested for time In silence
beneath the pine. Then the taller
man moved into the sun again.
Come, on Billy he said. They
amt much further to go. Well hit
the spring up yonder a piece in the
woods, an stay there tonight"
They moved down the winding cart
path again. They came to pair Of
bars. through which the man in the
lead turned. Across a field, where
sorrel and milkweed held undisputed
sway, they went; then down an alder
lined hillside, and into the fragrant
shadows Of the woods. Billy threw
himself prone on the ground.
you go find the spring If you want
er, Jim,' he said. I'm goin' to lay
right here"
"Humpin' for day takes holt of
ye. don't it?" said Jim.
'Tain't humpin'" said Billy. IT'S
thinkin' an thinkin, hearin' that
damn OF tune all the time, an some.
thin allus follerin' of me- I'm goin'
to lay right here. You go find the
spring If yer wanter."
"They amt no great hurry" said
Jim as he sprawled beside Billy. "Tn
go bimeby."
He stretched himself comfortably
and began to hum. At the sound of
the humming Billy sat up.
For Gods sake, quit that! Hain't
heard it all day?"
"Oh. you git a-holt Of yerself, Billy"
the other counseled. Its the heat
when 1t rains"
mo, l sha'n't," Billy walled.
"Twon't never be no diff'rent. keep
hearin' it all the time:
Nancy James a likely wench,
Hey-o, hey-o high-o!
SUITS beside me on the bench,
Hey-o, hey-o high-oi
Jes' like that. o Lord-Lord!"
Here said Jim, here's a piece Of
t'baccer. It's the last piece" he add
ed as he passed it to Billy.
Say, jim he said. WAS
drunk?"
you was pretty well sot up" Jim
admitted.
Twas all red an green round him" I"
Billy went on. Then l see his face
a-sneerin' at me, an heard him begin.
Nancy James likely
Damn himi / never meant to till
then. Dunno how l got the chair
Jes' got it an up with 1t. The seat
flew clean off, an the rungs busted
like paper. Lord, what crack!
SUITS beside me
An then he went down. gurglin' an
chokin' an lookin'-"
Billy began to snif1e.
That amt no way to look at It,"
said Jim. You n OIL Tom Hallet fit,
an you finished him. Good riddance
to him, says folks. Oughter happened
years ago. You git out, an lay low
awhile an it's all right"
I'm goin' back! I'm goin' backl"
Billy moaned.
Shut upi" said Jim harshly.
Jim, with his chin on his palms,
watched the gloom of the woods deep
en-. The sound Of deep, even breath
ing caught his ear. Billy slept.
God, IL 'twould only rain" he said.
1t might have been a prayer. He
stretched face downward on the
ground. Then he, too, slept
He was awakened by a peal of
thunder.
No answer. In the light of light
ming flash he saw he was alone. The
following fash showed Billy running
across the field to the road.
He started In pursuit. shouting
Billy's name at the top Of his voice.
He gained the road. The lightning
flasher showed him he was running
a losing race. From far down the
road came q neal of uncannv laughter