The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1915-06-12

There was no one in sight. Softly
almost stealthily, he crept UP to tn,
wagon. fetched out from its woodei
case q small violin, sat down with hi
back to the wheel and began to play
Suddenly the bow rested motionless
A lock of fear came into his face. Ii,
| sprang up The cowboys were al
stealing from the other side of ths
wagon. They had arrived and dis
mouated without his hearing them
He sprang to his feet and began tc
stammer apologies. Long Jim's hand
| was laid firmly upon his shoulders.
Say, cookie, you don't need to
look SO scared You atnt done moth.
ing wrong. Me and the boys. we like
your music. Sing us another tune
on that fiddler
The cook looked at him for mo-
ment incredulously. Then he real
lied that the cowboy was in earnest.
He picked up the bow and commenced
to play again. They sat around him,
wondering, absolutely absorbed. No
one even made a move towards the
food. 1t was Craig who led them
there at last himself. still playing.
Long Jim threw his arm almost caress-
ingly around his shoulder.
Say, cookie he began. there amt
never no questions asked concerning
the past history of the men who find
their way out here, just SO long as.
they don't play the game yellow. May
be you've fitted up nice little hell
for yourself somewhere, but we amt
none of us hankering to know the
address. You're white and you're one
Of US and any time any guy wants to
charge you rent for the little hell
where you got the furniture Of your
conscience stored, why, you just let
US settle with him. that's all"
The interruption which came was
from outside.
More OF these id tourists" Long
Jim muttered. Women, tool"
Craig turned his head slowly. Quest
was in the act of dismounting from
his horse. BY his side was the pro-
fessor; just behind, Lenora and Laura
Long Jim greeted them with rough
cordiahty.
Say. what are you folks looking
for!' he demanded.
Quest pointed to Craig.
I'VE want that man. no announced.
This is inspector French from New
York. / an Sanford Quest.
There was a tense silence. Craig
covered his face with his hands. then
suddenly looked up.
Il won't come he cried fiercely.
You've bounded me all around the
world. am innocent. won't come"
Quest shrugged mis- shoulders. He !
took a step forward, but Long Jim,
as though by accident, sauntered in
the way.
Got warrant?s he asked tersely. |
I'VE don't need It'll Quest replied.
He's our man, right enough"
Right this minute he's our cook
1rawled Long Jim, "and we amt ex.
lctly particular about going hungry I
Just to please a bunch of strangers.
Cut it short. mister. If you amt got
/ warrant, you amt got this man.
"All right" Quest agreed. 1.-THE in
spector here and ! will soon see to
hat. Wen ride back to the town.
Ihip. With your permission, the ladies
md our elderly friend will remain for
/ rest
You're welcome to anything we've
got except our cook" Jim replied,
urning away.
Darkness came early and the little
company grew closer and closer to the
amp fire. where Craig had once more
aiken up bis violin. The professor
lad wandered off somewhere into the
darkness and the girls were seated a
title apart. They had been treated
but coldly
Don't seem to cotton to US, these |
'oys." Laura remarked.
They don't like us. Lenora replied,
because they think we are after
,raig. wonder what Long Jim has
zen whispering 10 MIN, anu what
hat paper is be has been showing 4
'raig. Do you know how far We are
rom the Mexican border2" +
Not more than five or six miles,
believe. Laura replied II
Lenora rose softly to her feet and
trolled TO The back Of the range
'agon. In q few moments she reap
cared, carrying q piece Of paper in
er hand. She stopped down.
"Craigs saddling up" she whis-
cred. Look what he dropped"
She held out the paper. on which
as traced roughly drawn map.
THAT lines the river that marks
le Mexican border she explained.
You see where Long Jim's put the