Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-06-18

Brunte?" he said.
She was sitting on the side of the
s~hakedown, and her eyes met his fair
ly and squarely.
81 know that he's never had a square
deal. If that's what you mean."
Hes married. isn't hep
$50 I've heard"
"Wealthy woman too?'
"Wealthy-but she isn't much of 9
woman. He was a good and straight
man when she left him."
"And then he took to horse lifting?"
"In all his life he's taken n horse,
although he's been blamed for many
"Was there another man in the trou.
BILE between him and his wife?"
$50 they say" she answered.
rs Brunte looking for him?"
"a mar can't afford to take the law
into his own hands when he's GOT
"What?"
"a sick child" And she nodded in
the direction of the shakedown.
The man leaped to his feet. His eyes
were riveted on hers.
"Do you mean to say that she-she Is
Brunte Heath's childT'
YES" said the woman deliberately.
"Where is hep
HE has gone to fetch the doctor"
"And the doctor is thirty miles away
II he's a foot!' He went to the door
and looked out. "And it's showing
~fierce!'' he added in a whisper.
"How's he mountedY"
ION the horse the sheriff wanted him
for. 1t was his only chance. His own
horses died a month ago. and he was
waiting till the spring before buying
more.'
The face of the man was a study in
b%ewilderment. He crossed the floor to
the shakedown and looked at the sleep
ing child.
Lifted a horse to ride thirty miles
in this weather to save his kid" He
turned away from the bed. And good
luck to you, Brunte!' he muttered.
YOU'D risk your own neck for him?'
said the man presently.
"For him and the kiddy. yes"
For Il moment their eyes met and
SDOhCs <AilO LhCIO was 0OIlCtAAh6 ALAOlN
than admiration in his. Then his lips
opened, and the question that had been
disturbing him for some time refused
longer to be controlled.
whats Brunte Heath to your" he
asked. And the silence that followed
was charged with fears and doubts for
both of them.
ttT,ro hi. cictor ,, che coi6 at Loot And
it was impossible to misunderstood the
deep breath that left his lips.
And a sister whom he ought to be
proud of" he said without reserve.
bet the sheriff wouldn't think So"
I'm not SO sure" he said thought
fully.
He was sitting there gazing at her
when suddenly the strained call of a
dog-wolf reached them. With a cry OF
joy she sprang to the door and threw
it open.
A man, slight of stature, yet seeming
ly of strength. judging by the way in
which he hauled his tired horse
through the snow, was coming toward
the shack. The woman ran to meet
him, kissed him affectionately and
drew him into the humble apartment.
The man already there rose to meet
him, but the woman was the first to
speak.
"a man by the name of Joe Gregar.
Brunte," she said. HE came here
gave him a chance. l knew that you'd
say it was the right thing to do"
"Mebbe it was, mebbe it wasn't" he
said, staring hard at the stranger.
"How's the gall" His eyes were still
fixed on those Of the other man. How
long have you been in this country?"
he asked in a suspicious voice.
"Long enough to know a man when
l see one. Your horse has slipped his
halter. Brunte Heath"
Two heads were turned to the open
door simultaneously, Heath's and the
woman's. And a cold official VOICE
turned them back again.
"Put up your hands, Brunte Heath.
I've got you covered. and it wouldn't
be easy to miss from this d%istance!"
II thought that l recognized you."
said Brunte. stretching his hands above
his head and smiling bitterly as the
barrel of the revolver almost brushed
his nose. Nan. little gal, they've play
ed it low down on you this time. Have
you been properly introduced to the
new sheriff."
The sheriff thrust his revolver into
its holster and held out his hand to
the man.
II did manage to take you without
firing a shot. Brunte," he said with a
laugh. Bear that in mind, will you!
Because n of these days you may
hear the fellows chipping the new
sheriff, and then you can-well, you
can butt In and say that he wasn't
quite as green as he looked. l don't
know what you've got in the pack for
tho 1iffIn oirI hr1f ff it,c n doh - OIou