The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-12-25

mists hung splendidly to the ridges
and the sunset famed at his back.
Juanita never knew what details Of
the incident came to Old Mills ears.
but when next the head OF the house
passed her on the road he spoke with
a diminished cordiaIity. and when she
stopped him he commented: q hear
ye're a-runnin' a HaYey school over
thar now. Little MiIt tells me ye
warned him often yore place"
She tried to explain. and though he
pretended to accept all she said in
good humor, she knew in her heart
she had made a powerful and bitter
enemy.
One afternoon Anse Havey, wander
ing through the timber on his own
side of the ridge. came upon a lone
hunter, and when he drew near it
proved to be young MiIt McBriar.
Mornin', Milt," said Hayey. 81 didn't
know ye ever went huntin' over here. -
The boy, who in feud etiquette was a
trespasser. met the scrutiny with a
level glance.
Il was a-gunnin' for boomers" he
said, using the local phrase for red
squirrels of the hills. 81 reckon |
hain't hardly got no license ter go gun
min on yore land"
Anse Havey sat down on log and
looked up at the boy steadily. At last
he said gravely:
Hunt as much as ye like, Milt, only
be heedful not to start no fires"
Milt nodded and turned to go. but
the older man called him back
l want to have a word with We,
Milt, he said soberly. 81 amt never
heard that neither the McBriars nor
the Haveys countenanced settin' fire
to dwellfn' houses, have your
1 don't know what ye means" re-
sponded the boy, and the gaze that
passed between them was that of two
men who can look direct into any eye.
1 lowed it would astonish ye," went
on Anse- Back of the new school
house that's still full of shavin's an
loose timber there's a little stretch of
dry woods that comes right down to
the back door. Somebody has done
laid a trail Of shayin's an leaves in
the brush there an soaked 'em with
coal-oil. Some Teller aims to burn
down that schoolhouse tonight"
Did ye tell Miss Holland ?" demand
ed Milt in voice of deep anxiety.
No, l amt named it to her" Bad
Anse said with seeming Indifference
in his face. at which the lads blood
boiled.
Does ye aim ter set hyar an let her
place git burnt up?" he snapped out
don't"
Anse Havey laughed
We'll. no." he replied; 81 didn't aim
to do that
Suddenly he rose.
What l did aim to do, Milt, was
this: aimed to go down there tonight
with enough felIers to handle either
the fire or whoever starts it. 1 aimed
to see who was doin' a trick like that
Will you go with me?"
"Me?" echoed Milt in establishment
This idea of the two factions acting in
consort was a decided innovation. 1t
might be trap. Suddenly the boy de-
manded: why don't We ask pap?"
i don't ask your pap nothing" In
Havey's reply was quick and trucu-
lent snap that rarely came into his
voice. I'm askin' you. an you can
take my proposition or leave it. That
house-burner is goin' to die. If he's one
OF my people want to know it. If he's
one Of your people you ought to feel
the same way. VIII you go with me?"
The boy considered the proposal for
a time in silence. Dawn would be in
danger! At last he said graveIy:
Hit sounds like a fair proposition.
I'll go along with ye, an meantime III
keep my own counsel"