The Spectator., 1915-12-28
eneine came nnffing and wheezing to a

On the cinder platform Juanita looked about for Anse Havey. and she saw him standing in group with Jeb and several other men whom she did not know-but Anses face was not turned toward her, and 1t did not wear l the look of expectancy that the thought of her usually brought there. Jeb's l countenance, too was white and set, and a breathless tensity seemed to hold the whole group in fixed taut- l ness.
 There were several clumps of men standing about, all armed, and every face wore the same expression of wait l ing sternness.
 A gasp of premonition rose to Jua- nita's lips as she caught the sinister spirit of suspense in the atmosphere. Then Milt McBriar stepped down from the smoker vestibule, followed by an- other man
 AS the two turned in opposite direc- tions on the snow-covered platform. one of the men who had been standing with Bad Anse Havey laid hand on the shoulder of the clean-shaven ar rival and said in a clear voice: Luke Thixton, want ye fer ther murder Of Fetch McNash"
 Old Milt McBriar, for once startled out of his case-hardened self-control, wheeled and demanded angrily: What helPs trick is this?" His eyes were blazing and his face worked with pas sionate fury
 A deputy answered him: An Milt McBriar, 1 wants you. too, on an in- dictment fer accessory ter murder"
 Juanita felt Dawns spasmodic fin gers clutch her arm and her own knees grow suddenly weak. She heard clat- ter of parcels as Young Milt dropped them in the snow and leaped forward, his eyes kindling and his right hand frantically clawing at the buttons of | overcoat and coat. But before he could draw, Jeb McNash had wheeled to face him, bending forward to a half crouch. The younger McBriar halted and bent back under the glint of the revolver which Jeb was thrusting into his face.
 Haveys. armed and grim of visage. now began drawing close about the captives.
 Dawn clung with bloodless lips and white cheeks to Juanita as she watched Jeb holding his weapon in the face of the boy whom she suddenly realized she loved more than her brother.
 Then the sheriff spoke again.
 Thar hain't no use in maxim no trouble. Milt. Ther grand jury hes done acted an reckon ye'd better let the law take its course.'
 Why don't ye take me, too?" de- manded Young Milt in tense, passion at, voice I'm a McBriar. That's all ye've got against any of these men.
 The grand jury didn't indict ye, son." responded the sheriff calmly.
 Then the elder McBriar became sud denly quiet again and self-possessed. He turned to his son.
 "Milt." he said, sternly, you keep outen this. Ride over home an tell every man that calls hsself a Nc Briar"-his voice suddenly rose in the defiant crescendo of a trapped lion tell every man that calls hisself a McBriar thet ther Haveys hev got me in ther damned jailhouse-an' ask 'em eff they aims ter let me lay thar"
 Young Milt turned and went at run toward the livery stable Over his shoulder as he went he flung back at Jeb, who stood looking after him with lowered pistol: I'm goin' now. but I'll be back ter reckon with you!"
 And Jeb shouted, too; 'Ye kain't come back none too soon. Milt. I'll be hyar when ye comes"
 Then the group started on their tramp toward the courthouse and the little jail that lay at it's side.
 Juanta suddenly realized that she and Dawn were standing as if rooted to the spot. The older girl heard an inarticulate moan break from the lips of the younger. and then, as though l waking out of sleep. she looked ab sently down at litter of beribboned parcels which lay about her feet. That message which Old Milt had flung back to his people on the lips of his son would send tumbling to arms every man who could carry ri1e
 And the Haveys were grmly waiting for them. The Haveys were already there. The two girls could not ride across the ridge now They could only sit in their room at the wretched ho- tel and wait. too.
 Juanita was glad Dawn could cry She couldn't. She could only look ahead and see procession of hideous possibilities.
 It had been few minutes after noon when Young Mit had rushed into the livery stable and ordered his horse. In that one instant all his college in iluences had dropped away from him, and he was following the fierce single star of clan loyalty,
 His father. who had never been any