The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1915-12-22
tears. -oh. say something to thcmr
] u. -

chance 20 think.
But ! can't-I've said all had &c
say
Don't stop. dear. for Gods sake
the case is desperate! Youll have to dc
it-for Bill"
And that isn't all" Lahoma called
in broken. pathetic voice. us she turn
cd her pale face upon the curious
crowd THAT isn't all. You know Brick
and Bill have been 400 hld-all In this
world. You know they couldn't have
been sweeter to me If they'd been the
nearest of kin-they were more like
women than men. somehow. when they
spoke to me and sat with me I'm the
dugout; and ! guess know little
about n mothers love. because I've al.
ways had Brick and Bill But one day
somebody else came to the cove. and
this somebody else - well - he 80 this
/ somebody else wants TO marry me-to-
day This was the end of our jour
ney," she went on blindly. "and-and
T it is our wedding day. | thought there
must be some way to get Brick to the
wedding. but you see how it is. And
and wen have To marry without him.
But Bil's herein that jail-because he
wouldn't betray his friend. And
couldn't marry without either Brick or
Bill. could ]! =
/ She took her quivering hand from
Wilfred's sturdy arm and, moving to
the top of the steps. held out her trem-
bling arms appealingly:
Men. Give me Bill!
The crowd was with her, now. No
doubt of that All ferceness gone.
tears here and there. broad grins to
hide deep emotion. open admiration,
touched with tenderness. in the eyes
that took in her shy lowerlike beauty.
You shall have Bill.' shouted the
spokesman of the crowd. And other
voices cried. Give her Bill! Give her
BIlr'
spokesman in Stentorian tones. Wen
not ask him Il question. Fellows. clear
a path for EN-"
4 broad lane was formed through
the throng of smiling men whom the
sudden. unexpected light OF love had
aoftcncd magirally.
While Mizzoo haStencd to Bill's cell.
some one exclaimed. Invite us too
Make It town wedding
And another started the shout, "Hur-
'ah foI Lahoma"'
Lahoma, who had taken refuge be-
hind Wilfreds protection, wept and
laughed in rosy glow of triumphant
JOY.
Mizzoo presently reappeared, leaving
the door wide open. He walked to
the stairs. the wrinkles ut the corners
Of his eyes deep cut with appreciation
Of the situation Fellows" he called,
he says you carried him in there. and
diu-ed If you won't have to carry him
out, for not a step will he taker'
At this unexpected development a
burst of laughter swellcd into roar.
After that mighty mernment, Bill was
as safe as a babe. Twenty volunteers
pressed forward to carry the wedding
guest from his cell And when the old
man slowly but proudly followed VIII
fred ana Lahoma TO the hotel where
certain preparations were to be made
particularly as touching Bills per-
sonal appearance-the town of Man
gum began gathering at the newly
erected church whittier they had been
invited
When the four friends-for Mizzoo
Joined them-drove up to the church
door in the only carriage available,
Bill descended stiflly, his eyes gleam-
Ing fiercely from under snowy locks,
as if daring any one to ask him a Ques-
ton about Brick But nobody did.
The general suspicion that Bill At
kins knew more about Brick Wilcox
than he had revealed, was not without
foundations; though the extent of his
knowledge was more limited than the
town supposed. Bill had carried to his
friend-hidden in , the crevice in the
mountain top-the news of Red Kim
balls death; since then, they had not
seen each other.
Skulking along wooded gullies by
day. creeping down into the cove at
night Wilcox had unconsciously re
verted to the habits of thought and &C.
ton belonging to the time of his out
lawry. He was again, in spirit. high
wayman. though his hostility was
directed only against those seeking to
bring him to justice. The softening
influence of the years spent with La
homa was no longer apparent in his
shifting blOodshot eyes. his crOuching
shoulders. his furtive hand ever ready
to snatch the weapon from conceal
ment This sinister aspect of wildness,
intensified by struggling whiskers and
uncombed locks. gave to his giant form
a kinship to the huge grotesquely shap-
ed rocks among which he had made
his den.
He heard of Red Kimball's death
with bitter disappointment He had
hoped to encounter his former chief,
to grapple with him, to hurl him, per-
haps. from the precipice overlooking
Bilrs former home. IL in his fall.