Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-11-25
CHAPTER TX.

One afternoon, while old Milt Nc
Briar was sitting on the porch of his
house, a horseman rode up and light
ed" The horseman was not of pleas
ant expression, but he knew his mis-
sion and was sure of his welcome.
'Evenin', Luke" welcomed the Nc
Briar chief, and as the visitor sank
into chair with a nod, he laconically
announced: II
I've done found out who kilt Nash
Watt"
Old Milt never showed surprise. 1t
was his pride that his features had
banished all register of emotion. Now
he merely leaned over and knocked
the ash from his pipe against the rail
ing.
Wall, he commanded CURLY, Tets
hev y0re tale"
They picked out man fer Their job
tibet hain't been mixed up in no feud
fightin' heretofore" pursued the other
with unruft1ed calmness. He's fel
Ter thet nobody wouldn't suspect; him
bein' peaceable an mostly sober. But
he shoots his squirrels, through the
head every time he throws up his
gun. Thet war Their kind of man they
wanted" -..
Milt McBriar shifted his position a
little. He seemed bored.
Who war this feller?"
The bearer of tidings was reservinE
his climax and refused to be hurried.
I reckon yen be right smart as
tonished when names his name, but
thar hain't no chanst of bein' mistook.
I've done run Their thing down"
Il hain't nuver astonished." retort.
ed McBriar "Who war he?"
Very cautiously the second man
looked around and then bent over and
whispered a name. There was a short
pause, after which the chief comment
ed: wall, ], reckon I don't need ter
tell yer what ter do now"
81 reckon knows" confessed Luke
with somewhat surly expression.
But Milt McBriar was paying no
attention. His. face was darKening.
Il wish I could afford. ter git the
real mani" he exclaimed: abruptly. Il
wish burst hev Anse 'fIavey kilt
"WaIl''-this time 1t was the'@,in.
derling who spoke casually .feck-
on thought as we'll die fer sheep as
lamb. Shell kill Anse HaVey fer
ye?" 49,. a.. -.5s ....l 49,, IN
The chieftain. looked at him during
a long pause, then slowly shook his
head.
mo, Luke" he said quietly. 81
hain't quite ready ter die myself yft.
l reckon If he'd ye ter kill Bad Anse
thet's bout what'd happen Jest git
Their lamb this trip an let Their old
ram live spell"
So, one unspeakably sultry morning,
few days after that informal session,
Good Anse Taboo, arrived at the
Widow EVerson's house. AS Juanita
Holland appeared at the door to greet
him he came at once to the point
"Fletch McNash hes done been
kilt" he said. bout twilight last
night, es he was a-comin' in from Their
barn somebody shot one shoot from
-ther la'rel. reckon hit'd be right
smart comfort ter his woman an
little Dawn ef ye could ride over thar
an help tend ter Their buryin'. Kin
ye start now?"
Go! Juanita would go If it were
necessary to run a gantlet of all the
combined forces Of the Haveys and
McBriars. Her heart ached for the
widow and the boys, but for Dawn the
ache was as deeply poignant as it
could have been for little sister of
her own. So with set face and hot In
dignation Juanita mounted for the
journey.
At last they reached the McNash
cabin and found gathered about 1t a
score Of fgureE with sullen and scowl-
ing faces.
From the barn came the screech OF
saw and rat-tat Of hammer, where
those whose knack ran into carpentry
were fashioning the box which was to
serve in lieu of casket.
There was no fire now, and the
cabin was very dark In a deeply
snaOOWe0 corner lay fietcn McNaSn,
made visible by the white sheet that
covered him.
Juanita had come In silently. and
for a moment. thought that no one
else was there. The younger children
had been sent away, and the neigh
bors remained outside with rough
sense Of consideration.
CTo Be Continued.) 2.