Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-29
REPUBLICAN, nARsHA1LrowN IOWA: OCTOBER q. 1915

where he had business 70 discuss. A
man waS waiting for him In there
whom old acquaintances might have
passed by without recognition. It was
the hope Of Milt McBriar that when
they left the train at Peril. any &C.
quaintances who might be about would
do just this.
While the Christmas shoppers
laughed in the day coach. Luke Thix-
ton received final instructions In the
empty smoker.
He was to pass as swiftly and un.
obtrusively as possible through Peril
and 60 direct across the ridge.
He and Milt would leave the train
without conversation or anything to
mark them az companions. After that
Luke knew. what he was to do. and no
further conference would be necessary.
It was noon when the train rumbled
again over the trestle near the town,
and. all morning steady, feathery
snow had been falling, yelling the
sights from the windows and wrapping
the mountains in . cloak OF swan y
down.
At last the trucks screamed. the old
engine came putting and wheeling to a
tired halt. and the two girls. with
Young Milt at their heels, made their
way out, burdened with parcels
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 Anse's face was not
turned toward her. and 1t did not wear
the look of expectancy that the thought
Of her usually brought there. Jebs
countenance, too. was white and set,
and Z breathless tensity seemed to
hold the whole group in fixed taut-
ness. -
There were several clumps or men
standing about. all armed. and every
face wore the same expression Of wait.
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-
lions 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 clear voice: Luke
Thixton. want ye fer Their murder of
Fetch McNash."
Old Milt McBriar, for once startled
out of his ,case-hardened seh-control.
wheeled and demanded angrily: What
hell's trick is this?" His eyes were
blazing and his face worked with pas
sionate fury.
A deputy answered him: "An' Milt
McBriar. wants you. too. on an in
dictment fer accessory ter murder.
Juanita felt Dawn's spasmodtc I'm
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 . half
crouch. The younger McBriar halted
and bent back under the CLINT Of the
revolver which Jeb was thrusting into
his face.
Haveys, armed and grim of visage,
now began drawing close about the
captives..
Dawn chung 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. Their grand jury he's
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 McBriar. That's all
we'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 hisself Nc
i