The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1915-02-12

RNDNaNS ASNNH ~ NN@%
how hard tried"
Talk to him." Howe had begged of
Apache Nell. Rub his fool throat.
Make him get better" Nell promised
to do her best, but the lost harmony
and the tender, soothing Tilt of Il
Wonder Who's kissing Her Now" no
longer was waited across the dismal
tables of the Silver Stag.
The Lady Cassandra disappeared
without warning.
Without the witchery of Charley's
tenor voice the varied attractions of
the Silver Stag palled upon her.
Whittier she went no one knew, and
few seemed to care,
Time trudged by in Cab Horse.
Apache Nell, on the morning of a
sunny day, wandered afar from the
purlieus of the town, Two miles from
Cab Horse she came to a cluster Of
scrubby trees and halted to enjoy
their slender shade. In the act of
brushing her moist forehead with a
dainty cambria Handkerchief she
paused, and her eyes lighted.
From somewhere came a sound
and the sound was the voice Of Char
ley White lifted in song
Nell secreted herself skillfully and
waited.
Charley approached from the oppo-
site direction, Harmony welled from
him like a long pent-up oil well in the
first fine, careless rapture of its shoot
ing, and the echoes wound their ture-
full way over the smiling land.
When he had reached the knot of
trees Nell suddenly stepped into the
road before him.
81 thought" she said sternly, that
you couldn't sing! Why have you de-
ceived Mr.. Howe and me and every
body? Fxplain!"
Charley removed his hat and hung
his head.
"Your throat Is perfectly right, isn't
IT." Nell demanded
Charley nodded 7iswanv.
"Then whv?" Nell asked.
q lied about my throat, he replied
slowly. There has never been any
thing the matter with It,"
Then WIN did you stop singing al
the Silver Stag?"
"Becauee, Nell. l have enemies, anC
because by enemies have threatened
to kill me-"
The argument then ensuing LASTED
the greater part Of an hour, and whel
It was ended Charley said:
For your sake I'll go back. If l an
killed my blood is upon your head"
you will not be killed" Nell said.
The Silver Stag greeted its return
ing songbird with cheers.
All was festive. and the crowds gath
cred about the yellow tables and spen
money with abandon.
At fifteen minutes past ten Charlie
White turned into the thrilling oratC
rio known as the wyoming Rag" an
at ten-sixteen a party of stranger
wandered into the Silver Stag and OF
cupied a table.
There we're three men and two won
en-, and their hilarity was unusua
even for a Silver Stag party.
Their voices rose after a time, an
Charley glanced over i%nquiringly.
, From laughter the newcomers drift
ed into earnest conversation, low 4
tone at first.
One Of the men rose and made
sweeping gesture.
The two women shrieked.
The other two men leaped to thei
feet.
u Revolvers were drawn in the twinl
/. ling Of an eye, and in the twinkling q
another eye the regulars OF the Silve
g Stag were underneath tables and tn
strange party was standing in the cer
o. ter Of a cloud Of smoke.
Their guns barked viciously.
At the top Of a long note Charlie
a White ceased singing abruptly.
n Quietly he sank to the stage, HI
O. frantic hands tugging at his shir
bard.
Apache Nell reached him first. He
q arms we're about him when How
came into the room.
q The warm blood trickled throug
his coat and colored Nell's waist.
81 told o they'd get me-" he viii
pered family.
A few hours later, when they ha
v probed into and got the bullet out
his shoulder, Charley White sat u
in Doc Meehan's spare bedroom ar
~ cast a faint smile at Nell.
n I'm going to get we'll" he sa.
a cheerfully, and Nell patted his han
"Of course you are" she replied.
y "And we1l be married as soon as
can get on my feet"
,. Nell agreed.
You anne near chasing your hu
J." band-to-be out OF the game ahead
his time" the patient continued. IF
we're a vindlctive sort | might hold
against you. / wonder who that bunt
was and what they had against me
"They didn't have anything again
YOU" Nell said slowly. THE bull
ar that hit you was an accidental shot
after the warning l hadl" he sa
IL sc%ornfully. Don't kid me, Nell. "
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