Bridgeton pioneer., 1915-02-25

"Vas there another man in the trou-
BILE between him and his wifeT
so they say" she answered.
.Ts Brunte looking for him?"
"A man cant afford to take the law
into his own bands when he's GOT
what"
"a sick child" And she nodded in
the direction of the shakedOwn.
The man lcaped to his feet. His eyes
were riveted on hers.
DO you mean to say that she-she is
Brunte Heath's childT'
Yes" said the woman deliberately.
Where is he!'
HE has gone to fetch the doctor"
"And the doctor is thirty miles away
if he's a foot" He went to the door
and looked out. "And it's showing
fiercer' he added in whisper.
"How's he mounted?"
"On the horse the sheriff wanted him
for. 1t was his only chance. His own
horses died month ago. and he was
waiting till the spring before buying
more"
The face of the man was a study in
bewilderment. He crossed the floor to
the shakedown and looked at the sleep
ing child.
Lifted horse to ride thirty miles
in this weather to save his kid" He
turned away from the bed And good
luck to you, Brunte!' he muttered.
you'd risk your own neck for him."
said the man presently.
"For him and the kiddy. yes"
For a moment their eyes met and
spoke. And there was something more
than admiration in his. Then his lips
opened. and the question that had been
disturbing him for some time refused
longer to be controlled
whats Brunte Heath to you?" he
asked. And the silence that followed
was charged with fears and doubts for
both of them.
"I'm his sister," she said at last. And
it was impossible to misunderstood the
deep breath that left his lips.
"And a sister whom he ought to be
proud of" he said without reserve.
Bet the sheriff wouldn't think So"
I'm not so sure" be said thought
fully.
He was sitting there gazing at her
when suddenly the strained call of a
dog-wolf reached them. With a cry of
joy she sprang TO the door and threw
it open.
A man, slight of stature, yet seeming
ly of strength. jEdging by the way in
which he hauled his tired horse
through the snow, was coming toward
the shack The woman ran to meet
him. kissed him affectionately and
drew him into the humble apartment.
The man already there rose to meet
him, but the woman was the first to
speak.
"A nan by the name of Joe Gregar,
Brunte," she said. He came here
with the sheriff on his heels, and
gave him chance. l knew that you'd
say it was the right thing to do"
'Mebbe it was, mebbe it wasn't" he
said, staring hard at the stranger.
"How's the gal?' His eyes were still
fixed on those of the other man. How
long have you been in this country?
he asked in Il suspicious voice.
Long enough to know a man when
see one Your horse has slipped his
halter, Brunte Heath"
Two heads were turned to the open
door simultaneously, Heath's and the
woman's. And a cold official voice
turned them back again.
"Put up your hands. Brunte Heath.
I've got you covered, and it wouldn't
be easy to miss from this distance!
Il thought that recognized YOU"
said Brunte. stretching his hands above
his head and smiling bitterly as the
barrel of the revolver almost brushed
his nose. "Nan, little gal, they've play
ed it low down on you this time. Have
you been properly introduced to the
new sheriff."
The sheriff thrust his revolver into
its holster and held out his hand to
the man.
II did manage to take You without
firing a shot, Brunte," he said with a
laugh. Bear that in mind, will Won?
Because one of these days you NAV
hear the fellows chipping the new
sheriff, and then you can-weu. Won
can butt in and say that he wasn't
quite as green as he looked. don't
know what you've got in the pack for
the little girl. but if it's a doll to play
with it will do her more good than
medicine. Keep her arm in the splints
for couple of weeks and keen your
heart up for good. That little girl on
the shakedown is worth working for
honest work! l shall come back one
of these days'-he glanced meaningly
at the woman-"to see how the patient
is progressing"
He walked to the door and looked
back.
Brunte Heath was bending over his
little girl. The woman was standing
transfxed in the center of the room,
The sheriff held up finger. and she
went to him as one in a dream.
"It is probable that they'll be want.
ing a new sheriff." he laughed sshu+
want you to believe that l feel II
was worth it,