Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-02-05
CHAPTER xxxVI.

CHAPTER xxxVI.
People in the mountains still talk
of how, while Anse Havey lay on a
white cot in the little hospital, young
Milt McBriar set out toward Peril He
stopped for moment at the house OF
Bad Anse Hayey, and within twenty
minutes the hills were being raked
Young Milt killed a horse getting to
Jeb McNash's cabin on Tribulation
and Jeb killed another getting to
Peril. Then from Lexington came two
surgeons as fast as a special train
could bring them, and, thanks to a
logged life spark, they found Anse
Havey still lingering on the margin.
When they removed him from the
operating table back to his cot and
he opened his eyes to consciousness,
the sun was coming through the shad-
ed window. but even before he knew
that, he saw her face bending over
him and felt cool fingers on his fore
head.
AS his eyes opened her smile greet
ed him, and she brushed his lips with
her own. Then, in tone of COM
mand, she said: you mustn't talk.
The doctors say you may get well If
you obey orders and fight hard. It's
partly up to you, Anse.''
Once more there lowered around
the mans lips that occasional boyish
smile.
Il reckon" he said slowly, they'll
have the nell of a time KILN me
now!" Then he added in a tone of
more grimness: Besides, there's a
score or two to SETTLE"
The girl shook her head and smiled.
Her fingers rested caressingly on the
dark hair that fell over his forehead.
No, Anse," she told him. Il settled
most of them myself"
Even the detachment of the murder
squad that had played it's part in the
woods ano started for Peril before
the i've turned back did not reach
their destination. but scattered into
the hillsides. When morning brought
the news of their attempt they tried
to make their escape across the noun
tains to Virginia.
But there was a grim and relentless
system about the movement of two
posses that set out to comb the tim
Der. Daring to approach no house for
food, the fugitives united and took up
their stand in a stanch log cabin
which had been deserted, and died
there, grimly declining to surrender.
OF course the railroad came up Trib-
ulation and crossed through the notch
N the mountains at the gap, but the
railroad came on terms quite different
from those which Mr.. Trevor and his
TX had planned.
One day there rode away from the
college a gay little procession on it's
way TO the McBriar domain At it's
head rode Young Milt, and on a pill
ion behind him, as mountain brides
lad always ridden to their own
houses, sat Dawn McBriar. That was
some years ago, and at the big log
house there is a toddling. tow-headed
voung person now whose Christian
lame is Anse Havey. though his ia
her insists he is to be ultimately
lnown as Bad Anse" McBriar.
One autumn day, when the air was
s full of sparkle as champagne, and
he big sugar tree just outside the
ospital window was flaming in an &C.
tasy of color. Miss Dawn Havey
pened her eyes on the world and
ound it acceptable.
Jeb McNash was riding through the
Ountry that October seeking election
D the legislature
He drew his horse down by the
ence.
Anse," he said in his slow drawl.
it's pity she's gal now, hain't it?''
Anse shook his head. II reckon
e said, shes got more chance to be
Ike her mother. Her mother made
nese hills better for being here, and
He looked cautiously about and
ropped his voice. as if speaking of a
orbidden subject. yet into it crept a
ote of pride. Besides. young Teller.
ave you got any more notches on the
took of your gun than she has?''
THE END