The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-10-17

quick and keen at all games OF SIKH or
dexterity. He was the sort or man
who could howl or play pool or bill
lards or anything else rather better
than the average accustomed player
the first time he tried. He thrned card
tricks deftly. AZ the end Of our three
days loadng he caught me at the end
of his pistol so regularly that there
ceased to be any contest in 1t. never
did get the sleeve trick; but, thens
never succeeded in fOOling the merest
infant with any of my attempts at
legerdemgin Johnny could flip that
little derringer out with n twist of his
supple wrist as neatly as snake darts
its forked tongue. For ten minutes at
q time he practiced it. over and over.
as regularly as well oiled machinery.
"But that proves nothing as to how
It would work out in real action" said
Johnny thoughtfully.
The afternoon of the third day while
we were resting from the heat beneath
the shade of our tree we were ap
preached by three men.
"Howdy, boysp said the first. "We
hain't seen you around camp lately
and thought mebbe you'd few"
1--WE are still here" replied Johnny
with smooth politeness. "As you see,
we have been fixing our quarters to
stay here"
"Scarface Charley is here, too" oh
served the spokesman, "and he want
ed me to tell you that lie is going to
be at the Bella Union at s this eyenin
and he wants to know win he see you
and to come heeled"
"Thank you, gentlemen replied
Johnny quietly. 'If by accident you
should happen TO see the desperate in
question--who, assume, can be in no
way your friend--I hope you will tell
him that l. too, viii he at the Bella
Union at 8 O'Clock, and that | win
come heeled."
"You'll be comm alone" said the
man, "or p'rhaps yore friend"-
'My friend, as you call him, Is sim
ply miner and has nothing TO do with
this" Interrupted Johnny emphatically.
II thank you, sir" said the spokes-
man, rising.
ihe other Two, VINO hau throuehout
sald no word roilo"ed MS example.
do you know Danny hahdall salu
Johnny as they moved off.
II he had presented his derringer un-
der their noses they could not have
stopped moro suddenly. They stared
at each other moment.
ais he Il friend of yOursY inquired
the spONesinhh alter an uncertuih Ano-
ihent'
"He likes fhlr pay sara johnny
enlgmaucaliy
The trio moved on III the direction oi
town.
eve dou't know any more about
Danny Randall than we did," observed
Johnny, but | tried a shot In the
dark"
Nevertheless" | told him, Pm go
Ing to be there, and you want to make
up your mind to Just that
you VIII come OF COURSE asreeu
Johnny. y suppose ! cannot keep yon
from that but JIM he conmunueu
earnestly 'you must swear 10 heeP
out OF the row ulleSS IT. ueFeiops lilto
a general one ana 20" must swear lo'
TO speak 70 me or MAKE any slsh' no
mntCer "hat happc"'' must piay
lone hahd'
lie was firm on TINS point ana In
the end | gave my PROMISE 10 MS eV'-
dent relief.
This IL our visitors uay eYluehtiy'
he observed Here come two more
men. one OF them a5 tie uoctor' iu
know that hat two miles
THE other Is our friend Danny Kan
DALI said !.
Dr. Rankin greeted us with cor
dlallty ! had not suspected In him.
Randall nodded in his usual ditildent
fashion and slid into the oak shadow,
where he squatted on his heels
"About this Scarface Charley" he
said abruptly II hear he's issued his
def, and you've taken him up. Dc
you know anything about this sort OF
fhinp7" s.fN