The Glasgow courier., 1916-11-03
|1Owly rolled another cigarette.

Overland lighted his cigarette AS
he Strengthened up Louise was sur
prised to see him thrust both hands
above his head while he continued
| smoking placidly. Excuse me. MISS"
he said, turning the cigarette round
with his lips. but the gent behind
you with the gun has got the drop on
me, guess he's waitin' for you to
step out of range"
Louise turned swiftly. Dick Ten
low, deputy sheriff, nodded good morn.
ing to her. but kept his gun trained on
the tramp.
! ''Just step out from behind that
rock" said TenlOw, addressing Over
land.
Don't know as l WILL" replied the
tramp. You're no gentleman; you
didn't say please"
Come on. No bluff like that goes
here said the deputy.
4 Can't you see amt finished smok-
in yet?" queried Overland.
Come on! Step along"
'No way to address gent. you
Johnny. Say. I'll tell you now before
you fall down and shoot yourself. Do
you think you got me because you rode
up while | was talkin to Il lady and
butted into polite conversation like
drunken Swede at Il dance? Say. you
think Id "a ever let you got this far if
there hadn't been lady present?
Why, you little nickel plated, rubber
cared policeman. | was doin' the dou-
ble roll with a pair of Colts 45'S wheE
you was learnin' the taste of milk"
''Thatll be about all for YOU" said
the sheriff. grnning.
mo. it amt You amt takn' me
serious. and there's where you're max
in your mistake. I'm touchy about
some things, Mr.. PussyfoOt | could
IA got you three times while you was
ridn' down that trail, and | wouldn't
IA had to stop talllin to do it. And
you with that little old gun out before
you even seen mel
"Why didn't you, them" asked Ten
low. restraining his anger, for Louise,
in spite of herself had smiled ut Over
lands somewhat picturesque resent
ment. why didn't YOU. them"
Huh sn0rted Overland ScOrnfully
DO YOU suppose I'd start anything
with lady around: That amt my
some day.
Deputy Tenlow scowled. He was a
big man. slow of tongue. ordinarily
genial and proverblaily stupid. He
knew the tramp was endeavorng to
anger him. The deputy turned to Lou
Use. Sorry, Miss Lacharme, but got
to take him.
"There's really nothing to hinder. Is
there" Louise asked sweetly.
The tramp glanced up, addressing
the deputy. Yes. even now there is
something to hinder if | was to get
busy" Then he coolly dropped his
arms and leaned against the rock with
manner sometimes supposed to reflect
social ease and elegance. But I'm
game to take what's comm. If you'll
Just stick me up and extract the 3S
automatic I'm packin on my hip
and. believe me. she's a bad Cat when
, she's in action-why, III feel lots bet
ter. The little gun might get to shoot
in by herself and then somebody
would get hurt sure. You see. I'm Civ
in YOU all the chance you want to take
me without gettin musSed up. In
nervous about firearms anyhow"
Deputy Dick Tenlow advanced ant
secured the gun.
s,N- ii -.,.l. 4 bnl n
a sigh; NOW, | amt ashamed to lool
"A gun in the face. You see. miss h'
added turning to address the girl, 4"
was sheriff of Abilene once in the oil
red eye. rulnpuS days, | have plant
ed some citizens in my time You see
| Kind of owe the ones did plant
silent apology for lcttin' this her
chicken raurhcr get me 5" easy.
"lou talk big" said Tenl"w. laugh
! lng Who was YOU when you wa
sheriff of Abilene. ch?'
Jack Summers. sometimes calle
Red Jack Summers" replied Overlan
! quietly, and he looked the deputy 1
! the eye.
! Jack Summers.
4
! it. You'll find out some day. And no,
I you got some excuse for packin' gu
! round these here peaceful hills an
! valleys the rest of your life. You too
! Jack Summers. and there amt gOin' I
! be II funeral
! Something about the tramps manne
! inclined the deputy to believe that h
! had spoken the truth. "All right sal
! Tcnlow. Just step ahead. Don't tr
I the brush or I'll drop you
! Course yon would" said Overland
! stepping ahead Of the deputy's pom.
! But the bunch you're iakin' order
! from don't want me dead; they wal
! me alive. amt no good all shot u
I You ought to know that"
II know there's Il thousand dolla
I reward for you. ! need the money
! Overland Red grinned. ITS again