The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-11-21

and post-offlce were on the main
road" People ia hurry some
times avoided the corner by climb
ing the fence opposite the Baxter
gate. going through the Dawes pas
turc and over the little hill back OF
tho livery stable. and coming out In
the rear Of the posi-ofiice aud close
TO tho saloon
Captain Eri troited through the
pasture and over the hill Just as
he came TO the baybergy bushes on
the other side he stumbled and fell
fiat.
He knew what Il was that he had
stumbled over the moment that he
fell across II. and his fingers trem-
hled so that he could scarcely
scratch the match that he took
from his pocket But II was lighted
at last. and as its tiny blaze grew
brighter. the Captain saw John Bar-
ter lying face downward in the
path. his head pointed toward his
home and his feet toward the bill.
Hard saloon.
Lighting another match. Captain
Err examined the fallen man hur.
riedly. The old "Come-Outer" lay
In the path with his arms out
stretched. as N he had fallen while
running. One coai.slscye was
badly scorched. and from a pocket
In the coat protruded the neck
OF a bottle. The bottle was
empty. but It's odor was strong;
Il had contained kerosene The
evidence was clear. and the Captain
knew that what he had feared was
the truth.
Captain Fri weighed the chances.
Epeculaied on the result. and then
did what seemed 10 him right.
lie threw the bottle as far away
from the path as he could and
then stripped off the coat. and.
folding II into a small bundle. hid
Il in the bushes near by. Then
he lifted the limp body. and
turned n so that the gray head
was toward the billiard saloon
instead Of from Il.
Perez and Jerry were still busy
with the water buckets when their
friend came painting up the Knoll
20 tho pump. lie sent them hunt
ing for Or. Palmer. who was sure
10 be In the crowd somewhere. and
in few moments all four were
back over the way Captain Fri
had Just come.
John Baxter Was lying just as
the Captain had left him. and the
others watched anXiously ms the
doctor listened at the parted lips.
and thrust his hand inside the
faded blue waistcoat.
He's alive" he said. after a
moment. but unconscious. We
must get him home at once"
He heard the bell and was
runnin' TO the fire when he was
took" said Captain Jerry. Run
out in his shirtsleeves, and was
took when he got as fur as here. 3"
Il warned him against over
exertion or excitement months
ago" said the Doctor. I'VE must
find some one to take care of him
at once. don't believe the old
man has relation within a hun
dred miles
"Why don't we take him TO our
house7" suggested Captain Jerry.
'Twouldn't seem so plaguey lone
some. anyhow"
"By mighty" calculated Cap
tain Err in establishment. We'll,
Jerry, I'll be switched II you amt
right down brilliant once In n
while. He can have the spare
room. Why didn't | think OF that,
wonder?"
And 80 John Baxter. who had
not paid visit in his native vii.
lage since his wife died. came at
last to his friends home to pay
what seemed likely TO be Il final
one They carried him up the
stairs 10 the spare room. un.
dressed him as tenderly AS their
rough hands would allow. and laid
him in the big corded bedstead.
The Doctors examination of the
patient and demands for glasses
of water. teaspoons. and the like.
kept Perez and Jerry busy. II was
some time before they noticed that
Captain Fri had disappeared.
'Dyou think hell die. Doctor ?"
inquired Jerry In hushed voice.
AS they came out OF the sick room
into the connecting chamber.
Cant say. lie has had a
stroke of paralysis | don't think
he'll die tonight, but II he lives he
viii need a good nurse, and |