The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-02-17
CHAPTER XXI.
"lshoms Of Oklahoma"

w ed himself. 81 amt saying
nothing" he explained to
Wllfred. because he amt pervious to
reason and It does him good to get that
out Of his system"
LET me make suggestion" ex-
claimed wIlfred suddenly.
Wilcox looked at him suspiciously.
III II amt counter TO my plans
ut isn't It's this: Suppose We drop
the subject TIL tomorrow. II won't
hurt any OF us 20 sleep on II, and
know I'd enjoy another night with
you. as In the old days"
I'm willing to sleep on II out OF
friendship" Wilcox conceded unwil.
lingly. though Id rest easier on n bed
In the jail. There never was no bird
more crazy to get into a cage than
am TO be shut up. But as to the old
days. they amt none left. Them depu.
ties Is In the dugout; they're In the
cabin ! built for Laboma; they think
they owns our cove. Well, they's no
place left for me- Life wouldn't be
nothing crouching aud sinking up here
In the rocks Life wouldn't be nothing
10 me without Lahoma. Id have
pretty chance for happiness now.
wouldn't I. sitting up somewhere with
BIZ Atkinsf ! amt saying ! mightn't
get out OF this country and find a safe
spot where ! could live free and dis
posed with an old renegade like him
that nobody amt after aud amt AGAR
Ing whether he's above ground or In
kingdom come. But couldn't be with
Lahomn. I'm under ban"
"lf you were ON my farm near Okla.
homa city" Wilfrcd suggested. and
Lahoma aud lived In the city you
modest you. nobody'd know you. That's
what I've been planning. You could
look after the farm. and pill could go
back aud forth. AS soon rs the news
comes that Red Feather killed Glcd
ware it'll be taken for granted that he
killed Red Klmball aud attacked the
stage. You'll he cleared OF all that.
and nobody will want you arrested"
Wilcox rose. Are we going TO sleep
on this or shall answer you nowT''
he demanded fixedly.
Wilfred hastily asked for time.
They passed the night In the noun
tain top. But wilcox had spoken tru.
ly-therc were no old days. The one
subject forbidden was the only subject
In their minds. All attempts nj rem
iniscence. at irrelevant anecdotes, were
mere prctensc. The fact that Wilfred
and Lahoma were now married seem.
ed To Danish events OF month ago as
IL they were years and years In the
past.
The next morning they had breakfast
In the gray dawn and departed for the
town. Brick Wilcox was determined
TO yield himself TO the power Of the
law. IAhoma had gone out Of his life
and he cared little as to what happened
90 him.
In oppressive silence they skirted
Turtle hill and emerged from the
horseshoe tend. finding In a sheltered
nook the three ponies that Wilfrcd had
provided III nightfall. He had hoped
To the last that Wilcox could be pre-
vailed ~ to alter his decision, and even
while riding away toward Mangum he
argued and coaXed. but IL was h.
vain. and as they clattercd up To the
hotel vcruuda Wilcox was searching
the crowd for glimpse Of the sheriff.
The street was unusually full for that
time OF night. Some topic of engroS.
sing interest seemed to engage al!
minds until Willork's figure was recog
nizcd: then, indeed. he held the center
of attention Men gathered eagerly
curiously. but without the hostility
they would have displayed had not a
message regarding Red Feather reach
eel the town. Brick was still nm out.
law. to be sure. but whatever crimes
he had committed were unknown
hence unable Co react ou the imagina
ton The surviving friend Of Red
Kimball, giving up his efforts against
Wilcox on the liberation of BIN, had
left the country, harmless without rs
leader
Conversation which had been louG
aud excited, eager calls from street cor
ncrs that had puurtuatcd the man:
iongued argument ana exposition. dih
ned 10 silence There was n forward
movement Of the mon, not n rush, bG'
4 vibrutory swell Of The human tide
pushing toward the steps of the hotc..
fhe two riderless horses danced sid.
wise. Brick Wilcox had jumped upon
che unpaintad floor OF the yeranda, and
Willred had sprung lightly 10 his side
I'm just keep ON my horse" mutter-
ed Bill, resting one leg stllly over the
pommel II can't get up as ! used to,
and expect TO stay with ye. Brick, Ia
the jail docr."
Wilcox did not turn his shaggy head
20 answer. lie had seen the sheriff M
the other end of the piazza. and hc
made straight for him. not even COZ
descending TO IA grin when ire oih~
installing his intentions, whipped ou
his revolver