The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-01-29
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 a moment at the house of
Bad Anse Havey, 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 a 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
L reckon" he said slowly. they'll
have the nell of time KILN me
noWl" 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.
mo, 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 and started for Peril before
the five turned back did not reach
their destination. but scattered into
the hi1lsides. When morning brought
the news of their attempt they tried
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 nc house for
food, the fugitiyes 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
in the mountains at the gap, but the
railroad came on terms quite different
from those which Mr.. Trevor and his
iIk had planned.
One day there rode away from the
college q gay little procession on its
way TO the McBriar domain At its
head rode Young Milt, and on a pill
lion behind him, as mountain brides
had 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
young person now whose Christian
name is Anse Havey. though his IA
ther insists he is to be ultimately
known as Bad Anse'' McBriar
One autumn day, when the air was
as full of sparkle as champagne. and
the big sugar tree just outside the
hospital window was flaming in an &C.
stasy Of color. Miss Dawn Havey
opened her eyes on the world and
found it acceptable.
Jeb McNash was riding through the
country that October seeking election
to the legislature.
He drew his horse down by the
fence.
'.Anse," he said in his slow dravl.
'4n's a pity she's gal now, hain't it?"
Anse shook his head Il reckon"
he said, shes got more chance to be
Ike her mother. Her mother made
these hills better for being here. and
besides"
He looked cautiously about and
dropped his voice. as If speaking OF a
forbidden subject, yet into it crept e
note of pride. Besides. young feller,
have you got any more notches on the
stock of your gun than she has?"