Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-05
last words, drinks more liquor than

KNOW Is, 10 you ike your JOD!
On this point it was impossible to
get an expression from Bull. He felt
convinced that De Spain was press
ing for an answer only as u prelimi-
nary to his discharge. "N0 matter"
interposed the latter, cutting Bulls
rambIings short, 'tlrop it, Bull. ] want
you TO do something for me, and I'll
pay for it,"
Bull, with palsied smile and n
deep, quavering note of gratitude put
up his shaky hand. Say what. That's
all. I've been paid"
"You know you're sot. Bull"
Bull nodded. 81 know It,"
"A disgrace to the Maker whose
image you were made In"
Bull started. but seemed. on reflec-
ti0n. to consider this Il point on which
he need not commit himself
"Still. ! believe there's a man in you
yet. Something. at any rate. You
couldn't completely kill with whisky,
| Bnll--whatT'
Bull lifted his weak and watery
eyes. His whisky-seamed face bright
ened into the ghost of a smile. "What
I'm going to ask YOU to do" continued
De Spain. us q mans job. You can
get into the gap without trouble. You
are the only imam can put my hand
on just now that cnn. d want you to
ride over this morning snnd hang out
around Duke Morgnn's place till you
can get a cllano to see Miss Nan"
AT the mention of her name Bull
shool; his head moment in atfirma-
tive approval. "Shes Il Queen." he
exclaimed with admiring but pungent
explosives. "A queen"
~ think so, Bull. Eut she is in
troublesome circumstances. You know
Nan and l."
Bull winked in many ways.
"And her Uncle Duke is making us
trouble, Bull. | want you TO find her
speak with her and bring word to me
MS to what the situation is. That
doesn't mean you're to get drunk over
therein fact, don't think anybody
over there would give you n drink"
Don't believe they would"
And you are to ride back here with
what you can find out just as quick,
after you get into the clear, as Il horse
will bring YOU"
Bull passed his hand over his mouth
with show of resolution. II indi.
Gated that he was ,niiling himself 10
f. gether. Within hall an hour he was
on his way to the gap.
For De Spain hours neve, dragged
rs did the hours between Bulls start
ing and the setting Of the sun tina
night without his return. And the SUI
set behind Music mountain in drift
Of heavy clouds that brought rain. AL
evening It fell steadily. AT clever
o'clock De Spain had given up hop'
of seeing his emissary before morn
Ing and was sitting alone before Thu
stove in the Office when he heard thu
sound Of hoofs. In another momen
Bull Page stood at the door.
He was sorry sight. Soaked t.
the skin by the steady downpour
rain dripping internationally from hi
frayed hat, his ragged beard and ia
tered coat; shaking with the cold n
il gripped by an ague Bull, pickin,
his staggering steps to the fire. an,
sinking IN n heap into 4 chair, sym
boized the uttcrmost tribute of man
hood TO the rnvages Of whisky. I'll
| was not drunk. He had not even beer
drinking: but his vitality was gone
He tried to speak. 1t was lmpos
! sible. His tongue would not franz
words nor his thront utter them. II
! could only look helrlessly Mt ID
Spain as De Spain hastily made hin
stand up ON his shaking knees, threw
a big blanket around him, sat hll
down, kicked open the stove drafts
| and called TO .McAlpin for more wills
| Ky to steady tho wreck of'it crouch
: Ing over the fire.
| McAlpin. after considerable aud re
( luctant search. produced a bottle, an
y unwilling, fDr more reasons thaa On,
TO trust ii to Bulls uncertain posses
! sion, brought Il clipper. Bull held tn
! dipper while De Spain poured. McA
= pin behind the stove, hoped first o
: one foot and then on the other as d
! Spain rwklessly continued 10 pou
+ When the liquor hnlf filled the cul
McAlpin put out unndstakable di'
h tress signals, but Bull, watching tn
: brown stream. his eyes galvanized q
l the sight held fast to the thaMlle an
+ made no sign,,tO stop. "R,ill" thur
: lered the barn boss with MI emphntl
( word. "'rhat is Elpaso's bottle. VIII,
r are you ,lrpnming of. man? Mr. 4
V Spain. you'll kill him. i7Don't ye 80
z he can't tell sc Ia stOp?"
: Bull. with the last Pickering spar
of vitality still left within hinLtiooke
' steadily up and wlnled ut Dr Spai'
t McAlpin, outraged, stamped OH
y the room. S,eadying the clipper