Tombstone epitaph., 1917-02-18

On the cinder platform Juanita looked about for Anse Havey. and she saw him standing in a group with Jeb and several other men whom she did not know-but Anse's face was not turned toward her. and 1t did not wear the look of expectancy that the thought of her usually brought there. Jeb's countenance, too. was white and set. and a breathless tensity seemed to hold the whole group in fixed taut- ness.
 There were several clumps of men standing about. all armed. and every face wore the same expression of wait ing sternness.
 A gasp of premonition rose to Jua- nita's lips as she caught the sinister spirit of suspense in the atmosphere Then Milt McBriar stepped down from the smoker vestibule. followed by an. other man.
 As the two turned In opposite direc- tions on the snow-covered platform. one of the men who had been standing with Bad Anse Havey laid hand on the shoulder of the clean-shaven ar rival and said in a clear voice: Luke Thixton, l want ye fer ther murder of Fletch McNash."
 Old Milt McBriar, for once startled out Of his case-hardened self-control, wheeled and demanded angrily: What hell's trick is this?" His eyes were blazing and his face worked with pas sionate fury
 A deputy answered him: An Milt McBriar. I wants you. too. on an in dictment fer accessory ter murder"
 Juanita felt Dawn's spasmodic fn- gers clutch her arm and her own knees grow suddenly weak. She heard clat- ter of parcels as Young Min dropped them in the snow and leaped forward, his eyes kindling and his right hand frantically clawing at the buttons of overcoat and coat. But before he could draw. Jeb McNash had wheeled to face him, bending forward to half crouch. The younger McBriar halted and bent back under the glint of the revolver which Jeb was thrusting into his face.
 Haveys. armed and grim of visage, now began drawing close about the captives.
 Dawn clung with bloodless lips and white cheeks to Juanita as she watched Jeb holding his weapon in the face O. the boy whom she suddenly realized she loved more than her brother.
 Then the sheriff spoke again.
 Thar hain't no use in maxim no trouble. Milt. Ther grand jury hes done acted, an reckon ye'd better let the law take its course"
 Why don't ye take me, too?' de manded Young Milt in tense, passion at, voice Pm a McBriar. That's all ye've got against any of these men.
 The grand jury didn't indict ye son." responded the sheriff calmly.
 Then the elder McBriar bocame sud | denly quiet again and self-possessed He turned to his son.
 "Milt," he said. sternly, you keeI outen this. Ride over home an tel | every man that calls hisself Nc | Briar"-his voice suddenly rose in the defiant crescendo of a trapped lion tell every man that calls hisself { McBriar thet ther Haveys hev got me in ther damned iailhouse-an' ask 'eu ef they aims ter let me lay thar" | Young Milt turned and went at { run toward the livery stable. Over hi; ! ... h.. h. nnpy h.rl . Jeb. who stood looking after him witt lowered pistol: I'm goin' now. but II be back ter reckon with you,"
 And Jeb shouted. too: "Ye kain't come back none too soon. Milt. i'll b' hyar when ye comes"
 Then the group started on theil tramp toward the courthouse and thu little jail that lay at its side.
 Juanita suddenly realized that sht and Dawn were standing as If rooted to the spot. The older girl heard al inarticulate moan break from the lip: of the younger. and then, as though waking out of sleep. she looked a5 sently down at litter of beribbonec parcels which lay about her feet. Tha message which Old Milt had flung baci to his people on the lips of his soI would send tumbling to arms ever, man who could carry rife!
 And the Haveys were grimly waitin. for them. The Haveys were afread. there. The two girls could not rid' across the ridge now. They could onl! ] cit in thsfr room at the Wretched hO tel and wait. too.
 Juanita was glad Dawn could cry She couldn't. She could only lool ahead and see a procession of hideou possibilities.
 It had been a few minutes afte noon when Young Milt had rushed int the livery stable and ordered his horse In that one instant all his college in fuences had dropped away from him and he was following the fierce singl' star of clan loyalty.
 His father, who had never been an! mans captive. was back there in th' yermin-infested little jailhouse, a pris oner to the Haveys. And when YounI Milt came back, the one Havey he hal marked for his own was the Havey m der whose pistol muzzle he had beel forced to give back-young Jeb Nc Nash.
 The stroke had taken the McBriar completely by surprise. The boy mus reach his own territory and rally then ) to their fullest numbers. even iron l ThfG haffla