The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-09-14


revolver in q vague circle with un-
decided arm On his face was a vacant
grin, in strong contrast to the smile
on the silent face of the man stretched
before him. On the quiet form in the
stained sawdust were the garments OF
a priest-and the cause for his attitude
was apparent in a little pool of Grim
son which was oozing through his
black robes and slowly spreading on
the floor.
In the rocking air OF the unventi-
lated barroom the sharp smell of smoke
less powder and the faint mist from a
recently exploded cartridge pervaded
the atmosphere. Back of the bar was
the keeper, Pitt himself, whose instinct
after long experience on the frontier
had taught him to raise his hands
above his head when revolver was
drawn. He had them in this position
now, but was leaning forward, with
horror-strcken expression, needless even
of his own safety should the man by
the door turn upon him.
Behind, in the billiard and gambling
room which adioined, a couple of Mexi-
can kitchen employees jabbered prayers
in superstitious terror. Beyond their
rapid mumbling the only sounds to be
heard were the roaring OF the stove IN
one corner and the wailing OF the WIND
outside.
The silence seemed to affect the man
with the revolver Had others been
present, had sudden rush been made
at him, his faculties would have been
awakened at once, his fighting nature
brought to the surface. But the falnt
sounds which only seemed to emphasize
the stiffness appeared to puzzle and
confuse him as he passed one hand over
faded. For few minutes he stood
gazing down blankly at the recumbent
figure his face twitching as the facts
forced themselves into his partially
stupefied brain. :,
1t was a gentle face which looked
up from the foor-maintaining even
in its present position and with closed
ewes the dignity it had worn as long as
Welleston had known it. 1t was the
face of man of fifty, with prematurely
snow-white hair, the deep burrows
down the smooth shaver face, which
told of struggles of the past, seeming to
soften its outlines rather than to make
them more rugged. And as Welleston
stared his remembrance came back
with a start.
But regret was not his first impulse.
Instead, he quickly Strengthened him
self against the door, tightening his
grip on his revolver and glanclng
Rurriedly out of the window to see
that no chance wayfarer was approach
ing the place.
keep 'em up, SAM" he said in o
meaning tone to Pitt as the latter
showed signs of lowering his hands.
But he's dead, Bill" exclaimed the
saloonkeeper in an awed tone, tho
situation lending him courage.
"Step out here till go through
YOU" responded Welleston briefly
The saloon keeper complied ant
Welleston passed hand over him II
quest of weapons, then walked behlnt
the bar and picked up the revolye
which, stuck muzzle downward IN
board beneath the counter, lay ready t
his hand. A shotgun with barrel
sawed off short he picked up AM
unloaded, then thrust into cupboar'
which he locked.
"Now, look him over" he ordered
Pitt dropped on his knees at one
and pulled aside the robes for a
examination of the wound Then h
looked up with silent shake Oh tn
head.
Fright through the stomach, " h
xybisnered. "no one could stand tina