The Irish standard., 1917-03-10

~SS~~ASNS
looked at his watch. The down stage
bringing Nan back would be due in
less than an hour,
"Jim." he said thoughtfully, you
are doing the right thing in showing
some goodwill toward the Morgans."
'Now, I'm glad you think that, sir"
"You know unintentionally rubbed
their backs the wrong way in dragging
Sassoon out"
'They're Jealous of their power, !
know-very Jealous"
'This seems the chance to show that
have no real animosity myself toward
the outfit"
Since De Spain was not looking at
him, McAlpin cooked two keen and
curious eyes on the sphinxlike birth
mark Of the very amiable speakers
face. However, the astute boss, if he
wondered, made no comment. "When
the stage comes in" continued De
Spain quietly, "have the two grays-
Lady and Ben-hitched to my own
light wagon. I'll drive her over to the
gap myself"
'The very thing" exclaimed Meal
pin, staring and struggling with his
breath.
I'm some way I've happened, both
times I talked with her, to get in
wrong-understand?" McAlpin, with
clearing wits, nodded more than once.
'No fault Of mine; it just happened
SO. And she may not at first take
kindly to the idea of going with me-"
II see."
"But she ought to do it. She will
be tired-it's long, dusty ride for
well woman, let alone one that has
been Ill.,
$50 it is, so it isl"
De Spain looked now shamelessly at
his ready-witted aid. "See that her
pony is lame when she gets here
can't be ridden. But you'll take good
care Of him and send him home in
few days-get it?"
McAlpin half closed his eyes. Hell
be so lame it would stagger cowboy
to back him ten feet-and never be
hurt mite, neither. Trust met"
or even walking home" continued De
Spain obviously, for he felt instinc.
lively that he should have the task of
RS Sf to eSSse Nan to nfeR de any
walk with her anyway. Can you sleep
me here tonight, on the hay?"
"Sleep you on hair mattress, sir.
You've got room right here upstairs,
didn't you know that?'
With arrangements so begun, De
Spain walked out Of doors and looked
reflectively up the Sleepy Cat road.
One further refinement in his appeal
for Mans favor suggested itself. She
would be hungry, possibly faint in the
heat and dust, when she arrived. He
returned to Mc41pin: "Where can
get a good cup Of coffee when the
stage comes IMP
"Go right down to the inn, sir. It's
new chap running tia half-witted
man from Texas. My wife is cooking
there off and on. She'll fix you up
sandwich and a cup Of good Coffee"
1t was four o'clock, and the sun beat
fiercely on the desert. De Spain walked
down to the inp unmindful of the heat
In summer rig, with his soft-shirt col.
lar turned under, his forearms bare
and his thoughts engaged, he made his
way rapi on, looking neither to the
right nor the left.
AS he approached the weather-beater
pile it looked no more inviting in sun.
shine than it had looked in shadow;
and, true to it's traditions, not a livins
being was anywhere to be seen. The
door of the office stood ajar. De Spain
pushing it all the way open, walked in
No one greeted him as he crossed the
threshold, and the unsightly room was
still bare of furnishings except for the
bar, with it's two broken mirrors.
De Spain pounded on the bar. His
effort to attract attention met with nc
response. He walked to the left enc
of the bar. lifted the handrail that
inclosed the space behind it. anf
pushed open Che door between the MIR
rors leading to the back room. This
too, was empty. He called out-there
was no response. Mrs. McAlpin hac
apparently gone home for while.
1rritated at the desertion of the
place, due, he afterward. learned, tc
the heat of the afternoon, and desap
pointed at the Illustration of his pur.
pose, he walked back to the Office. AS
he lifted the handrail and, PASSING
through, lowered It behind him, he
took out his watch to see how soon the
stage was dye. While he held the time.
pieee in his hand he heard rapid
clatter Of hoofs approaching the place
Thinking it might be Scott and Lefe.
yer arriving from the south an hour
ahead of time, he started toward the
front door-which was still opep-to
greet them. Outside, hurried footsteps
reached the door lust ahead Of him
and large man, stepping quickly into
the room, confronted De Spain. One
Of the mans hands rested lightly on
his right side. De Spain recognized
him instantly; the small, dr0oping