The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1917-02-09
CHAPTER XXX.

There still remained the task Of
winning young Jeb's assent to his plan.
and Anse Havey foresaw . stubborn
battle there. Jeb had been reading
law that winter; reading by the light
Of log IRE through long and lonely
evenings in smoke-darkened cabin.
When Anss Hayey called from the
stile one night. the boy laid battered
Blackstone on his thin knee and called
out: Come In. Anss. and pull up .
cheeri.
Anse had been rehearsing his argu-
ments ~ he rode through the sleet-
dashed hills. and no was deeply trou-
bled.
The man and the boy sat on either
side Of the fireplace. Penetrating
gusts swept In ut the broken chinking
and mp through the warped floor until
old Beardog. lying at their feet, shiv-
cred ~ he slept with his forepaws
stretched on the hearth and the two
men hitched their chairs nearer to the
blaze. By the bed still stood the rifle
that had been F1etch's; the rife upon
which the boys eyes Always fell and
which to him was the symbol Of his
duty.
Az Bad Anse Havey talked Of the fu-
tire with all the instructive forceful.
Less that he could command. the boys
set face relaxed. and into his eyes
came CLINT Of eagerness, because he
himself was to play NO small part I'm
these affairs.
Into his heart crept the first burning
Of ambition. the nrst reaching out
after Q career. He saw . future open.
ing before him. and his grave eyes
were drinking I'm pictures in the live
emberu.
Then. when ambition had been kin
died, the older man broached the topic
which was the crux OF his plea.
"The man that can do things for the
mountains must be willin' to make
heap of sacrifices. Jeb." he said.
Jeb laughed. looking about the bare
room Of his cabin.
MEX sacrifices?" he repeated. II
hain't never knowed nothin' else but
that reckon hain't skeered Of It"
Fl didn't mean that way. Jeb." Anse
spoke slowly, holding the boy with his
eyes. and something Of his meaning
sank in 30 that the lads lean face
again hardened.
"Nothin' KANT stand between me an
what I've got ter do. Anse." he said
slowly. He did not speak now with
wild passion, but calm finality. eve
done took Their OATH"
For q while Anse Havey did not re-
ply. At last he said quietly: IT reckon
we've got rid Of the idea that was
aimin' to deceive We. Jeb. I told ye
that when F1etch's assassin came back
to the mountains I'd let ye know. I'm
goin' to keep my word"
Jeb rose suddenly from his chair
and stood with the fire lighting up his
| ragged trousers and the fraSed sleeves
of his coat
"Air he back nowf" he demanded.
Anse shook his head.
mot yet, Jeb; but he's coming" He
saw the twitch that went across the
tight-closed lips which made no com.
ment.
"Jeb," he continued. IT want ye to
help me. I want ye to be big enough
to put by things that it's hard to put
by"
The boy shook his head.
"Anse," he replied slowly. TASK me
ter do anything else in God Almighty's
world. but don't ask me tibet. cause II
ye does I've got ter deny ye."
| 81 amt askin' We to let the man 20
unpunished. I'm only askin' you to let
me punish him with the law"
Advertisement was writ large in
1 every feature of Jsb's face. He stood
/ in the wavering circle of light while
| the shadows swallowed the corners of
the cabin. and wondered IL he had
heard rightly. At last his voice carried
/ a note of deep disappointment, and he
spoke ~ though unwilling to utter
/ such reasonable words.
Tsreckon. Anse," he suggested. I'VE
wouldn't hardly hev asked thing like
tibet afore"-there was hesitating
halt before he went, on-"afore q fur.
I'm woman changed yore fashion Of
lookin. at things.
Anse Havey felt his face redden,
and an angry retort rose to his lips.
But the charge was true.
He went ON ~ though Jeb had mot
spoken.
IAN AK b that when that man
comes Yen hold your hnnd until the
cote han acted"
Docs ye reckon Nit McBriar aims
~ Bst Steering ny hin Of hisf'' was