The Lamar register., 1917-06-20

plclon upperlOst in his mind. HAS
that slat-eyed, fiat-headed, sun-sapped
sneak of Scotchman been complain
Ing of my work? That, Mr. de Spain"
emphasized Bull leaning forward, "is
what | want to know first-is 1t fair
question:"
Bull" returned De Spain with
corresponding and ceremonial empha-
sis, at is u fair question between man
and man. / admit it /; it is a fair ques-
tion. And l answer no, Bull. Meal
pin has had nothing on the face Of
the desert to do with my sending for
you. And l add this because know
you want to hear It: he says he
couldn't complain of your work, be-
cause you never do any"
THAT man." persisted Bull, re-
enforced by the hearty tone ard not
clearly catching the drift of the very
last words, drinks more liquor than
/ do"
"He must be some tank. Bull"
"And 1 don't hide it, Mr.. de Spain"
you'd have to crawl under Music
mountain to do that. What | want to
know is, do you like your jobT"
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 a prclimi-
nary to his discharge. mo matter
Interposed the latter, cutting Bulls
rambllngs short, drop it, Bull. l want
you to do something for me, and TN
pay for it"
Bull, with n palsied smile and II
deep, quavering note of gratitude, put
up his shaky hand. "Say what. That 5
all. I've been paid
"You know you're n sot, Bull"
Bull nodded. 81 know it."
"a disgrace to the Maker whose
image you were made in"
Bull started, but seemed, on rehec-
tion, to consider this a point on which
he need not commit himself.
"Sull, believe there's a man in you
yet. Something. at any rate. you
couldn't completely kill with whisky,
Bull-whati'
Bull lifted his weak and wntery
eyes. His whisky-seamed face bright
eped into the ghost of smile. what
I'm going to ask you to do" continued
De Spain, SIS mans Job. You can
get into the gap without trouble. You
are the only man l car put my hand
on lust now that can. l want you to
ride over this morning and hang out
around Duke Morgan's place till you
can get a chance to see Miss Nan
At the mention Of her name Bull
shook his head Moment in affirma-
D.
exclaimed with admlring but pungent
expleuves. "a queenl'
'T think so, Bull. But she is In
troublesome circumstances. You know
Nan and +"
Bull winked in many ways.
"And her Uncle Duke is making US
trouble, Bull. l want you to find her
speak with her. and bring word to me
as to what the situation is. That
doesn't mean you're to get drunk over
therein fact, l don't think anybody
over there would give you a 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 a horse
will bring you"
Bull passed his hand over his mouth
with a show of resolution. 1t indi-
Gated that he was pulling himself to
gether Within half an hour he was
on his way to the gap.
For De Spain hours never dragged
as did the hours between Bulls start
ing and the setting Of the sun that
night without his return. And the sur
set behind Music mountain in drit
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 th'
stove In the office when he heard th'
sound of hoofs. In another momeh
Bull Page stood at the door.
He was a sorry sight. Soaked Il
the skin by the steady downpour
rain dripping internationally from his
frayed hat, his ragged beard and tn
tered coat; shaking with the cold Us
II gripped by an ague, Bull, picking
his staggering steps to the fire, ant
sinking In a heap into a chair, sym
bolized the uttermOst tribute Of man
hood to the ravages of whisky. He
was not drunk He had not even beer
drinking; but his vitality was gone
He tried to speak. II was impos