Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-08

III.
II didn't didn't know" Hardy
hsa'a himself maiteiins ar he fnmbIed
Win sears's clothing. feeling The
warm moisture beneath il
NO Use. doe" weakly "No M.
ms Time He smiled family. I'm
through feel tim through. NAV.
be--jdst as we'll Better this way =
WIN boots on~than capture
Footsteps of man running heavily
ana an inarticnlate exclamation.
hardy looked up into the face of
bob Mitchell, face peculiarly drawn
and characteriess in lis pallor.
Il COL him." he queried hoarselv.
When had him covered The doe.
tor mnttered, feeling an unholy con.
tempt for the big deputy. sensing no
immediate surprise nj his being there.
lie barred the wound and SO, about
TO stanch the flow of blood merely
rom sense of duty He knew il was
useless. knew that the rifle.baI han
torn its way through Sears's lung and
nom his utter helplessness, evidently
struck the spine
Inc deputy stood bending over
them. silent, breathing swiftly and
Hardy noticed that Sears did moi lin
ms eyes toward the officer, though he
was conscious and with faculties alert
Perhaps he had understood The 10.
Duke in Hardy's muttered answer 10
MltchelPs GREATNESS query, for his
eyes rested on The physicians face
with something in them akin to fond.
ness.
tell YOU, it amt no use. doc" lie
protested in low voice. "Then aft.
nosed bullets raises hell with a mans
works"
linen almost in tone of apology.
Il know you didn't mean it 10 he
so thaiaWay'
Ana even coming from an outlaw. A
man whose life or liberty he himself
had sought, Hardy heard the words (
with sense of relief: he wanted no
man 10 die with the heller that he
sanctioned shooting in the back
The doctor worked on in silence
gently, Tor he knew he miniStered
10 he last moments OF mans life.
i.ven had II been in a hospital ward.
he effort would have been futile. still
he must keep it up TO the end.
He could moi see how Bob Mitchell
shuitled his fee; and mostened his ips
and let his hands fidget, for all the ,
world like an IMPOSED schoolhnv. nor
did he hear the quick approach OF
Stumpine footsteps He knew an
other was beside them. bur that was
VI no consequence. He was busy: his
work excluded thought OF onlookers
InIil he Glanced ur and saw The vide
Ives OF Ruth Mitchell upon HIM
Hands dropped to his side. throat
lshtened he felt suddenly weak :ya
siiH he held his sa1e ~ ,
lers
Are YOU, hurt" she murmurad
tie shook his head. :
hink ''0dt" she whispered
Hardy looked al Sears again. The
outlaws eyes We're open and focused A
n The girls face, they were smiling.
liough his lips were passive He :
moved MS head from side to side, and :,
IS tf,w wrinkled rs though in pain. :,
II was white TO send her, 10 me-" ="
a. IA 10 - ltx |
done" d
sent herr" Hardy demanded, Z
boxing from Sears to Mitchell and a!
zen 10 Ruth. Sent herr" he re OF
Gated as though dazed re
The dying man spoke again, his OF
dice stronger, more steady his con n,
'iousness seemingly of Il firmer quail. IN
Y. n
III was more'n enough TO give me IN
/ word when you said | was well, :.
,c-more'n most would do"
He looked at Ruth as though TO OK. - -
ain. and said: when he got me well ~
> wouldn't touch my money said W
was dirty, Then he told me he'd al
me get me the next move made. de
AN guess he did, but they didn't ma
We us chance at tn bank" wander tS
G. And it busted through my ribs, sh
&c. it. Fl
Hardy stared grimlv at him and NJ,
ayers grasped his arm an
GRO BE CONTfNUED) la