Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-11

watched lone man who had defied
them minister 10 their infamous lead
er. They were docile-almost meek,
Ellis Hardy was not even Of their
country. He was of weakened breed
in their estimate OF mems strength.
And yet he dominated
+, There on the threshold they had be-
held in him a difference; through the
long process of cleansing and dressing
the wound they had sensed growth
of that impression; and now he had
stood among them and accused Texas
of lie, hurting the accusation into
their faces with heedlessness of con-
sequences that was disarming, strip
ping the outlaw of four words OF re.
ply.
Then, as though it were nothing-a
mere incident he had turned his
back to them and gone to the bedside,
holding aloof as though even CONVEX
sational contact were disgusting.
And all the time he had been in the
house he had thought that thing; he
! had repressed expression of that con.
tempt until the pressing portion of his
mission had passed.
He had forgotten their consequence
had presumed upon them; then
when he had time--when he had time
he turned to call them liars,
SO they sat and watched and won
dered. Without even so much as an
exchange OF glances they knew what
the others were thinking. They had
picked this man with the idea that he
would be putty in their hands; and
here they were, actually cowed by
him.
The rain had ceased popping on the
roof, but the wind blew stronger and
the red stove in the corner roared and
beloved with the clustering draft.
The smoke from the rancher's pipe
rose swiftly, for he stood where
ascending heat-waves would catch it.
Sam Davort scarcely blinked, so
! closely did he watch Hardys actions.
And Texas slumped forward on the
hard chair, toying with his knife
again, wonder in his hard eyes.
Minutes dragged into hours with
that tensity; cons of time when by
without a spoken word And not once
did this Fastener, by look or sound or
gesture, betray symptom of ill-ease;
from his manner he might have been
watching case in a dead white hos.
pital ward surrounded by attentive as
sistants, with the roar of controlled
traffic coming through the walls, in.
stead of in log.cabin, watched by
bandits at night. alone, knowing not
where, with only the sob of prairie
wind outside.
The end came--,the doctor held the
outlaws wrist between his fingers and
eyed the watch in his other hand
Then he drew the blanket close 10
Sears chin and turned to look at the
other three, gazing from one to the
other searchingy, granting them at
tention as individuals for the second
the since he began work
THAT is all can do now" he said
bruskly, and rolled down his sleeves.
None spoke in answer-none moved.
The rancher finally opened the stove
door and threw in more wood.
Reckon he'll pull through. doc?"
he asked
Hardy shook his head and pursed
his lips grimly.
Il can't tell--no one can He was
in bad shape when got to him, with
a lot OF splintered bone in there. He
wants care and Quiet--whch he may
not get if certain people learn where
he Isl" with significant nod
Texas looked up at him malevo
lently.
How are they going to find out?"
he asked, insinuation in the tone that
clearly meant to intimidate.
"a hundred ways are possible" the
doctor answered, glaring defiance and
contempt straight at the fellow and
Texas looked almost shocked.
This man would not be frightened
He would not grant that those three
who were in the room with him had
any qualities that might warrant hest
tation in opposing them.
And they were accustomed to awe,
to a fevered willingness to do their
bidding. to readiness to agree in
their voiced opinions. But this man
would none Of 1t. He was himself UNI
afraid--and yet only soft-handed
young chap from an Eastern city.
Then followed his detailed drec.
tons for caring for Sears, caution
ings. once or twice gentle plea; and.
We'll that's all for tonight
Who's to show me the way home?"
Texas shut his knife and rose
slowly.
Put on your slicker, doc, an well
be goin'," he said, without looking at
Hardy.
Hour after hour 1t seemed. they
rode without a word. The night was
n trifle less black, but objects were IN.
distinguishable even beside the track
they followed.
Hardy was worn out, but sleep did