The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-03-22

toNhis wife, saying that she might ex-
pect MIN In Denver by the end of the
week. But this letter was not mailed
AS Mcfarland approached the postof-
nee, which stood across the road from
Fallon's, Jennings, whose cot COM
manded a view of the thoroughfare,
caught sight Of his physician, and, in
delirium, seized his pistol and, more
by accident than skill, shot Mcfarland
through the leg. The sound of the
shot brought Fallon and the loafers at
the bar to the door. They picked the
wounded man up and carried him into
jennings room. There they laid him
upon a cot beside that of the sick min
err, and dressed his wound.
Good shot-for a loony man, Ell,
Doc?" laughed one.
Clipped a neat little hole right
through the calf" joked another.
Never broke thing" observed Fal-
Ion. you'll be fit to travel on
crutches in couple of days"
I'll get good and square with 'Jen'
nings for this" declared Mcfarland in
a passion.
At which the assembly laughed, and
Jennings, who had recovered his wits
grinned and said: I'm the mean time
havin' collected your tools for you, I'd
be obliged fer jab of DOPE
"All right, you idiot" retorted Nc
Farland doctor yourself to death, fol
all care. Give me that blue bottle
and the needle, Fallon.
The Irishman dug them out of the
case and examined them critically
Look here, Doc, will this dope xii
him?" he asked.
mo; but that's not the way to treat
typhoid. Besides, | don't think he's
got half the pain he says he has. Il
don't go with the disease. believe
he likes the effect"
1t was decided, however, that since
they were assured that the hypoder
mic injections, given in moderation
would not kill the patient, he should
have them whenever the pain became
intense.
In five days jennings was dead; ant
on the day after his demise vigilance
committee, composed of friends of the
late mine foreman, waited upon DIR
Bruce Mcfarland. 1 1t was very clea1
to the committee that he had hypoder
mically poisoned Jennings, in revenge
for that shot through the leg. Hal
they not heard him declare, that h,
would get even?
About mile from the camp, and
hundred yards from the trail, stood |
great blasted oak; pointing solitar.
bare limb southwark. In the distance
this tree looked like one-armeC
scarecrow. The vigilance COMMITTEES
found the spot to its liking. The.
placed Mcfarland under the gaun
limb, threw moose over it, and fast
ened it about his neck.
IF you've got anything to say, sa.
1t quick" enjoined Davis, chairman 0
the committee Its noon, an you
times up
Mcfarland moistened his dry lip
with his tongue, and began: Il know
there's nothing that can say whicl
will convince you of my innocence
but | could prove it If you'd give M
a chance. | propose to give mysel
the same sort of an injection as CAV
Jennings. What do you say?"
Without waiting to hear the commit
tees decision, Fallon started back t
the camp on a run. In the mean tim
there was heated discussion of Nc
Farland's proposition, but the majorit,
voted against it's acceptance.
We've come to the conclusion" an
nounced Davis, that this proposition
of yours is square enough, only w
think that you'd durn sight rattle
die with the dope than accordin' t
regulations. And, not to be short witt
you, I'd remark that we opine as hang
in is jist about good enough for you.
AS Davis fastened a handkerchie
about McFarland's eyes, the rattle 0
| wheels and the drum of hoofs, comini
from the direction of camp, startle,
the committee for a moment. The,
concluded, however, that 1t must b
Fallon, who, in haste to return, ha,
doubtless pressed a. mule team int
service. In this surmise they wer
correct, but, to their establishment, b
did not come alone. Beside him sat
dainty little woman-such one a
had never before invaded the distric
of Bonded Spur clinging tightly t
his driving-arm. AS the team swun
Gathering from the trail, she jumpe,
from the wagon and ran toward tn
committee.
mo fool gal amt goin' to butt int
this ceremony" remarked Davis, ad
vancing to meet her.
Fallon, with the surgical case in hi
hand. pushed his way through tn
group. The girl looked up at his az
pearance and said timorously: "Tel
| them!"
This is McFarland's wife, he an
nounced The men looked from on
to the other grimly. she came u
in the stage. She was waitin' in hi
shack for him when | broke in for tn
dope. IL told her"
Davis touched the girls shoulder
TITS tough, little girl" he muttered