The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-07-08


landing Bryce ran. Beside the donkey
stood neat tier Of frewood; In the
| chopping block. where the donkey
fireman had driven 1t prior to aban-
| doning his post TO view. the contest
| between Bryce and Jules Rondeau, was
a double-bltted axe. Bryce jerked II
loose, swung II, whrled on his pur-
suers, and rushed them. Like turkeys
scattering before the mid of n coyote
they fled In divers directions and from
safe distance turned to gaze ap-
prehenslvely upon this demon they
had been ordered TO bring In.
Bryce lowered the axe, removed his
hat. and mopped his moist brow. From
the center OF the clearing men were
crawling or staggering to safety
with the exception Of the Black
Mlnorca. who lay moaning softly.
Colonel Pennington. seeing his fondest
hopes expire, lost his head completely.
Get or my property, you savage p
he shrilled.
Don't be nut, Colonel" Bryce re-
turned soothlngly. "rll get off--when
] get good aud ready, and not a second
sooner. In fact, was trying to get
OFF as rapidly as could when you
sent your men TO bring me back
Prithee why. old thing7 Didst crave
more conversation with me. or dldst
want thy camp cleaned outr
He started toward Pennington, Who
backed hastily away. Shirley stood
her ground, bending upon Bryce, as he
approached her. cold and disapprov-
ing glance. "I'll get YOU yet the
Colonel declared from the shelter of
an old stump behind which he had
taken refuge.
Barking dogs never bite, Colonel.
And that reminds me: I've heard
enough from you. One more cheep
out of you. my friend, and I'll go up
to my logging-camp, return here with
a crew of blnenoses and wild Irish and
run your wops, bohunks, and cholos
out of the county. l don't fancy the
class of labor you're importing into
this county. anyhow"
The Colonel evidently deciding that
discretion was the better part of valor
promptly subsidized. although Bryce
could see that he was mumbling threats
to himself, though not in an audible
voice.
The demon Cardigan halted beside
Shirley and stood gazing down at her.
He was smiling at her whinisically.
She met his glance for few seconds
then her lids were lowered and she BIT
her lip with vexation.
shirley" he said.
"You are presumptuous," she qua
vered.
You set me an example in presump-
tion," he rctorted good humoredly
did you not call me by my first name
a minute ago?" The heir to Cardi-
gan's redwoods bent over the girl.
You spoke to me-after your promise
not to, Shirley" he said gently. you
VIII always speak to me-"
She commenced to cry softly. 81
loathe you" she sobbed.
"For you have the utmost respect |
and admiration" he replied.
mo, you haven't. If you had, you
wouldn't hurt my uncle-the only hn-
man being in all this world who is
dear TO me-
Gosh 7" he Inurmured plaIntively
I'm Jealous OF that man. However
I'm sorry I hurt him. | give you my
word | came here TO fight fairly"
"He merely tried TO stop you from
lighting"
"No, he didn't, Shirley. He inter.
'ered and fosed me. Still, despite
hat, IL | had known you were spec
ator | think should have controlled
myself and refrained from pulling off
NY vengeance I'm your presence.
'hall never cease TO regret that sub
ected you to such a distressing spec
acle. ] do hope. however, that you
will believe me when tell you / am
l-t a bully, although when there is n
light worth while. never dodge II.
And this time fought for the honor
If the House OF Cardigan"
IF you want me to believe that, you
will beg my uncle's pardon"
Il can't do that. He Is my enemy
md / shall hate him forever; shall
light him and his way of doing business
Until he reforms or am exhausted"
'You realize, of course, what your
nsistence on that plan means. Mr..
Jardlgan?"
Call me Bryce" he pleaded.
You're going TO call me that some day
lnyhow, so why not start now?"
"You are altogether insufferable,
'ir. Please so AWAY and never pre-
iume to address me again. You are
luite impossible"
He shook his head. Il do not give
lp that readily, Shirley. didn't
now how dear-what your friendship
meant TO me until you sent me away;
didn't think there was any hope until
'ou warned me those dogs were hunt.
ng me--and called me Bryce" He
Ield out his hand. "'God gave us our