The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-03-26

up we're now, a sellin' forty-rod ter so
jers. Cum u, long with him frun
, Beardstown. Frien o. mine. Yer jus
cum long with me--thas ALL"
! permitted him TO lead me. his voice
never ceasing as we followed the din
trail. ! made out little of what hi
said. nor did | question him. The
trail ended before a two-room log
cabin. so deeply hidden in the woods
of light shining out from within
through chnks in the walls. Tim fun
bled for the latch and finally opened
the door. lurching across the threshold
dragging me along after him. There
were two men at sloppy table, dis
reputable looking white woman stir
ring the contents of a pot hung over
the open fire, and fellow behind the
bar, attired in dingy white apron 1t
was all sordid enough, and dirty-a
| typical frontier grogshop; but the
| thing of most interest to me was the
proprietor. The fellow was the same
| red-mustached individual whom ! had
watched disembark from the steamer
that same afternoon. slipping in the
| yellow mud as he surmounted the
| bank, dragging his valise along after
him. So ii was this fellow passenger
who had given these fugitives refuge;
il WAS his presence in these parts
venture ashore. He glanced up at our
entrance. the glare of light overhead
revealing a deep. ugly scar across his
chin and pair of deep-set, scowling
eyes.
Back in time fer supper, hey. Ken
who's yer frien'?"
"A Teller whut's eoin' ter enlist
He's all right. Jack" the deputy hic-
cOughed thickly. les liquor, an then
we'll eat. I'm payin' the bill-so
whut's il ter yer?"
"Nulhin' tall; eny frien' O. yers gifts
Their hest have
He set out squat bottle on the bar,
and thinking ii best to humor the both
of them | poured out stiff drink.
fully aware that Ra4e was observing
my features closely.
'Seen yer afore slimwhar. amt II"
81 reckon" replied indifferently,
watching Tim fill his glass. Il worked
my way up ON the boat; saw yer on
board"
Sure; that's it; faint in my line
fer ter forgit face. Yer amt en-
listed yit?"
No; reckon I'll wait till maunn'.
an clean up a bit furst. How bout
sum soap an wafer fore eat ?-an'
Yer cudnt loan me razor, cud ye?''
Wal got plenty o water. an may
be cud scare up sum soap. Tim we're
he's got a razor, an if he's frien o.
ycrs, | reckon he mought lend it ter
YER"
The deputy guped down his drink.
and sinacked his lips. clinging with
Dne hand to the bar. regarding me low
ngly.
Sure; he's friend o. mine. Shave
lin myself soon's git sober. Whut's
het? Yer can't wait? Oh. all righ'
hen. take it yerself Mighty fin razor,
" man.
Rale found me tin basin. water a
,it of rag for towel. and small,
racked mirror. in which my reflection
vas scarcely recognizable. He was
nan of few words, coniehting himself
.irb uttering merely dry comment ON
who had dropped back into
convenient chair AMI buried his face
n the table.
"Tim's good fellow. an never saw
i'm so blame drunk afore," he said re-
retfully. "He an Kirby he'd a row.
u | reckon thet's whit started him
rinkin'"
"A row; quarrel you mean?" for
citing myself in surprise. who's
,irby?''
''Joe Kirby; yer sure must know him
yer river man. Slim sOrter Teller,
18th a smooth face; slickest gambler
yer WIS, / reckon"
"Why. of course" getting control Of
yself once more. I'VE picked him
D. long with Tim, down river. He'd
30 women with 'en, didn't they?
ln-away niggers?"
Rale winked facetiOusly, evidently
lther proud of the exploit as it had
zen related to him. !
"Wal, Their way / understan'. they
ant both of 'em niggers; however.
at was the story told on board This
re Joe Kirby is pretty slick, let me
II YOU. One of ems white CURL,
no just pretended she WIS a Niger.
reckon tibet even Kirby didn't catch
ter her game at furst an when he
Il he WIS too blame smart ter ever
{ her know. She don't think he
lows yet. hut she's liable fer ter find
II mighty soon"
."Isut he cannot hold white wom-
l." I protested stoutly.
Cant. hey, WAL | reckon there M
e ways o even doin' thet. an IL thar fo
/. kirby'lI find it. reckon she wont bt
ID no chance ter raise boiler fore
3 got her tied good an strong" or
"Do you mean." ! asked Mortified
hat he will compel her to marry III
m?'' &C.
"Sum smart little guesser. amt yer? hr
.eckm she's in a right smart way ter =