Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-02-20


terday. 1t Jared before his closed lids.
1t was such night as this; he had
Just returned from the drive. us they
were doing now. But then 1t had been
the Upper NaShwaa!i--not Cross Creek
AND they had stopped to celebrate
their freedom at Stanley. OF course.
he had sworn to let the bottle alone.
and III those days his word was as
good MS his bond. Bot what If he had
been fool. and his in;ractahlc cucmy
had got tho better Of him?
Hadn't lnan II right to kick over
the traces once in while without DO.
Ing called to account? Still, lie
shouldn't have gone to Madgc in that
conG;tion--he knew that. But he had
only meant to catch glimpse of her
through the window. until he saw that
she had company. Even then he might
have restrained his jealous rage II Nc
Knight hadn't looked ut her the way
he did. and She hadn't played and sung
those very songs she always sang for
him.
Every one knew that Mcknight was
after her. too, though he had never let
that fact worry him before. 1t had
ended with his entering and creating
scene that no se,f-reSpecting girl
could overlook. He could see the ex-
preston Of pain and pity in her eyes
now, hear Hugh's quiet words Of rea-
:on, see himself tumble for his clasp
knife. and have 1t jerked from his
shaking fingers. Then, as he was leav-
Ing. he Ind SWORN to "gct even"
That, at least. was an oath he had
never forgotten. AS he sank lower
and lower 1t had become more and
more OF an observation-disclosures the one
ambition of his bestial existence. What
was he waiting for? Curse the music!
1t was vengeance, not regret he wished
to dwell on.
The song came to an end. and he
Slowly rose to his feet. Bud and Lefty
would be covering in the shadows,
cursins his delay. Before he had taken
three steps. however. q singers sweet
voice held him again. or all the dear
songs that Madge had sung to him,
1.-The Banks OF Loeb Lomond" was the
dearest. the one most pregnant with
his passion; and with q stIfled oath no
leaned against the wall and surren-
dered himself to its spell.
You take the high road and TIL take the
low road
She seemed to be there In person
pleading with his warped soul rs she
had pleaded in the past, reminding
him Of MI those shattered promises
and the love he had forfeited.
The monograph whirrcd and
stopped. a draft caused the lamps
to flare and smoke. and
Sup with yer paws. you louis" came
harsh. nasal voice.
Angus North awoke with an mar
ticulatc shout, and sprang toward the
door. where two muffled figures were
standing with levcled pistols The log
gers had jumped to their feet. and
few were obeying the order. But the
|, boss was not of this number. For all
his big frame, he had brain and body
trimmed for sudden action, and scarce
~ had the words left Buds mouth be.
fore lie was charging recklessIy down
the camp.
Luckily for him the stranger was
nearer the door, and as Lefty's finger
contracted on the trigger he threw
himself between them. AZ the report
North pitched on his face, and Nc
knight, clearing his body without
pause, was upon the robbers before
they could fire again. Lefty went
down before the knotted fist as II he
had been struck by peavey, and
though Bud made an effort to dodge,
lie was caught by an arm and crumpled
violently TO the floor. A dozen rough
hands made further resistance inpos-
Sible.
Then the boss dropped beside the
man who interposcd and gently raised
his head. The bullet had bored through
his right shoulder, but without touch
ing the bone.
"Pm done for. Hugh" announced
the tramp without emotion.
The boss started. "By JOyc it's An
gus North :" lie cried. and he stared In
amazement at the wreck Of his one
time friend. 80
"Sure thing. Come back ter STAY
"An' Jest in the nick o. time, too.
He'd have winged NE, guess, II yer
hadn't got in the way"
The woOdsman is not delnonstratlye,
and the tone rather than the words
evidenced the gratitude he felt for the
act. NOrth's weak features suddenly
hardened.
Don't fool yourself. 1t was for her
sake I done 1t. I had meant them ter
Kill yer. but--but that pesky phone
graph got me all ballcd up an buttcd
in fore knew what I was erbout.
Give me drink, some one"
The cook ran for mug Of water,
and Mcknight held him higher AS he