The Lamar register., 1920-01-21


What have you got to do with
him. They brought him here as their
prisoner. Do you think well let you
come over into this county and die
tate everything we do?"
1--WE got a notion tucked away that
you're trying to do the debating your
own self" the Bar Double NJ man con.
tradicted.
I'm not. But l won't stand by
while you get these boys TO do mur-
der"
Kite laughed sarcastically. "You
hear your boss. boys"
you've had yore say now. Miss
Kate. reckon you better say good
night" advised Buck.
She handed Buck and his friends her
compliments In a swift flow of femi-
nine ferocity.
Maloney pushed into the circle.
-She's dead right. boys. There's moth
ing to this lynching game. He's only
Q kid"
The tide OF opinion was shifting.
Those who had been worked up TO the
lynching by the arguments of Bonfils
began to resent bis activity. Flandrau
was their prisoner. wasn't hei No
use going of half-cocked. Some OF
them were discovering that they were
not half 10 anxious to hang him as
they had supposed.
The girl turned to her friends and
neighbors Il oughtn't to have talked
to you that way. but you know how
worried ! am about dad" she apollo
rised with q catch In her breath. I'm
sure you didn't think or you would
never have done anything to trouble
me more Just now. You know didn't
half mean It." She looked from one
to another, her eyes shiny with tears.
II know that no braver or kinder men
live than you. Why. you're my folks.
I've been brought up among you. And
70 you've got to forgive me-"
Some said Sure" others told her to
forget II, and one grass widower drew
a laugh by saying that her little spiel
reminded him OF happier days.
I'm so glad you've changed your
minds. / knew you would when you
thought It over" she told them chat
tiIy and confidentially.
She was taking their assent for
granted. Now she waited and gave
them q chance to chorus their agree
ment. None Of them spoke except Ma
louey. Most Of them were with her In
sympathy but none wanted to be hrst
in giving way.
She looked around from one to an
other. still cheerful and sure OF her
ground apparently. Two steps brought
her directly In front OF one. She
caught him by the lapels Of his coat
and looked straight into his eyes. "You
have changed your mind. haven't you.
Jaker
The big MIssour;an twisted his hat
in embarrassment.
"Sure. whatever's right suits me-"
swell. you know what is right. don't
your"
81 expect"
Then you. won't hurt this man. our
prisonerr
81 haven't q thing against him II you
haven't"
Then you won't hurt himf You
won't stand by and let the other boys
do ftr'
Now. Miss Kate"
She burst into sudden tears. II
thought you were my friend. but now
I'm In trouble you-you think only OF
making II worse"
Jake gave in Immediately and the
rest followed like flock Of sheep.
Two or three of the promises came
hard. but she d;d not stop III each
one individually had pledged himself.
The young man she had saved could
not keep his eyes from her. He would
have liked to kneel down and kiss The
edge of her dress and put his curly
head In the dust before her. The ice
In his heart had melted In the warmth
of,a great emotion. She was standing
close to him talking to Buck when he
snals - . lnv voice