Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-01-20

1 'lAiha Aau ~ ue put out Ol
the way"
"You-mean Macklin?"
Yes; only as | say. that IS prob
ably not the fellows name-he is Cor
neliuS Churchnrs SON."
"Where-where did you learn all
this?"
"Macklin told the story. when he
was drunk, to another rascal. crept
up to campfire one night and heard
the latter relate the tale"
where was this?"
"On Dragon creek"
''Yes-but when?"
might before last; while was
seeking TO trail you"
She had never released her grasp of
his hand; now 1t frightened.
might before last; you-you never
knew it before?"
Certainly not"
you didn't marry me be-because
l had all this money!"
Shelby laughed lightly.
Lord, no; l never suspected you
had five cents"
"And-and," she went on earnestly,
'you-yOu followed after me, hurt as
you was never knowing about all this
-just-because it was me?"
That's sure right; leastwise until
struck this outfit over on Dragon
creek, and l can't say that l cared a
d-n about the money at all only it
gave me a notion of what was up. I'd
come just the same; you can bet your
life on that"
"Oh. am glad you said so! And
you-yOu actually don't care for the
money!"
Care for it! Little girl, I amt
given it a thought. I'm here for
your
Me? You care for me?"
"Well, l reckon l must. Long as
you're my wife, I'm your husband,
amt II"
YES" she said, rather YEARLY, 81
understand"
Her glance was toward the open
door into the other room, and she
seemed anxious to change the topic.
"What-what happened out there
last night? Do you know? There was
fighting, and shot fred l am sure l
heard cry, as though some one was
hurt, and then after that everything
was silent"
There was a fight" he answered,
"and it cost the lives of two men
one white, the other Indian. l found
thelb gripped in each others arms
there on the floor, both dead !"
Both dead Two of them out
there. How horrible! Who are they?"
Zone must have been your guard"
eyes, the Indian but the other?"
"a ruffian named Slagin; he was
)ne of the fellows l overheard talk
ng about your case. He must have
Known that Macklin left you here
lone last night and came to see you
or some purpose. He must have en-
ountered the Indian unexpectedly,
md the two went into the death Crap
)le."
"And-both were killed? {
"YeS; the red was shot, and the I
White choked to death. 1t was a game 6
ght all right. couldn't pry the fell
Dws apart" {
"And they are there now?" f
"NOt in sight-no; / rolled the
odies back under a bench out of "
light, and threw an old blanket over Y
hem. Now see here Olga" he went d
n earnestly, "we've got to get out of
ere before anyone comes. l know Il
Al |
lat leads up from this Hole; but the d
rst thing to do is to get safely away Il
efore Macklin gets back. You will
} with me?"
"Of course; but do you dare make W
e attempt by daylight"
81 don't dare anything else. Every al
mute we waste here adds to our w
anger. You have nothing to take
it'll your"
She shook her head; then suddenly u
e lifted her eyes again, and looked
m directly in the face. 'V
tom Shelby" she asked impetuous- w
"is what you said actually true
at you are just doing this because ex
u have got to, being my husband?" af
He stared at her, surprised, and
infused by so direct a question. w,
sure; that's what l ought to do, sa
1T it? But maybe you don't exactly es
be what I mean. II reckon I've
{ to thinkin' lot about you lately; Sh
ice that galoot took you away | wi
IAN; and-and WELL I'm id glad
u are my wife," he broke forth des- thi
rately. "That's honest how I feel cit
out It," all
The clear eyes watching him smiled, thu
d she stretched out her hand II
you are sure then 1t Is not just to
ty. You really want me to go with aw
~"
Il amt much good telling these h
ngs but that's what | want.
kon there amt no world big enough
keep me from huntin' you up-God!
you hear that?'
I was the harsh voice of man IL
oin0 tho yoica of loo MapkIin