Licking Valley courier., 1921-05-19

the coward In him would cause him to
seek flight before lie could be cOrnered
In this place. It was far more likely
that he believed himself opposed mere
ly by Shelby and the girl, armed with
revolver or two, and having lin
tied supply of ammunition. He saw
little peril In the adventure and fig
ured that quick, sharp rush, his war.
riors leaping from covert to covert,
would win an easy victory. He would
keep up steady rifle fire from be-
hind the rocks, forcing the defenders
to keep under cover, and then sudden
ly send charging party to end the
affair.
Shelby smiled grimly at the mental
picture. never turning his head as he
spoke to the silent girl beside him.
"How's MacklinT
Dead, think, Tom. He didn't
seem to breathe even family"
"The poor devil; 1t will be might!
hard on Pancha though. You got your
gun"
Eyes"
"AlI loaded, reckon; If not you
better fill It up, There is goin' to be
HI TO pay presently. When / say
so, you let drive. Keep down out O
sight till then, but when you begin to
pump, make her act like a gatllng."
"But can't those rlfiemen see you
there?"
"Well, 1t doesn't look much like the,
can, the way they are pepperin' thai
rock. Nice little tune the bucks are
/ playln'. That's what makes me thnk
something's up; they aim to keep IL
down out O. sight, so we won't glimpse
what's comm. Tain't Indian nature
to waste lead that way. Lauds back
there somewhere playln' this game. !
think | got sight Of the sneakin' cuss
minute ago. but he was out Of
range"
"You believe they intend to try ant
! get up here?"
That's my present notion; they
don't look for much trouble either
1t Is up to us to give that outfit tn,
surprise Of their lives
She reached out her hand and found
his, as 1t rested on the belt of cart.
ridges,
"Tom"
"Yes," he answered without remov.
Ing his gaze from the trail below.
Don't worry about me-" she said
earnestly. "You know what | mean
don't think about me when they do
come. I'll take care of myself, all
right"
He cast quick glance into he
face.
"Sure, know you will. You are
trump. good pardner. thought
that for n long while. You wont
forget What | told you"
an not forget"
There was moment Of silence and
then she spoke again, u sharp little
catch In her voice which she could
not restrain.
"TOmm
"Yes."
IL don't know what is going Il
happen. IL am not afraid, hut
but II seems to me IL would like
to have you kiss me once more trs
you only have once, you know"
Shelby turned his body about, leav
ing his cooked revolver lying on tn,
stone, and caught both her hands
eagerly.
Lord, I'm glad to hear you sn!
that little girl" he exclaimed. hi
eyes aglOw. ~ reckon I've been sorte
half afraid O. You. But amt g0ln
to be any more; you sure mean II
don't your"
Her eyes looked honestly, earnest
ly into his, answering him befor
her lips spoke.
"With all my heart, Tom"
He drew her softly toward him, for
getful Of all else. Then rifle spa
ylciOusy, and II hall struck the edg
of the pnrNpet, sending q splinter o
stone flying past them.
II was long, nerve-rOcklng walt
during which they rested side by side
intent on every movement below, hu
finding little opportunity for action
Occasionally they spoke, hut genemll
remained silently watchful The In
dams kept up desullory fire, and he
hind its screen were evidently maxim
y change Of position. yet so stenl,hll
as 10 he hardly observed. They eN
,osrd themselves freely enough heyon
,,M r.r'o urrW I'm they were IN