Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-07-01
Too Much
Mounted Police
(Copyright.)
By EDWARD PERRY

landmark he had been expecting. Then
he turned in his saddle and looked
upon the Canadian end of the continent
with the expression every homesick
Englishman throws backward, when
his thoughts and footsteps have turned
to the island whence comes his name
and fame.
A moment only, and the horse Hoped
southwark into Montana. Delay is
never advisable when deserving the
Canadian service.
1t was only step to England now,
a bit of way down the country to
New Orleans, and then just over the
water. Two years of chasing his
legs off after beggarly Indians and
white men not worth the killing. And
she waiting, while the folks were
growing old, and 1t was time girl
should be settled In a home Of her
own.
He was going back where he left
her, with her blue eyes among the
roses, the channel-wind running
through her hair. What difference did
1t make to anybody but him and the
girl?
When he pulled up again he I'M
rolled his blanket and shortly remount-
ed, merely an Englishman In miners
outfit.
Presently the Englishman entered
the mountain-hotel barroom. lie found
I the place filed with miners. heavily
quiet under the restraint Of some COM
mon purpose. The Englishman en-
countered the conclusion Of its clinch-
ing argument:
Law and order Is the proper COM
blnation where 1t works right. It's
weak, slow medicine for murder and
horse-stealing together. Well take q
drink now"
The Bnglishman participated in the
public drink, but not the public con-
fidence
Thinking Of hanging somebody
he inquired, in the general uplift Of
glassware.
mot thinking on 1t; we're drink
ing on It," bar neighbor responded.
The Englishman accepted this state
ment Of the situation without further
question or comment. 1t was not his
affair, anyhow, so he'd Just stroll round
bit and get away.
On the heels Of that conclusion he
turned the hotel corner and directly
confronted the strictly local issue"
1t was projected through barred
window, from q face as young and as
tanned as his own.
$50, you're the chap they're going
to hangT he confided by way Of greet
ing.
The face hardened into q display of
desperate interest, which forced ex-
preston In one word:
"WhenT
They evolve curious but comprehen-
sive forms Of conveying information
in the Rockies.
1T won't be long till dark" the Eng
lishman answered.
you might go easier II you told me
about It," the Englishman suggested.
1T makes you feel lot better. Hap
pen you've owned upf"
"Owned Hades I'm going clean
and game. / never killed him. Some
body round here must know I amt
lying, but likely he'll be too busy with
the rope tonight to mention It,"
The Engllshman asked particulars.
Its a hard-luck layout you can't
beat" the window narrative ran bit
terly. II came out here to get a gold
mine. There's little girl back In
Indiana nothing else's going to do
justice to. promised to get her one.
Just a little girl with blue eyes, fool
Ing around among the roses, waiting
for me and that gold mine, but most
ly me.
"Luck's against us every turn.
miss the gold mine all along. The
general idea is that I'm broke and
hopeless, which Is so near the truth
II amt worth while to contradict 1t.
IAN old-timer round here had
bunch Of ponies, and I made deal
for one, seeing I'd have to locate that
gold mine somewhere else. l didn't
tell anybody about my plans and the
last seen Of me was when 1 went over
to the old mans claim in the evening
to get my pony and pull out, quiet and
cool, In the moonlight.
Next day I'm camped and asleep.
when I'm walked, with the muzzle Of
rife and the information that I'm a
murderer and horse-thlef. Know
ing I left the old man safe and salts
fed, I'm willing enough to go back.
I'm sorry now l was. There's better
ways to die than being lynched In the
dark.
1.-THE old man had been found dead
that morning. was last seen near
his claim, and had his pony. But,
by Heaven, didn't kill him"
The Englishman went back to his
horse.
Presently he shook out his discard
ed uniform, carefully removing the
stain Of stones he had cast upon It,
He found and filled out blank form
from his memory Of the face at the
window. Then he lit his pipe again.
The peaks had looped their shadows
across the valley, when mounted po-
lice, in full uniform and official bear
ing, emerged from the stable a fugi-
tive Engllshman had entered.
The face was now missing from the
window, and the door stood open. Tho
mounted police scarcely paused In TAX
ing the trail that served the camp for
a street to the river.