The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-25

UAlIIS StcpS anu lcdHSu HID ~ADo"S NPoH ~ at the side of Ed.
 'Whisky," he said hoarstly to Olaf Bjorn- sen. "Whisky, lad"
 Olaf, turning for the bottle, winked broadly at the others; and tide of anger swelled in the breast of Ed Raleigh. They were mocking the old man. He watched, sternly, with bright eye. If this mockery went too far, there were ways of putting period to it. He frightened his formidable right hand tentativeiy and loosed the grip again. The knowing grin, in the meantime, travelled up and down the bar.
 Martin raised his brimming glass. His hand was shaking the moment before, but now it was perfectly steady-rocklike, as the hand of crack shot when he draws his bead
 "Gents," he said in a deep voice with a little quiver of pathos at the bottom of it, Hook at what got in my hand"
 "We see it, Jim," said the bartender sar- castically. "You was always able to keep more in glass than any one in tow"
 "That's my reputation answeher Martin proudly. "Well, boys, this is the last drop of liquor that I drink in Sierra Padre!
 
 He downed the glass, and then turned watery eye of sorrow on the others.
 Are you swearin' off" queried Ed Raleigh sympathetically.
 The old man looked at him, and then started.
 "You give me a touch, partner he said, still keeping keen glance on Ed Raleigh. "But, no, he won't look like you by this time. No, lad, I ain't swearin off; but I'm leavin' Sierra Padre'
 "Never comin' back?" asked Ed, kindly .'Where you goin'?"
 "To make the honor of Jim Martin clean-the honor of Jim Martini
 The slight quaver grew more pronounced. From the corner of his eye Ed watched the open grins of the others, and he set his teeth.
 ''Some one been doin' you dirt, partner?" he asked, and his glance threatened the rest and wiped away their mirth
 ''It has been did," sighed Martin. He strengthened. He struck the bar with his bony fist, and the glasses danced and jim gled. "It has been dio!'
 But where you goin'?' persisted Ed. "Ain't they nobody to help you?"
 Nobody" said Martin solemnly. "This here thing lies between me and my Maker. Maybe under the stars I'll meet him and shoot him like dog; and God will under stand"
 He looked about him, signing.
 "Joe," he said to the man with the state ly beard, "it aint easy to do it. It ain't +o oil hoxy ho preached the other and clasped his hand q know what's goin' to happen to me. know that after I've killed him they'll get me. Yessir, I'll give myself up. After fin ishin' him, they ain't nothin' left for me in life. But I'll die happy"
 Joe attempted to draw away, but Mar tin took it for gesture of persuasion.
 Don't try to talk me out of it, Jce. My minds sot on it like a rock. I'm goin' out to get me gun, and then Pm goin' down and get the train. got only half an hour to make that train. And got to get me some decent clothes. | ain't goin' to face him lookin' like bum. Joe, got the money, I got the time; he's as good as dead. But it hurts me, Joe, to leave you boys. It sure do. And to tn, end I'll De thinkin' of you-thinkin'-"
 He choked and covered his face with a shaking hand. Ed Raleigh felt stinging tears in his eyes.
 Before go,' said the old man faintly, q got to break my vow and have one more drink-with you, Joe."
 The bartender, as if he read Martins mind, was already opposite them with $ bottle and two glasses.
 Here's to quick trip, Jin," said the