Evening star., 1923-07-15
The Hand of the Potter

hunting q deer-and yet ] do not see
any rifle
HAMERICK groaned as he climbed
L i out. II haven't any rife. My re-
volver is under the cushion. II It's
money you're after, you'll get most
mighty little"
"All in good time" said MaeGregor
cheerfully He went through Hamerick
for arms finding none. he went through
the buggy. finding the gun under the
cushion. He inspected this carefully.
tried II, and stuck it in his waistband.
You see / have no money, you have
my gun-what more do you want of
me-" spluttered Eamerick. Let me go!
have an appointment-I'l be late now"
with that deer, ye are mesning?"
MacGregor sat cross-Iegged on the
ground and whitfield off a pipefuI of
| tobacco with loving care.
Hamerick pulled himself togsther
with an effort. II see now that you
are not robber. as first thought.
You can't be doing yourself any possible
! good by keeping me here i tell you
l am waited for"
II Will tell You somewhat. Mr. Ham
erick" At this unexpected sound of
his own name Hamerick started Wis
IDLY. IF Clay Mundy Is at all of my
mind, this is what We shall do: We
Will set you on Clay Mundy's horse
and put Clay Mundy's hat upon your
head; and we two will get in your bit
wagon and drive you before our guns
just at dusk, dye mind ITO the Bent
ranch; and there. If ! do not miss my
guess, you will be shot to death by
hands of your own hiring"
So far from being appalled,. Hamsr-
| ick was black with rage; he stamped.
he shook his fst, he struggled for
speech in a choking fury.
You fool! You poor spy! idiot!
Why couldn't you tell me you were
Mundy's MANI"
Steady. there! Arc you meaning to
face II out that you did not plan TO
murder Clay Mundy? Because we are
going on now TO see him"
Hamerick gathered up the reins
eagerly. Come on, then. before it's
too latel Me kill Clay Mundy? Why,
you poor. pitifui bungier. Clay Mundy
| brought me here to play preacher for
him."
MacGregor drew back. His face
jerked out Hamerick's gun and threw
! 1t at Hamerick's feet. Protect your
SELF he said.
But Hamerick shrank back. cringtng.
II won't, I won't touch it.'
Curt
"oh, don't kill me. don't murder
met" HameFick was wringing his
hands.
hor al
away. He took up Hamericks gun.
| strip the harness from that horse,
| then; take the bride and ridei Go
| back the way you came, and keep on
| going. For ! shall tell your name and
errand, and there Is no man of Nor
gan's men but will kill you at kirk or
gaiIows-foot."
He watched in silence as Hamerick
fled Then he rode down to the mouth
of the pass; at the plains edge he saw
a horseman. nearby, coming swiftly.
1t was Clay Mundy.
y \ y
NdacGREGoR thrust Hsmeriek's gun
-'L between his left knee and the STIR
rup leather and gripped 1t there. He
rode on-and the nameless flowers of
San Quentin were stirrup-high about
him as he rode.
He drew rein so Mundy should come
to his right side; and as at their first
meeting. he laid both his hands on the
saddle horn as he halted.
Clay Mundy's face was dark with
suspicion.
Have you seen a fool in a buggy"
he demanded.
IT see a fool on a horse" responded
MacGrsgor calmly. For the person
you seek, I have put such a word In
his ear that he will never stop this
side of tidewatsr. What DEVILS work
Is this. Clay Mundy7"
You cursed meddler! Are you
coward as we'll as meddler, that you
dare not move your handsT'
PUT up your foolish gun, man. The
thing is done and shooting will never
undo IT, There will be no mook-mar-
riags this way. nor ony day-and
now shoot. IL you will
Think ys I value my life owre
high, or that fear ye at all, that 1
come seeking you? Take shame to
yourself, mani Say you will marry
the lassis before my eyes. and I will
70 with her back TO tho house OF the
Morgans-and for her sake, I will
keep your shame to myself. Or. II 1t
likes you better. you may even fall
to the shooting"
"Fool!" said Mundy. It can kill
you before you can touch your gun"
"It is what I doubt" said Mac
Gregor. please yourself. For me
there IL but the clean stab Of death
but you must leave behind the name
of a false traitor to be q kissing and
a byword in the mouths Of men,"
"I wilt say this much, that I was
wrong 10 call you coward" said
Mundy, in a changed voice. But 7
will not be driven further. will go
on alone. and tell her, and send her
home"
"You will say your man fed before
| the MorgAns, or was taken by them,
or some such lies, and lure her on to
her ruin" said MaeGregor. II will
not turn back"
"I will give you the minute to turn
back" said Mundy.
1T Is what I will never do!"
Then you will die here" said
Mundy.
Think of me as one dead an hour
gone" said MacGregor steadily. "
am beyond the question. Think rather
| Of yourself. You have the plain choice
| before you-a bonny wife to cherish,
life and love. peace and just dealing
and quiet days-or at the other hand
but dusty death and black shame to
back Of thati"
As a snake strikes, Mundy's hand
shot out: he jerked MacGregor's gun
| from the scapbard and threw 1t be-