The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-09-14
GIFT OF THE DESERT

by Cd! Who are your he
snarled savagely. "What the HI do
you want?'
"The first Is of no Importance, Mea-
GER" returned KelFeen with emphasis.
But I'll answer the latter question.
Unbuckle your belt. Go on; | know
what you're doing. Yes take, it of.
I've got you boys covered; make one
false move, and you'll sure taste lead.
Now throw that belt about the Mexl-
can-sure know who you both are;
came here cunning for you two
guys-around his arms-now, d--n you,
draw it tight .Yes-that's exactly
what / mean-strap them to his
body"
Just what happened is not clear.
Kelleen could not see; he dare not
take step closer to make sure. The
chances are that Sanchez had two guns
at his waist. He had discarded one,
but the other yet remained. Not GER
tain that he was not outlined against
the background of light, he dare not
attempt to draw; but now, his hands
lowered, as Meager drew the belt
about his arms, desperate, bitter with
hate, his fingers must have gripped the
butt. With one convulsive effort he
fired in the direction of the voice. The
bullet struck the side wall, sent
splinter of rock tearing into Kelleen's
cheek, yet, even as he staggered back
half blinded in the flame, he had
glimpse of the maddened Mexican,
running blindly down the passage. An,
instant the fellow stood out clear, his
head thrust forward, his arms still
held by the belt clasp; then Kelleen,
pulled trigger, and the runner sprawled
out, fiat and motionless, into the very
center Of that little pool Of daylight.
| 1t was the swift work of an instant,
then darkness, and Meager's huge bulk
crushed Kelleen against the wall in
lone mad effort to kill. For moment
the smaller man, taken completely by
surprise, struggled helplessly to escape
the stranglehold of those clutching fin
gers. The revolver dropped from his
| hand, and he was forced resistlessly
| backward, strangled, unable to tear
loose that viselike grip. AS the two
fell. however. Meager's head struck
the rock, the sharp blow so dazing
him as to permit Kelleen an instant
of relief, long, fresh breath, the re-
| lease of one arm. Underneath him,
pressing against his hip, lay the gun
he had been forced to drop. With des-
perate effort he gained possession Of
the weapon, thrusting, the muzzle saw
| agely into Meager's side.
"D-n you'll" he choked. "Feel that
Get up, or I'll blow a hole clear
through you. You dirty brute. to kill
| you would be a pleasure. Get clear
up Do you know me now?"
The fellow, thoroughly cowed, shrink
ing back with the point of the revolver
still pressing hard against his rib,
suffered, but made no reply. The
widening radius of daylight gave KEEL
leen the outlines of his bulky figure.
but features were invisible.
! what! not yet? I'm the Frisco
Kidr First you thought you'd double
cross me; then you decided murder
would do the job best. Well. Meager,
neither plan worked. I'm on to your
game, and Pm very much alive. Now
I've got you. Like to make guess
why l don't kill your
"You-you want me to squeal first"
| Meager hesitated, and Kelleen's gun
pushed harder.
"You better spit it out, Bob; I'd
| sure love to shoot"
"Well, d-n you. what's the differ
ence? Clarity told me the fellow was
hiding In here somewhere. Manuel