Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-02-21
Copyright by Ths Bobbs. Merrill Co.


they-act."
That the preacher was acting, the
woodsmnn fully believed. but the act.
Ing was just shade overdone--a cir
cumstance that could hardly escape
such man as Jack Warhope, particu-
larry after the chance clues that had
first set his suspicious going. Why he
was acting and what part, the woods
man was not missing any chances to
find out.
The three riders sat for some time
looking toward the cabin In the peck
ct, Texie and the preacher discussing
the astonishing drama that had fiared
up for It's tense moment In the elbow
OF the hills.
Hut the drama evidently had but
one act, and that act was closed. II
seemed 10 the woodsman. as he covert
ly watched the preacher, lolllng with
overdone awkwardness In his saddle.
that he showed Just shade Of relief
that II was closed.
The sun. red warrior on the home
ward trail. had journeyed far down
the pallng businesses Of the sky; had
ducked behind a huge cloud bank
piled like breastworks across the
west. Presently. finding a loop-hole
In the turreted cumuli. he glared back
at the pursuing shadows: launched a
shaft that fell spent and quivering
upon Eagle run and shlvered into
glittering splinters upon the rifle.
Glum at the mlssped shaft the red
warrior took his eye from the loop
hole; drew farther back behind the
massed Notifications. unstrung his
bow. The pursuing shadows stole
down the bluffs; dulled the water;
dimmed tho woods: walked the breeze
and shook the Wild apple twigs TIL
the white blossoms showed the grass
symbol OF the hopes Of men. that
bloom. promise fruit, die.
The girl noticed the shadows, Her
eyes left the cabin: glanced up and
down the opposite blum. where, under
the brow Of the wooded escarpment,
objects were already beginning to dim,
The girls rowing glance stopped at
black walnut tree ten or fifteen
yards away. where some frost.blasted
walnuts OF the season before still
chung to bllghted limb, She swept
a finger toward them. dropped her
hand TO the revolver at her belt and
looked around at the woodsman. He
caught the challenge In her eye,
grlnned and nodded,
With cuickness and skill that
showed her mastery OF the weapon,
she plucked the revolver from It's hol.
ster, raised Il aud fred The first bul.
let cut twig close TO a walnut. the
second brought one down.
Every horse there had been trained
TO stand under gun.hre. Rex merely
pointed his ears sharply forward aud
stood TO his tracks. but, even with
such firm saddle under him, the
preacher tiinched so at the first shot
that he almost lost his balance, The
second brought an effuslve exelama.
ton from him.
The slow eyes of the woodsman
livened.
"Goodr he cried. "Ther' Amt an
other girl In the rlatwoods can do
that"
With little wisp OF smile In her
eyes she glanced around ut him. and
turned to the preacher,
snow, Mr., Hopkins, you can try
y'ur new six.gun."
The preacher almost set up breeze
In the little valley with the gestlcula-
lions Of his expressive hands; made a
heavy draft on his ample stock OF ef.
fusive explanations. and finally FUN.
bled the iyory.handled slx.gun out OF
Its holster.
He committed the blunder Of cock.
ing II with both thumbs-a bit OF over
acting that did not escape the man
backing Graylock In apparent stolid-
ness
After a deal OF coaching from Texie.
the preacher poked the revolver for
ward and pulled the trigger There
was nothing TO Indicate thar the bull.
let even came near the target. He
threw his head back and exploded his
mucous laugh. Rex had stood arm
under the shot: he SHE'D az the laugh.
The preacher brought the horse
back alongside OF Brownie and fired
again-the bullet smaeked somewhere
against the opposite blum. but appar.
entity did not even fan a walnut. He
studied the revolver moment. fixed
his spectacles tighter on his nose, and
settled seriously to the task held the
weapon In both hands. and aimed n
long time--result the same.
Then the girl threw up her revolver
and fred again. The bullet cut mich
In the rotted outer huh OF q walnut.
and she turned 20 the woodsman.
NOW. Jack, it's your turn"
"Aw. couldn't hit one OF EN-.
"Come on" she coaxed. Il alnr seen
Iy'u shoot none sinee-let's see-'way
b'fore corn plantin'."
He looked At her curiously, and
lshlfted IN bis saddle, The preacher