Evening star., 1925-11-22

up Allen street in the early evening
the ragged little man was standing
somewhere among the group who had
gathered to witness its arrival. From
the time when the coach swung into
sight until Lee had carried the iron
box into the express office those rat
eyes never left him. Now and again
the young messenger dropped into
Bob Hatch's saloon TO chat for n few
moments with the sheriff or Bill Saw
age or some other of those grim men
who were openly arrayed against the
outlaw element. On these occasions
no one ever noticed Whisky Bill how
erins close by, yet he was invariably
sweeping the floor or arranging the
cuspIdorS within easy earshot Of the
group.
So he fed his hungry pride And
so when the news of the approaching
wedding became common property he
was among the first who learned IL.
Now, while he wrestIed with the
heavy beer kegs or answered the shrilI
summons of the rouged women or
searched the pockets of "A sleeping
drunkard. Whisky Bill walked in the
mire, but his soul skinned the
heights. He was exalted with the
knowledge that his son was to marry
the daughter Of the biggest cattleman
list of guests was to include the dis
tr1ct judge and all the men of stand,
| Ing in the camp: that the Wells Fargo
Company was TO present Lee with p
watch inscribed with a statement Of
| their regard for him.
There was hut one prospect to
tarnish the brightness of his antici
pations. The bride and groom were
going to take their departure immedi
| ately after the marriage for the ranch
down on the San Pedro Henceforth
he would seldom see his son in Tomb
| stone.
Perhaps II 1t had not been for the
knowledge that this deprivation was
about to overtake him Whisky Bill
would not have been a spectator at the
presentation of the gold watch. This
little ceremony took place in the Wells
Fargo office on the evening before the
wedding. On behalf of the compa ny.
the agent made speech to a few in
Vlted notahles. among whom were the
sheriff and the district Judge None
NJ those present-not even Lem Good
rich himself-listened 10 his words
with the intentness of the unbidden
guest who had managed to stink in
through the door at the last minute
ana stood in the rear of the group for
al the world like a cringing dog, ready
tile look
The idea of taking a chance was
foreign to the nature of Whisky Bill
And he was taking more chances than
one this evening. The imminent haZ-
ara OF being cast forth upon the side
walk, with the more than possible ac-
compartment of a kick to speed his
departure. was not the greatest risk
which he was running. This was the
hour when he was due in his role of
Swamper at Bob Hatch's place Vari-
Gus eavesdroppings had made him
dilatory at his tasks on several occa-
sions, and only Yesterday the night
bartender had given him warming
There were half dozen other dere-
nets IN camp anxious to take that Job
Moreover. he had fallen out of favor
at the dance hall and the Birdcage be-
cause of growing suspicious of the
| management, who intended to rob
their drunken customers in their own
way without the competition of hang
ers-on. And the town authorities had
been getting vigilant of late. His job
in the saloon was all that stood be
tween him and his being run out Of
Tombstone as vagrant.
But the danger of calamity was not
troubling Whisky Bill now He
hearkened to the agents words of
praise; he heard him read the inscrip-
tion within the watch's golden case.
For bravery in the pursuit of his
duty and saving the company's prop
erty at the risk of his own life" IL
said.
They might Of gone a little stronger
than that" was Whisky Bits mental
comment. His rat eyes were very
bright as he looked upon the watch.
The light grew in them when Lee ex-
pressed his than in what the next
issue of the Tombstone Epitaph char
icterized as a neat speech.
Fine A boy as ever wore shoe
leather" Whisky Bill assured himself.
While the general handshaking was
going on he edged quietly toward the
door. But before he took his depar-
| ture he overheard bit of unexpected
news.
Jack Flood was to he on hand to
| take your run" the agent was saving.
but his hoss fell on him this after
| noon and he's laid up. We just got
word. There ain't another man we
can lay hold of in time. and there's a
big box goes out tomorrow morning"
As he sidled out through the front
door old Whisky Bill glanced over his
shoulder for a last look at his SON.
The boys eyes were troubled. but his
head was high.
Il reckon" he said quietly, 'if
that's the case. I'll have to do it,
The shadow was still in Lees eyes
an hour later as he sat with Beth
Goodrich on the veranda beside the
little plot of grass. He watched her In
silence while she held the gold watch
| In the light from the window to read
the inscription within its case.
1T wasn't any more than you de-
served" she told him quietly, NOR
| half as much"
There you go now trying to make
| me set up over myself" He smiled
| down into her face. but there was
something in his look which betrayed
his thoughts.
| ing you" She placed her hands on
| his. I've seen it ever since you
came"
| It's just because I hate to disap-
point YOU he said when he had given
| her the news. II knew you'd set your
| heart on my taking my last trip to-
| day"
I'D hoped you were through" Her
voice was trembling a little.
1T can't he helped, sweetheart" !"
| His arm went around her and she
took some comfort in the strength of
| it. Il couldn't go back on the COM
pany."
NO. You couldn't do that.
wouldn't have You"
| X \ X
nOWN in Bob Hatchs place old
| Whisky Bill stood before the bar.
his shoulders bent under the weight
Of his calamity. Behind the counter
| the night bartender was delivering his
ultimatum:
And don't yuh show your nose in.
| side this door again." he ended.