The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-03-26

Then she put out hand that was
beginning to shake-like an aged hand
with palsy.
"Smith?' she gasped, "that's-Brand
Fairl Oh-oh-dear Lord-Brand
Fairi''
For the first time In her life the
bright sun faded out and Nance AL
lison. who had fought so long and hard
against tremendous odds, who had held
her battle line and borne all things
with the courage of strong man
swayed back upon the floor.
Bud sprang forward to lift her up.
but already the weakness was passing
and she put him aside, getting to her
feet.
She forgot the child at her knee.
His enemies" she was muttering
to herself, "and mine-they got him
at last-just as they tried to get me
and Jehoshaphat rose and went
against his enemies-and the Lord was
with him-I-I-Bud, give me that
gum"
She took the rifle out of his hands
with savage motion and went from
the cabin. swaying like drunkard.
At the corner of the stable she came
face to face with Fair, who was just
coming up from the river on Diamond.
She stopped and stared at him like
one In daze.
Your she said presently. you
Brandt"
The man saw at once that there was
something gravely wrong and dis
mounted quickly.
He came forward and laid hand
on hers where it grasped the weapon.
"Sure-my DEAR" he said carefully,
don't look so, Nance-Pm all right.
Let me have this" and took the gun
away.
He put his right arm gently around
her and looked over her head at her
brother.
Tell me-" his eyes commanded.
Il just told her what / heard this
morning. said Bud, that a man was
shot by rustlers and that it was Smith
you. She said something about one
Of the Bible men who went out and
slew his enemies-and she was starting
for Sky Line, l think"
There was no need to ask more, for
Nance had covered her face with her
shaking hands and bending forward on
Fairs breast was weeping terribly.
The man drew her close and held
her, and the dark eyes that gazed down
at her shining head with it's neat
braids, were grave and very tender.
At last he said quietly, 'It was our
friend, Sheriff Selwood, but he is not
dead. He's at his ranch, but he cannot
falkland no one knows who shot him.
Sky Line drove down this morning-all
regular and humdrum. McKane SAYS
Selwood knows-that he tried to tell
him who the rustlers of Nameless are,
but that he could not. When he comes
round there'll be something doing in
this neck of the woods, or 1 miss my
guess. Come, Nance-aren't you going
to invite me to dinner? I've got four
prime gray squirrels in my saddle
bags, and my canteen's full of honey
found bee tree down the river"
And with the gentle tact of deep
understanding and something more,
Fair drew Nance back from the edge
of tragedy to the safe ground of the
commonplace.
She Strengthened up, wiped her
hands down across her cheeks and
looked at him with eyes in which the
tears still glistened.
"I thought" she said unsteadily.
..that Kate Cathrew had had you shot"
shell have to get up earlier than
do if she pulls that trick" he laughed,
.Pve been too long on guard"
Two days later Nameless was ring
ing with the news of the raid and Bos-
sick was grim and silent.
When the Sky Line riders came back
from their drive they ratified into Cor
dova for the mail and stood on the
porch.
"Still watchin' your range" queried
Provine insolently as he swung out Of
his saddle and without a word the
rancher leaped for him. He caught
him by the neck and they both fell un-
der Silvertip's feet The horse sprang
away and in second the two men
were trying to kill each other with all
the strength there was In them.
"You id dirty thief!" gritted Bos-
sick, ''if the law won't get you I'll take
a handl"
He was a heavy man. stocky and
square, with tremendous thews, but the
other was the wiry type and younger,
so that they were not so unevenly
matched, and it bade fair to be lively
ARRAY.
But Big Basford, temper flaming as
usual, pulled his gun from the holster
and flung it down in line.
"Roll over, Sud!' he shouted, "I1l
fix him!s