The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-11-04

his bullets had scored a hit. His
enemies were not taking chances. Their
intention evidently was to force him
from the cover o. the rocks and pick
him off as he lodged for the chaparral.
The plan was one very likely to sue
coed, Mccain judged.
By mid-afternOon it came on to rain
mistily. He had reached the edge of
the boulder field and within few
minutes must have been dislodged
from his last stand in it. The rain
gave him respite
He slipped deeper In to the rock
field, moving warily so as not to be
caught unprepared What the out
laws would do under the circum-
stances was uncertain, but he guessed
they would follow him to the open ex-
pecting him to make run for his life
across the valley.
Not fifty feet from him, on the other
side of ledge of rock, revolver
doomed. He crouched, every sense
keyed up. nerves taut.
A moan came to him, followed by
cruel laugh.
you've got yores, Jas Stark" he
heard a remembered voice say.
Thought you'd fix it for yoreself by
givin' US away, didn't you? I'll learn
you to try to play traitor with Carl
Gitner."
rock ledge and stocked over. The big
Texan was standin. straddled over the
man he had just shot down and was
sneering at him.
you always was a white-livered
coyote, JAS. an you got what was COM
in to you. When they find yore body,
if they ever do, they'll think Wills Nc
Cam bumped you off. I'm fgurin' on
gettin' him too muy pronto."
From his place on the shelf above
Wilson spoke in a low hard voice.
''Then get busy, you murderer, an
come a-shootin'."
Gitner looked up, snarling. The
eyes of the two met in deadly combat
for a fraction of a second before the
revolvers began to roar.
OF the number of shots fired Wilson
lost count. In the smoke he saw the
face of the Texan. distorted with rage
and pain. sinking down to the ground
He kept on throwing bullets at the
man till his revolver was empty. for
the outlaw had not stopped firing.
Wilson reached for the rifle he had
laid beside him. But there was no
need to use it. Gitner had fallen
across the bod, Of the man he had
shot. He lay, limp and lax, arms out
stretched, no sign Of life in him. eau
tiously Mccain descended. never lift
ing his eyes from the prone body after
one swift glance round to make sure
none Of the other rustlers were in
sight.
Gitner was dead. Not flicker of
life remained in him, not muscle still
twitched. Wilson dragged the body
from where 1t lay on that Of Jasper
Stark.
The eyes OF the wounded man
fastened on those of Mccain.
"He shot me from behind while
wasn't expectin' it," he explained
feebly. "Im dyin' fast"
Wilson lifted his head and offered
him drink from the canteen, but Jas
per rejected the water with a weak
gesture of the hand.
mo use. I'm done for" he said.
Listen. I've been bad lot. Seems
like l never got square deal. Any
how, l went bad. But tell julie I'm no
rustler. Gitner brought me here an
l couldn't get away somehow. The
cards was stacked so l had to take
hand"
It'll tell her."
"Tell her Gitner shot Dad an
you that day. Nobody knew IL,
but the old man fired Carl that morn
in Claimed he'd been bad
influence over me. l was with Carl
when he shot Dad, but was scared to
tell an Dad hadn't treated me
white"
A shout at the edge Of the boulder
field brought Wilson to attention. He
answered the call, for he recognized
the voice of Stone Presently the
Texan stood beside them looking down
at the dying man.
"You shoot him?" he asked.
mo. Gitner did it. from behind"
Jasper confirmed this.
The sound Of light footsteps brought
Wilson round. gun in hand. Cautious
ly he circled a big boulder, and stood
face to face with Julia.
THANK God" she cried at sight of
him, and her voice broke in wall, of
gladness II was afraid. l thought
maybe"
Her hands went out to him In
the strain, and somehow they were in
each others arms.
For moment Julia rested, trying
to control her sobs. After the long
strain she felt touch of hysteria.
She had been afraid, desperately
afraid, that she would find him stark
and lifeless; and behold he was warm
and strong. ready to love and to be
loved.
Her grip frightened round him con-
vulsively. 81 saw them, as / came
across the vaIley-three of 'em-rid-
ing hard for the canyon. ! thought
they had-I thought"
He understood the shudder that
went through her slender body. A
swift leap of Joy throbbed his pulses.
This dear girl cared for. him. Down
through all the ages her sweet brave
soul had come to meet and mate with
his. This was his first instructive re-