Red ¿launders
. . By . ..
HENRY WALLACE PHILLIPS
COPYRIGHT.
*902.
BY
M c CLURE.
PHILLIPS
t-
COMPANY
< Continued.)
iadles. It’s all settled—come
W hereat they laughed nervously and
S obliged- And the gate hinges took off their hats.
of whack. Mb»« 8aU“*’e™
It was a jolly dinner party. The
<n kno« 1 ome over and
young fellows Red had picket! up in
’em in the near by and by,
£? Mtv us well fix It up all at the blacksmith’s shop were not the or
dinary quality of loungers. They were
Come on. boys!
boys of good country parentage, with
thus that th.- greatest enter- a common school education, who un
Fairfield had seen in many fortunately could find nothing to do
undertaken. Miss Mattie
but the occasional odd job. Of course
..imply astounded as the army lt would not take long to transform
down upon the bouse.
^terer in the would Is Cousin them into common ne’er do wells, but
now they were merely thoughtless
dolag''” said she. but resting boys.
4 in the faith that it was neces-
The whole affair bad an al fresco
i »H right she was content to
flavor which stoppered convention.
for dinner and an explanation.
' tile postmistress. The agonies The two women visitors pitched In aud
had as good a time as anybody.
unrequited curiosity the worthy
In the middle of the festivities a
wn suffered that morning until
young man walked past the front
t |Mt summoned up her resolu-
fence—a stranger evidently, for his
Ud asked the smith plump out
clothes wore the cut of a city, and a
out wbat lt all meant would have
cosmopolitan, up to date city at that
1» experienced to be appreciated.
He stopped and looked at the house,
I the smith kept her hanging for
hesitated a moment and then walked
:e too. saying to himself In justl-
in, back to where the folk were eating.
do that It wasn’t right the way
"Excuse me.” said he ns they looked
old gal had to get into every-
up at him, "but isn’t this Mr. Demllt’»
, business. The smith was like house ?”
of the rest of us—be could see
A momentary silence followed, as it
ib a beam If It was in bis o vn
was not clear whose turn ft was to
answer. Miss Mattie glanced around
CHAPTER VI.
and. finding Iled’s eye on her. replied:
HERE was a great din «? "No, sir. Mr. Demllt’s house ls about
whacking and hammering that a mile fnrther up the road.”
morning
Red worked like a
“Dear me!” said the young man rue
horse uow that he had com- fully. lie was a spick and span. In
A sudden thought struck him, telligent looking man. with loss of the
be went Into the house,
dandy about him than the air of a
lattle,” said he.
man who had never worn anything
but clothes of the proper trim and
fell, Will?"
Bee a use for the rest of that nice become quite used to ft. Nevertheless
roast of lieef 1 smell In the oven the sweat stood out In drops on his
b have all these fellers stay to forehead, for Fairfield’s front "street”
ier and give ’em one good feed. savored of
less moral region than It
it do you say?”
really was on a broiling summer day.
Why. I’d like to. Will, but 1 don’t
The youug man sighed’ frankly aud
jw-where’l! I set them?”
wiped ills head.
"Well. that’s too
Couple of boards outside for n ta- hnd,” he said. "I’m a stranger bare—
-let them sit on boxes or something,
would you kindly tell me where ?
t plates and things enough?”
Sly, yes! Plenty of such things. could get some dinner?”
L- “What’s the matter with that?” In
Then if it ain’t too much trouble fof quired Red. pointing to the roast,
which still preserved an air of fallen
t ve’l! let lt go."
Xo trouble at all, Will—It will lie a greatness. lie had liked the look of
ular picnic.”
1 the other Instantly.
The stranger looked first at Red nnd
Boys, you’ll eat with me this day,”
then at the roast. "The only thing I
I Red.
bry spread the board table beneath can see the matter with that,” he an
old apple tree and cleaned up for swered, “Is that It Is a slice too thick."
“Keno!” cried Rod. “You get lt.
r-past In the kitchen storm shed
II an apologetic "Sorry to trouble «ftlattie. another plate and we:ip< s to
L Miss Saunders.” or such a mut- fit. Sit down, sir, nnd rest your fe
vered feet. If you don’t like walking
as each went lu.
Bst as Mi: Mattle was withdraw- any better than I do, you’ve probably
the meat from the oven there came strewn fragments of one of the com
mandments all the way from where
lock at the door.
oodnes^. gracious!” she exclaimed, the stage dropped you to tli Ls apple
io can that be now? Will, vwill tree.”
“It seems to me that I did make
roe who that ls? I can’t go.”
some
remarks that I never learned at
ire!" said Red and went to the
There stood two women of that my mother’s knee,” returned the other.
"And I'm
I’m exceedingly
Unite period between forty nnd laughing.
very decently dressed and with obliged for the invitation, as there
' agitation visible In the way they doesn't B«*em to be a hotel here, and
ly adjusted various parts of their 1 am but a degree south of starva
tion.”
“Red or black?" asked the host, with
ey started at the sudden spectacle
the huge man who said pleasantly, a quick glance at bls guest.
The other caught the allusion. ”1
"v der do, ladles ?”
haven
’t followed the deal." he replied,
hy. how do you do?” replied the
Instantly and In a voice she had “but I’ll chance lt on the red.”
Somehow he felt Instantly at home
’ heard liefore. "I hope you’re
and at ease; lt was a quality that Red
sir.” a remark which filled het
Saunders dispersed wherever he went.
surprise.
“There you are, sir,” said Red, for
tanks, 1’tn able to assume the per-
warding a plate full of juicy meat.
Icular, as you can see,” resi»onded
“The' ladies will supply the decora
wlth a handsome smile of wel-
tions.”
‘ “How do you find yourself?”
“Do you like rice as a vegetable,
“ pretty well,” said the flustered
sir?” Inquired Miss Mnttie.
’’IIow do you do?”
“No, he dcesn’t,” interrupted Red.
urned If we ain’t right back where
“He likes it as an animal. Never saw
virted from,” mourned Red to
any one who looked less like a veg
If it's one of the customs of
etable than our friend.” The youug
p’’uutry saying ‘bow der do’ an
man’s laugh rang out nbove the oth
'•ta stretch. I pass it up.” Aloud
•‘>1 “Coming along flue. How’s ers.
Toor Miss Mattle was confused. "It’s
' father?” •cuss me if I don’t
too bad of you. Will, to put such a
the cut a little anyhow,” he add-
meaning on my words.” she said.
■tttally.
“The strange part of it is." spoke
bes \ery well indeed!” ex- the young man. seeing an opportunity
H the la<V. «1th fervor. "How”—
for a joke and to deal courteously with
** no further on the query, for
. Ar wo*uan interrupted in a tone
**■ Mary Ann Demilt, how
■uta., ;ite that? Your father’s
7*4 tlUs O'* year last August!”
l *”Tor of **»« moment was bro-
tí
J the api»earance of Miss Mattie,
«■»«Pliably on seeing the visit-
lor-J' lar5 an<l Pauline, how do
chapter ^
___
VI
e,
f ne' ‘‘au,1o*. looked up
» *gar‘>!-v- "We’re well enough.
_ •
« as weary of the form.
J's'-! I ’’ said Miss Mattie.
Just in time for dinner.”
’hid* * Kr"“t prot*st at ’bls.
J*“1 * moment to spare;”
going down to the
had
t0 saj. .. ctc
, J? U help tne’” ""ia M*"
" tM‘re b"’ invited the
"•.•king for him to stay
fhrt... ' lt "lja 1 ■* any more
an for you t0
me
f—
,**■
«id Red, "|f you don’t
* > ¡nan
“«u who'«
wn
deserving
X’**' '»«• take «ff
—J your fixings
'»oner. No,” be con .
to their r
I
"UIVJ be ob-
protesta, which
» »t . <r,wlr,
■-» < weaker,
-™«r. "It's no
’ *
Tbw*^ I'*nty for er-
>hau •
°n*’ con* *n- thto
Miu Hattie Sann.
peculiar fact ls that my name ls Let- Barty roee’from the table. I.ater the move.”
Us.”
Then Miss Mattle broached the ques
wagon came up.
’ Lettuce?’ cried Red. "Mattie, 1
"Well, goixl day, Lettls.” said Red. tion she had Is'en hovering around
apologize—he is a vegetable.”
“If you can’t get quarters auywhere ever since her guests had taken tbclr
At which they all laughed again.
else, come on and help me hold the lea x e.
“Do you think you’ll really go into
“And uow,” said Red, “I’m lied barn down.”
Saunders, late of the t'lianta Seechee
“Do you sleep in the bam? Then business with that young man who
rat: a, territory of Dakota—state of I’ll come back sure. T«JI1 yo.i liow lt was here to dinner." she asked.
“Why, I think it's kinder likely,”
North Dakota, I mean, t’au’t get used ls, Mr. Saunders. I’ve been stuck up
to the state business. There’s a Bill and in a three by nine office for four years •aid Red.
“But you don’t know anything about
a I >lck on this side of me and two Johns —nose held to ’A to M. western branch.’
and a Sammy on the other. Foot of and If I’m not sick of lt there's no him. Will.” she continued, putting the
the table ls Miss Mattle Saunders, uext such thing as sickness. To get out
to her just as they run—Miss Pauline and breathe the fresh air, to see the
Doolittle and Miss Mary Aim Demilt, country, to ba my own master—well,
who may tie kin to the geutleman sir, it just makes me tremble to think
you’re seeking.”
of lt! I hope you find the strawboard
“Ml. Thomas F. Demllt?’ asked the what you want to take up.”
stranger.
“I shouldn’t wonder if lt would be."
"He’s my sister," responded Miss answered Red. “We ll make a corking
Mary Ann. Whereat the youths buried team to do business. Lettls. I can see
their faces In the plates, as Mr. Thom that—so cautious aud full of tricks aud
as F.. tn spite of many excellent qual all that."
The young man laughed and then
ities. bore a pathetic resemblance to
the title.
sobered down. “Of course I know the
"I mean." continued the lady hur whole thing would look Insane to most
riedly, “that I’m his brother.”
people," he said sturdily, “but I’ve
"By Jlmlny, ma’am," exclaimed Red, been In business long enough to si's
sharp gentlemen come to grief in spite
“but yours Is a strange family!”
"What Miss Demllt wishes to say,” of their funny work. I don't believe
cut in Miss Doolittle, with some as a man’ll come to any more harm by
perity. “is that Mr. Thomas Faulken- believing people mean well by him
stone Demllt Is her brother." She did than he would by working on the other
not add, as extreme candor would have tack.”
“Good boy!” said Red. slapping him
urged, “And I have some hope—re
mote. alas, but there—of becoming sis on the back. “Y’ou stick to that and
you’ll get a satisfaction out of lt that
ter to Miss I>eml!t myself."
Another
"Thank you!” said I^ettls. "Shall I money couldn’t buy you.
thing, you’d never get a cent out of
be able to see him this afternoon?”
"Oh, mercy, ves!” said Miss Mary me In this world If you were one of
these smooth young men. My eye teeth
Ann. “Tcta ls home all day.”
“I can thank the kind fates for are cut, son, for all I may seem easy.
that,” said Lettls. "I had begun to The man that does me a trick has a
think he was a myth.” and he fell In chance for laid luck, and you can bet
upon the tender meat with a vigorous en that.”
appetite of youth and a good diges- j “Lord, I believe you!” replied I-ettls,
taking In the dimensions of his new
tlon.
Nathaniel Lettls was by no means a friend. "Well, goodby for the present,
At »ecen-thlrtv the fence wtu done.
fool, and he had experience In buai- | Mr. Saunders. Thank you for the din
ness. but the mainspring of the young ner and qtlll more for the heart you weak side of her desire forward In or
fellow was frankness, and in the have put Into me.”
der to rest more securely If that stood
course of the dinner he told his errand, i At ti o’clock the fence was not quite the test.
Mr. Demllt had written to his firm ex finished.
“No, I don’t,” agreed Red.
“But
plaining the advantages of starting a
“If you’ll stay with me until the here’s the way I feel about that: I
strawboard factory In Fairfield. It thing's done, I’ll stand another dollar want to be doing something according
was too small n thing for the firm to all around," said Red. "1 don't want lt to my size; besides that. It would be
be Interested In, but lettls had a small to stare me In the face tomorrow."
a good thing for this place If some
capital which he wished to Invest in
The eldest spoke up. “We'll stay kind of a llxe doings was to start here.
an enterprise of his own handling, and with you. Mr. Saunders, but wo don’t All right, that's my side of it. Now,
lt had struck him that there might be want any money for lt, do we. fel as far as not knowing that young fel-
a chance for independence; therefore lers?”
I ler’s concerned. I might think I knew
he had come to find out the lay of the
“No." they replied In chorus, well him from cyclone cellar to roof tree,
and he might do me to a crowded
land.
«Meaning what they said.
Red Saunders' first glance liking of
“Why, you’re jierfectly welcome to house. My Idea Is that life's a good
the stranger deepened as he told of the cash!” said Red.
deal like faro—you know how that Is”
hts business. The cowman did not
“I rememlier about bls not letting
“And you’re welcome to the work,"
blame people who took obvious way« retorted the boy. “We’re paid plenty the people go. but l’ui afraid I <1 m’t
and dealt In ambiguities, for bls ex »s lt ls.”
know my Bible us well as I ought to.
¡»erience in tbe world, which was pret-
“If that’s the way you look at It, Will,” apologized Miss Mattle, ratiier
tv fairly complete, had told him that fni much obliged to you." said Red, astonished at his allusion.
craft was a necessity for weak na who would not have discouraged such
“Let the people go? Bible?' cried
tures; nevertheless he cared not for a feeling for anything. He said to Red, laying down Ills knife and fork,
tnose who used it.
himself, “This don't seem much like •»till more astonished at her allusion.
In his part of the west n man would the kind of people I've beard inhabited "Will you kindly tell me wbat tlj»
no more think of giving n false im these parts. Those boys are all right. has to do with faro bank? Girl, oil«
pression of his financial standing to Reckon if you use people decent they’ll of us is full of ghost songs, and far,
alter his position i:i one’s regard than play up to your lead, no mutter what far off tbe reservation. What in the
he would wear corsets. Money was of country It is.”
name of Brigham Young’s off-ox are
small consequence; its sequelae of less,
At ":!>• the fence wns done, gorgeous you talking about?”
Men spoke openly of how much they In a coat of fresh red paint, nnd
"Why. you spoke of Pharaoh, Will,
made, how they liked the job, how the hands depnrted, each with a slice and I can remember about his holding
their claims were paying. Such mat- of Miss Mattie’s chocolate cake, a t..e children of Israel captive, nnd the
ters were neutral ground of chance thing to make the heathen gods feel plagues, lmt I really don't see Just
conversation as th '_v i itlier Is In the contemptuous
,
Li'v it applies.”
of ambrosia.
east. The rapid
1 unpredictable
“Oh!” raid Red. us a great light
They went straight to the black
changes of fortune gave a tendency to smith
,
’s shop, where they were anxious broke upon him. “Oh, I see what
make light of one’s present condition. ly expected.
you're thinking about. The old boy
A man would say "I’m busted” with
“Good Lord!” he said a little later, who corralled the Jews nnd made 'em
out any more feeling than be would “if you fellers will talk one nt a time, work for the first ami last time In
say “I have a cold." Now, in Fair- p'r
j ’aps I can make out what’s liap- their history, and they tilled him full
field, thnt is not likely lonesome In.*] pened. Now, Sammy, s'p’ose you do of fleas nnd darkness and all kinds of
that resi>ect. one of the principal ob the speaking?"
unpleasant exjierlences to break even?
jects in life was to conceal the pov
Whereupon Sammy faithfully chron Well, I was not talking nlsmt him at
erty which wonld persist In sticking icled the events of the day. The boys all. My faro Is a game played with
Its gaunt elbows through the cloth of had behaved themselves as if there a layout nnd a pack of cards and a
words spread over it.
Red asked was nothing out of the common hap little tin box thnt you ought to l<s>k at
straightforward questions — shrewd pening while they were with Red, lie- carefully before you put any money
ones, too—seeing that the other was ing held up by a sense of pride, but on the board, to see that lt ain’t ar
one of his own kind and would not re naturally the splendid physique of the ranged for dealing seconds; and
sent It.
cowman, his picturesque attire, his there's a lookout and a case keeper
1
Lettls wanted nothing better than a abandoned way of scattering money and—well, I don't believe 1 could tell
ehnnee to expand on the subject. It around and the air of a frolic he had you just how lt works, but some day
was close to his heart. He had been managed to Impart to a day's hard I’ll make a layout and we'll have some
a subordinate about as long as a proud work—all had effect on imagination, fun. It's a bully game, but I Bay, it's
and masterful young fellow ought to and the boys were very much ex a great deal like life—the splits go to
be. Now he was quivering to try his cited.
the dealer; that Is to say. that If the
“I'd like to know how many Injuns king comes out to win nnd lose at the
own strength, and. seeing, for hfs part,
that his host wns Inspired with a gen thnt feller’s killed!” piped up the same time, you lose anyhow, see?”
uiuc interest and not curiosity, lie youngest. "Hy! He could grab hold
“No,” said Miss Mattle truthfully.
gave him all the Information in his of a man and wring bis neck like a
Red thrust his fingers through bls
hair and sighed. “I’m afraid I know
power.
chicken."
“But a plant like that ls going to
“Aw, tat!” remonstrated the black- too much about it to explain It clear
cost some money, ain’t it?" asked R<sl. smith. But the elders stood by the ly,” he replied. "But what I mean Is
“Too much for me. I’m nfrald," re ycuuker this time.
this: Some people try to pli.y system
plies! Lettls. “I have $5.000 to put in,
“Yes, he could, Mr. Farrel!" said at faro, and they last about ns quick
and I suppose I could Ixrrrow the rest, they, “You ought to seen him when as those that don't. I always put the
but that's saddling the business with he rolled up his sleeves! He's got an limit on the card that’s handiest, and
too heavy charges right In the liegin arm on him like the hind leg of a tbe game don’t owe me a cent. As a
ning. Still, it may not be as bad as I horse, and he uses an ax like a tack matter of fact, some of the tin horns
hammer. He got mad once when be used to wear a pnlned expression when
fancy."
Red drummed on tbe table, thinking. pounded his thumb and busted the they saw me coming across the room.
“I wouldn't mind getting into a busi post square In two with one yrack.”
I've split ’em from stem to keelson
ness of some kind as long as lt waa
“Well, be looks like a husky man," more than once and never used a cop
making things,” he said.
“I don’t admitted the blacksmith. "But why per In my life. Played ’em wide open
hanker to keep store much. Suppose didn't you boys take the extry dollar ■ II tbe time
Now," and be brought
1 go along with you when you look up when he made the offer? He 'pears to his fist down on the table, “I'm going
bow much straw is raised and tbe rest know what he wan about, and It looks to play that young man wide open,
kind of foolish to say ’no’ to lt”
of itr
and I'll bet you I don't lose by him
"Would you?” cried the young fel
There was a moment’s silence. “We neither. He looks as honest us a mas
low eagerly. “By George, sir, I wish wanted to show him we were just as tiff pup for all be dress« ■ kind of nice.
you could see your way clear to take good as the folks be knew," explained I might just as well try hlin on the
hold of It! Could you stand $10.000, the eldest somewhat shamefacedly.
fly as to go lunk beading around and
for Instance? Excuse tbe question, but
The blacksmith straightened himself. get stuck anyhow, with tbe unsatis
I’m so anxious over thia’’—
“Quite right, too,” said he. “We air factory addition of feeling that I was
"Lord, what’s tbe harm of asking when you come to that.” A little a fool as well as confiding.”
facts?" said Bed. Then, with a gleam pride is a wonderful tonic, En<b man
Most of the argument hail been an
of genial pride. “Ten thousand wouldn't of that gathering felt himself the bet cient Aryan to Miss Mattie, but the
break me by a durn sight. ’
ter for the display of lt.
ring of tbe voice ami the little she un
Lettls’ boyish face fairly glowed. “It
In the meantime Red was repairing derstood made the tenor plain. A sud
was my g<**d angel made me stop In the ravages of the day opposite Miss den moisture gathered in her eyes as
front of your fence," be said. “I saw Mnttie at a supper table which was she said: "You’re to > gxsl and honest
you all eating In here, nnd you looked bountifully spread. Miss Mattie put • nd generous a man to distrust any
so jolly that I thought I'd stop on the two and two together and found they body. That'» wbat I think. Will.”
chance you might be tbe man I was meant a larger sum of eatallies than
"Mattle, I wish yon wouldn't talk
looking for Now I’ll go right on aud she had hitherto felt sufficient, and, like that." a«M he In an injure«l voice.
see Mr I>emilt nnd find out wbat he with a little pang at tbe thought of “It ain’t hardly respectable.”
the inadequacy of her first offering to
wants to do In tbe matter."
After which there was a silence for
“Waft for tbe wagon and you can her cousin, provided such fatness as a short time. Then said Miss Mattle,
ride," said Red “Boy’s gone home to the land of Fairfield basted.
“Do you think you could content your
see his dad about working for me this
They discussed the events of tbs self here. Will, after all tbe things
afternoon. In the meantime. If you re day with satisfaction.
you've neeu?’
•
not too proud to take bold nnd help
"My!" said Miss Mattle. "You do
Red brightened at tbe change of
us with this dod ratted fence. I’ll be things wholesale while you are about topic. “I'll tell you how that to. If I
It, Will, don’t you?”
obliged to you."
hadn't any capital and had to work
Red smiled In pleased acknowledg here as a poor man, 1 dem’t believe I’d
“Bring ou your fence! I’m ready,'
merit
“I’m no peanut stand, old take the trouble to try and five. I d
said Lettls.
■■Id I m
“I like tn see tMaas rvutber. But. haxtag that pl«-es«ul
“fame on. bogs!" »">d Bed, and the
little crop of long greens securely
planted hi the bank where the wild
time doesn’t grow and thusly being
able to cavort around aa lt swe»-tly
pleases me, why, I like tbe country.
It’s sport to take hold of a place like
this that's only held together by its
susis-nders and try to make a null live
man's town out of it.”
Miss Mattie drew a deep breath of
relief. "You came like the hero in it
fairy story. Will, and I wns afraid
you’d go away like one,” she said.
lie reached across the table aud pat
ted her hand
“You’d have had to
gone, too," said he. "The family 'll
stick together.”
She thanked him In a soft little
voice. "Dear me," she murmured, “it J
floes seem that you'ie been here a
year. Will!”
“Never was tc Id that I was such
slow company be.ore."
“Y’ou know perfectly well that that
Isn't what I mean."
"Well, you'll have to put up with
me for awhile whatever I am. Inso
much us I'm to l«e u manufacturer und
tbe Lord knows what. Then some
day I’m going to hnve an awful hank
ering for the lam! where the bn*eza
blows, and then we'll take a shute for
open prairie. It's cruelty to animals
for mo to straddle a horse now, yet
there's where I’m at home, and I’m
going to buy me a cayuse of some
kind. Say, I ought to get at that If
I’m going around with I-ettls I want
to ride a horse. Know anybody that's
got a real live horse for sale. Mattle?
No? Well, I'll stop tn and see the
lady that deals the mall. I'll bet you
wlffit that woman doesn’t know about
what's going on in this camp will nev
er get into history. Be back right
away?'
Said he to the postmistress: “My
name's Saunders, ma'am—cousin to
Bliss Mattle. I just stopped in to find
out If you knew any one that had a
riding horse for sale—horse with four
good legs that’ll carry me all day,
Hnd about the rest I don’t care a frolic
some cuss.”
The postmistress replied at such
length and with such velocity that
Red was amazed. He gathered from
tier remarks that a certain Mr. I'pton
hnd nil animal, purchased of n chance
horst* dealer, which lt wns altogether
likely he would dispose of. as the first
time he had tried the brute It went
np Into the air all sorts of ways and
raused the owner to perform such
tricks liefore high heaven as made the
angels weep.
“Where does this man live?' asked
Red, with a kindling eye.
“He lives almut three miles out on
the PetervH'.a road, but he's In towu
tonight visitin’ Miss Alders. Johnny!"
to a small boy who had been following
the conversation, his wide open eyes
bent on Red and his mouth and wig
gling bare toes expressing their delight
lu vigorous contortions, "Johnny, you
run tell Mr. I’pton there's a gentleman
in here wants to see him about buying
a horse.”
“Don't disturb him if lie’s visiting.”
remonstrated Red.
"Ho won’t call that disturbing him.”
replied the postmistress, with a abriil
laugh. "He’ll be here In no time.”
Sin1 was a true prophet. It seemed
as If the boy hnd barely left the store
when he returned with a stoop shonl-
"i Just stopped tn to/ind >>ut II pou knew
any one lAut luid a ridni'j Korte/ur
•ito."
dered, solemn faced man, wbo had
a brush heap of chin whisker decorat
ing the lower part of his face. After |
greetings and tbe explanation of tbe :
errand, Mr. t'pton stroked Ills chin
whisker regretfully.
“Young man,”
said he, “I'm in a pecoollar and on- :
pleasant position.
There's mighty
feyew things I wouldn't <io in a hawse
trade, but I draw the line on murder. «
That there hawse'll kill you, just's
•ure as you’re foci enough to put yer-
self on bis back. I'll sell you a real
hawse mighty reasonable”—
"I’ll risk him.” cut In Red. “Could i
you lead him dow n here in the morn- ’
Ing?’
“Yes, Indeedy—he's a |>eefect lady
of a horse to lend you can pick up
airy foot—climb all over him. in fac'— j
■’king's you dou't try to ride him or
bitch him up. If you do that well,
young man, you'll get a pretty fair
Idee of what Is meant by one of the
demons of bell.”
“What kind of saddle have you !
got?’
“One of them outlandish western af
fairs that the scamp threw in with the
animal yosi see, I thought I'd take
up horseback riding for my health;
I was In tied three weeks after my
fust try.”
“I'll go yoo |75 for the outfit. jq»C
as you got It—chaps, taps and latlgo
•traps. If you'll have lt In frout of my
bouse at V o’clock tomorrow."
“All right, young man. all right, sir.
Now don't blame me if you air tooic
home slim'« fuel."
“Nary.” said lied. “Come and see
the fun."
"I shorely will," ri'pHed the old gen
tleman.
CHATTER VII
T 0 the next morning there was
a crowd In front of the house.
"What have you ls-en doing
uow. Will?" asked Miss Mat-
tie, with prescience.
“Only buying a horse, Mattle.” re
turned Red soberly. “Seems to be
quite an event here.”
“Is that all?'
“That's all. so help me Bob!" Red
had a suspicion that there would be
objections If she knew what kind of a
horse it wns.
I-ettls, wbo had rtxrmed with lie«!
overnight, was in the secret.
The horse arrived, leading very
quietly, as Mr. I’pton hnd said. It
was a buckskin, fat an«l hearty from
long resting. Nothing could be more
docile than the pensive lower lip and
the meek curve of the neck. Nothing
could l>e more contradictory than the
light of Its eye, a broodlug, baleful
fire, quietly biding its time.
"Scatter, friends!" cried Red as he
put hts foot In the stirrup. “Don’t be
too proud to take to timber!”
He swung over as lightly as a tra
peze jierformer, deftly catching hla
other stirrup. Tbe horse groaned and
shivered.
“Don’t let him get his head down!
Go! ding lt! Don't you!” screamed Mr.
Upton In wild excitement.
Red threw the bridle over the horn
of the saddle. "Go lt, jou devil!"
cried he. And they went. Six feet
straight In tbe air, first pass. The
crowd scattered, as requested. They
hurried at that Red gave tbe brute
the benefit of bls 2T>0 as they touched
earth, and Ills opponent grunted when
he felt the Jar of it. They rocketed
and ricochet ted; they were here, they
were there, they were everywhere, tliu
buckskin squealing like a pig nnd fight
ing with every ounce of the strength
that lay In h's steel strung legs. Tim
dust rose in clouds; Red’s hat tlew In
uo time; h«‘ was yelling like a maul:'«',
and the crowd was yelling like mo:«»
maniacs. Now nnd then a glimpse <>r
the rider’s face could be caught, trans
ported with Joy of the struggle: the »
the dust would r»ll up and bide evtr- -
thing. No one wus more pleased “t
the »(»evtncle than the blacksmith. Hn
wns capering In the middle of the
road, waving a hand hammer and
shouting: “Hold him down! Hold him
down! Why do you let him Jump up
ilk*» that? if 1 was on thnt horse I'd
show you!
Aw, there it Is again.
Stop him! Stop him!”
At this point the buckskin made
three enormous leaps for the black
smith, as though he had understood.
Tbe smith cast dignity to the winds
an«! went over the nearest fence In the
style that little boys when coasting
call “stomach whopper." or words to
that efi'ect, and took Ids next breath
two minutes later. II«’ might hate
saved the labor, as tbe horse wlii-eled
on one foot and pulled fairly for the
{ticket fence oppo.dle. Red regretted
the absence of herders as the sharp
pickets loomed near. It was no timo
for regrets. The horse was over with
but little damage—u slight scratch;
enough to rouse l;ls temper, however,
for he whaled away with Itoth hind
feet, and parts of the fence landed a
hundred feet off. Then a «lash through
an ancient grape arbor, nnd they were»
lost to view of the road. Some reck
less small Itoys scampered after, but
the majority preferred to trace the
progress of the'conflict by tbe aborig
inal "Yerhoops” that came from some-'
where In behind the old houses.
“There they go!” piped up a shrill
voice of the small boy brlga<le. "Right
through Mis’ Daviaaee hen coops! You
ought to oee them hens fly!” The tri
umphant glee I»» beyond the reach of
words. Simultaneous squawking veri
fied the remark as well ns a feminine
voice urging a violent protest, cut
short by a scream of terror, ami the
slum of a floor. The Inhabitants of
"Mis’ Duvlsses" house Instantly u|>-
peansl through the front door, seeking
tbe street.
To show the erratlcnlness of fnte, no
soouer hn<l they reached the road than
Red's mount cleared the paru|>et of the
bridge In a single leap, a t>eautlful
leap, anti came down upon them In
the road.
All got out of the way but a three-
yenr-old, forgotten In the excitement.
Upon this small lud, fallen flat In tbe
rond, bore tbe powerful man and
horse. Then there were frantic cries
of wnmlng. Fifty feet between the
youngster and those mungllng hoofs—
twenty—five! The crowd gasped. They
were blotted together!
Not so.
A
mighty band hnd snatched the t>oy
away In thnt Instant of time, lie was
safe ami very Indlgnuut In n bowling,
huddled heap in the ditch by the road
side, but alas for horse and rider!
Th«» buckskin was not us«*«i to such
feats, and when Red's weight w:’.«
thrown to the side for the reach he
rfilssed Ills stride, struck his D-et to
gether, and down they went, while the
foot deep dust spraug Into the air like
an explosion.
Miss Mattie rush«*«! to the acene of
th«* accident, followed by everybody.
Young I-ettls, equally frighten«!«l, was
Close l>eside her.
"till, Will, are* you killed?' she cried.
And then a voice devoid of any signa
of weakuess. but loaded to the break
ing point with wrath, told in such lan
guage as bad never been beard tn
Falrflehl that the owner was still
much alive.
(Continued Next Week.)