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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 1908)
fc-l The Spoilers. By REX E. DOACH. Copyright. 1905, by Itcx E. Bench. Ciiitiinii l nin iiiiit( ;i iowi;tri!r71v iiuj -7.rZiTc; (lie night enroKllne; 111 1 1 1 without sign or trace. Ah Ik nin lio considered wluit cottno to follow whether (o curry the call (o Ills comrades In town or to make for the crook utkl Dextry. Tho vigilantes might. Kt ill dlslriisl lilm, mid yet lie owed tlioin warning. MeXnimirn'i! moil wore moving ho swiftly that ac tion muni bo speedy to forestall thorn. Another hour and the net would lie closed, wlilh It .seemed that whichever course ho chose thoy would Himro one or the other-either the friends' who remained in lown or Ie and Slapjack out in the hills. With daylight those two would return and walk unheeding into the trap, while if he lioro the word to I hem first (lieu the vigilantes- would ho Jailed hel'ore dawn. As he drew near Cherry Ma lotto's house ho Haw n light through the drawn cur tains. A heavy raindrop pla-thcd upon his face, another followed, and lliou lie lioanl the palter of falling water In creasing swiftly. ltefore lie could gain the door the storm had bioken. It swept up the street with tropical vio lence, wlille a breath sighed out of the night, lilting the litter from underfoot and polling him with Hying particle. .Over the roofs the wind rushed with 'T"fw rising motui of a Inirricni". whll" tho night greW- UUil'lenly nol-y a heat of the tempest. . lie outvied UZ ,oor witiiuui knock -big to find the girl removing her coat. I lor face gladdened at siglu of him. Jmt he checked her with tpikk and 'cautious woitls-, his speech almost, drowned by tbo Voftr outside. "Arc ;vou alone'" She nodded, mid lit! slipped the bolt behind him, saying: "Tho marshals are after me. Wo Ju.st bad a 'run in' at tho Northern, ami I'm on tho go. No nothing seri ous .vol, but they want tho vigilantes, mid I must gel them word. Will you help mo?" lie rapidly recounted m tow of the last ton minutes. whiV she untitled her ipilt-k understanding. "You're safe here for a little while," sho told him. "for the storm will chock them. If they should come, there's a back door loading out from the kitchen and a side entrance yonder. In my room you'll llnd u l'rctich win dow. They can't corner you very "well." "Slapjack and Dex are out at the sha ft house --you know- that quartz claim on the mountain above (ho Mi das." lie hesitated. "Will you lend mo your saddle horse? It's a hlael. night, and I may kill him." "What about these men in town':" "I'll warn them llrt, then hit for the hills." She shook her head. "You can't do It. You can't get out there before day light if you wait to rouse ihee peo ple, and MoNamarn has probably tele phoned the mines to send a party up to tho quart', claim after Iov. He knows wIi-to the old man Is s well as you do. and they'll raid him before dawn." "I'm afraid so, but it's all 1 can of for. Will you give ine Hit' hor-o?" "No! He's only a nonv. ami voit'd rounder him in the tundra. The mud Is knee deep. I'll go myself." "Jootl heavens, girl. In such a niglu! Why. It's worth your life! I.i-ien to It! The creeks will lit up ami you'll have to swim. No. I can't let you."' "He's a good little hor-e. anil he'll take me through." Then coming close she continued: "Oh, lite, : Can't you see that I want to help? Can't you see that I - I'd die for ,oii If it would tlo any good?" lie gar.cd grave ly Into her wide blue eyes and said awkwardly: "Yes. I know. I'm sorry "things are as they are but you wouldn't have me lie to you. little wo man?" "No. You're the only true man I over know. 1 guess that's why I love you. And 1 do love you, oh. so much! I want to be good and worthy to love you too." She laid her face against his arm ami cares.sed him with clinging tenderness, While the wind yelled loudly about the oaves and the windows drummed ln ueiitli the rain. His heavy brows knit themselves together as she whispered: "1 love you! I love you! 1 love you!" with such an agony of longing fn her video that her soft act cuts wore sharply distinguishable above the tur moil. The growing wlldncss Meiiied a part of the woman's passion, which whipped ami hurried her like a willow In a Must. "Things are fearfully Jumbled," he saftl dually. "Ami this Is a bat) time to talk about ihein. I wMi they might bo tlilfetent. No other girl would tlo what you have offered tonight." 'Then why do you think of that woman?" she broke In lleivoly. "She's bad ami false. She betra.U'd you once; she's In the play now; you've told me so yourself. Why don't you be a man mid forgot her?" "I can't," he said simply, "You're wrong, though, when you think she's vnur-"ncmiu vminir in s!io':: ;uuu nnd brave and honest. The part she playotl was played Innocently. I'm sure of that, in Kplto of the fact that she'll marry McNamara. It wim hIio who beard them plotting and risked her reputation to warn mo." Cherry's face whitened, while the Khadowy eagerness that had rested there filed utterly. "She came Into that dive alone? She did that?" He nodded, at which she stood thinking for Homo time, then continued: "You're honest with mo, Hoy, and I'll bo the Httnie with you. I'm tired of don it, tired of every thing. I tried to make you think Mho was bail, but in my own heart I know differently all (he (line. She came here today and humbled her self to got the truth, humbled herself to mo, and I hoiiI her away. She sus pected, but she didn't know, ami when she asked for Information I insulted her. That's 4 In; kind of a or cat lire I , tve who urn. I sent her back to Slrtt offered to toll her tho whole tttory." ' "What does that renegade want?" "Can't you guess?" i "Why, I'd rather" Tho young man ground his teeth, but Cherry hastened. "You needn't worry; she won't see him again. She loathes the ground he walks on." J "And yel bo's no worse than that . other scoundrel. Come, girl, wt have work to do; we must act, and act i quickly." lie gave her his message to' Dex'lry, then she went to her room and ! slipped lute a riding habit. When slio ! came out he asked: "Where Is your raincoat? You'll be drenched in no ' time." "I can'l ride with it. I'll be thrown, anyway, and I don't want lo lie all K.IIltl.l III. lt'ntnii ....... 'I I.....I ..... J . , , . , I She Minis! tier ittiv I'ni'n vi' Int.. Iw.i ' -- "- ' ' " , dress, but ho took It ami upon oxamlna- ' (Ion shook bis head. ! "If oii need a gun you'll need a gooi! (?'"'." Ho removed the belt from ' his own tfitisr nnd buckled his Colts nbout her. liiii .....I" ..i... ..i.t. ....... i !.-. ,'VU, OIIC IIMJl'lTII'II, I "I'll get another In ton minutes." t Then as- they wore leaving, ho aid: "One other roquesl, Cherry. 1 il bo ; in hi.llng for a ilmo, ami 1 must got . word lo Mi Chester to keep watch of her untie. Tor tho big light Is on, at last and iho boys will hang hini sure ' If (hey catch him. I owe lior this list warning. Will you send It to her?" ' "I'll tlo It for your sake, not for her, no, no: I don't mean that. I'll do the right thing all round. Leave It here ( and I'll see that she gets ll tomorrow. And, liny, be careful of yourself." Her eyes were starry ami In their' depths lurked neither selfishness nor Jealousy miw, only that mysterious ' glory of a woman who makes sacrlllto j Together they scurried back lo tho ! stable, nnd et. In thai short distance, she woultl nave been swept from her feel had lit! not seized her. They blew In through the barn door, streaming and soaked by the blinding sheets that drove seytbellke ahead of the wind, lie si ruck a light, ami the pony whinnied nt recognition of bis mis tress. She stroked the little fellow's muzzle vfhile c,itnisier cinched on her saddle. Then when she was at last mounted, she leaned forward: "Will you kNs me once. Hoy. for the last time?" lie took bur rain wl face between bis burnt-; ami kissed her upon tho lips as be would have saluted a little maid. As he did so, unseen by both of them, a face was pressed for an Instant against the pane of glas-s In the stable wall. "You're a brave girl ami may 5od bless you." he said, extinguishing the light, lie tiling the door wide and she rotle out Into the storm. Locking the portal, he plunged back toward the hou.se to write his hurried- note, for thci'o was much to do and scant lime for iis accomplishment, dcsjiilo the helping h-rnd of the hurricane. He heard the v.Ice of llorlu a It tblllJ tlei'eil on the goldt.'i sanil-. autt knew Hint the tlr.t great storm of the fall bail rniuo. lleilt'efttl'lb be aw thai the Itdeiice of men would rival the ri-ing eleineuis. for the deeds of this night would stir ibelr parlous as Aeolus was loie-ing the hate of the M'it. lie iiegleetcti lo boll lln boili door a, lie entered, but iluug oil' hl dripplut; ; t-oat ami., seizing pad and pencil, M-raw leil his message. The wind' scicnmcd about the cabin. 1 1 it lamp i llared -inoklly and tilouisioi' fell a I tlrafl o-m-U i:t-t him a though from an ' ttpeu door al bis back a- he wrolt: I e.nt't iU .1 ti 1 lilliK mure, The end lias I'm ii'. mid il has bronchi tlie iiaintl :oid ' bttmiWIieil tliai I htive lit en iryhiK to pre- j W:llt. I il. is. (I tin; il'lli' .teionlllIK ! ' .Mini- rati it. but llie finvi it nn li.tek in' lir.-a pi Im 1 1 . 1 . m In Hplte of uiv.s. .1'. anil nnW ! 1 don't know what tlio Mulsh UI In. To iiiumm will tell. Taliu care of inr nn tie. ami It .Mm Niinnld wisli to ciiiiiiiiuiiI cnie tltli nn'. no to (Jhei-r .Miiluiie. .Sliu Ik a ti'leiid lo both ol" ns. Alw.i.s vnur uerani, ItOV UI.KNIS'l'KK. As be siMiini ts he paii-cil, while bo felt the hair on bis neck rl-e ami bris tle ami a eldll race up hW spine. His heart iliitiei'eil, thou pounileil ouwanl till t lit blond thumped ainllbl;v at his ear drums and he found IiIiihoII' sw'ay lug hi rli.vllun to Itt bent. The muscles of bis back i-rhigfil and rippled at (he proslmll.v of some hovering peril, ami .vet an Irresistible feeling I'niliade him lo (mil. A sound eame l,'n:n dice be hind his chalr-tlie drip, drip, drip of waler. It was not from the eaves, nor yet from a faulty siduslo. Ills back w.lo. tho kliclion tloj. ii...,.!, wl.1-1. no mitt come, nuu. altndugii tnoro no mirrors before him. he felt a i. aelng presence as surely as though It had touched him. Ills oars wore tuned to tho finest pin pricks or sound. o that he heard the faint, slgbl ig "squish" of a sodden Hhoe upon wliMi a weight had shifted. Still somothle;; chained him to his seat. It was as though his soul l:lld a restraining band upon his body, waiting for the Inst-Mit lie lot his hand seek his If p win-low ly, but remembered whore his gun was. Mechanically be addressed t! e unto 'n i shaking cliaraotors. while behind h'ni sounded the oonstant dr'p. lrlf. drl; J (hat ho knew oame from snluraf"d garments. For a long moment h 'it. till In; hoard the stealthy click of a g-m lock niulllotl by linger pressure. "m he set his face and slowly turnel to find tho Itroneo Kid standing behind ,,,m ns t,UM,Ku rls('n ,'10111 ,,U! S0!l' ll14 "'ll ,,HI,m's W(1 nni' ellnglng, his feet couiereti in u siiroatiing putmie. ii:e dim light showed the convulsive furv or his features above the leveled i weapon, whoso hammer was curled ' , ,' ,., .. , , . ., , , , back like tho head of a striking adder. Ids eyes gleaming with frenzy. (Jlen- lstor's mouth was powder dry. but his mind was leaping riotously like dust before a gnle. for he divined himself to bo in tho deadliest peril of his life. When be spike the calmness of his voice surprised himself. "What's (lie matter. Itroneo?" The lCitl made no reply, and Itoy repented, "What tlo you want?" "Thai's a bell of a question," the gambler said hoarsely. "I want you. til" course, and I've got .ou." "Hold up! I am mutinied. This is your third try. ami I want to know wl"f buck of it." ..... Manm the talk!" cried the faro deal or. moving rloscr till the light shone on his foil (tiros, which commenced to (witch. Ho raisKl the revolver ho hud i half lowered. 'Title's reason enough . iititl you know li." 1 fJienisler lyyJvvd him fairly between tuo eyes, gripping himsclt with linn liimilsi In t-fnii llin li'i.nwii. In. fi.lt In lil..- ,,, ..yfiU t.ail.t ,., ie, ,. SIlUI ,.v , ((M, K,( ., ,., , .,,,. Von ,,, vhoot ,,ruol. ,ml V0H t.inj-t ,., " )"on :'tii I Ltll 1111,'' hi ft. I a in ton tjnntr 11 mil 11 tit niui'ih'i .'' a bravo man when he's unarmed. You're 110 assassin." iu nMualnod rigitl In bis chair, however, moving nothing but bis lips, nieeliug the oth it's took iiiillbicblngly. .The Kid lies! tatcd mi install!, while bis eyes, which had been lived with the glare of hi trod, wavoicila moment, betraying the faintest sign of Indecision, (lleuister cried out exultantly: "I la! I knew it. Your neck cords quiver." The jjninhler grimaced. "I can't do It. If I could. IM have shot yon bo fore you turned. Itul you'll have to light. , oil dog. Cot up ami draw." Itoy refused. "I gave Cherry my gun." "Yes. ami more, too." the man grit led. "I saw II all." I'lVeii yet tileuislor had made no slightest move, iv.ilix.ing Unit a I'cath er's weight niiglii snap the gambler's lierMius tension ami bring the inolun tary twitch that would put him out swifter than a whip is cracked. "I have irleil 1! before, but murder Isn't my game." The Kid's e.e cauglil the glint of ('beriy's ivwdwr where she bad discarded It. "There's a gun (let 111" "It's no good. You'd carry the sl bullets ami never fool them. I don't know what Ibis Is all about, but I'll ' tight you whenever I'm heeled right." 'uh. you black hearted hound! .iiarlcd llin KM "I waul lo shoot, but "in afraid. 1 used lo be a geuilenmn. ami 1 haven't lost it all.. I guess, i'.ut I won't wtilt the iieM time. I'll down you on sight, .so you'd holler gel iroite.l In a hurry." lie backed out of I he room into the stinddarkuoss of the kilciieii. watching with lyiiKlike 'los'fiioss tho man wlin sat so quietly UJidor the shaded light, lie fell -bo hind him for the outer doorknob ami turned ll to let in a while sheet of rain, then vanished like a sform wraith, leaving a parchcdflippcd man ami a xiuxag trail of water, which gleamed hi the lamplight like a pool of blood. to he continued. r..S. IMIKOIATISM CUIIKP IN A DAY. Dr.l'uitiliiins Hullurfor Itlu'iimailbin nndNinirnl Kin ruilii'.illy m la 1 to.'ltlnjs. itsnctlunopon Uiu syMuui Is lenntrlaible anil in Merloni.. It remove al oacu tin viwiw tiiul ihuilbcie.o Iw- , iiieilliitt-'iy dl"iiiiL'iir.. The llr.st doo urentlv Imiit-tllH, ?s coots huh l. sold by II. E. Oiaoc dniKulsl, IU'd Clniid. I, utiles' all wool underwear at !' , Xl,wl(lllM..Sf Now , lhl. iUnv lo huy. ntun ft, Kirfnpuc flrA " inw IllllllDjfo HID WpnlfWlPfi hi fluor Wnrl nDaltUIUI Ujf UYCI'ITUlH Unhealthy Kidneys Make Impure Blood, n U8c,i lo j,e cottsidcrud that only urinary and bladder troubles were to be m traced to tho kidneys, sf&tctf&iX'zf) bnt nnv .modern nCT science proves thnt Swm )r !,tarly "U i tiscn.hCS WMhli -',ve ,, "i- "cK.im,lK IfWM f JUT LIT Iniportaut -ct v I orjra)S. jQj(ILJyJ The ' kidneys filter a "yT25 and purify the blood 'v6 that is their work, Therefore, when your kiducyaure weak or ."V1, of onlcr' .Y"11. C!m u.,,,lc"t!1",i hovi 'yy"""-' 'V'. . , "' bow every orau hceins to fail to do its Jul v. It you are sick or " feel badly," begin taking the great kidney remedy, Dr. Kilmer's Swamp-Root, b'ecause as soon ns your Kiuiicy.s tiru wen uicy m iiuijj '' t'1" "titer organs to health. A trial wilt convince anyone. ,?", Jili.w.va take by brst tlt)ctt)ring vour kidneys, r,,L lt,f(l rM1)1 Ulu jctrniirifiimrv effect of j)r KJinur Swamp-Root, "tlio great kitluer rcinetlv. is soon lealied. It stands the highest for its wonderful cures t of tbo most distressing cases, ami is sold on its merits iiv all druggists in tifty-ceiit havei sample bottle i!om.oS7amD.nx.t. bj- mail fico, also a pamphlet tilling you how to tl ti I out if you have kidney or bladder trouble. Mention this paper when writing" to Dr. Kilmer & Co.. lling- iiamttm, .. . Don t make any nnstakt but remember the name, Swamp-Root, Ilr. Kilmer's Swamp-Root, and the ad- .ooss.ninyiiamton.N.Y., on every bottle. Mercer's ' Barber Shop I Basement of Potter Block. Massaging a Specialty City Dray and ft ."i-v- PLixtfruSfh, "i:-iXw mil iine-t ollar !.iyeU;:f::!r(;. H;!RW!;5 bottler You inavi::iiy'lL-lia3yS F. "VV. STUDEBAKIfilS, TKOP. Goods Delivered to any part CITY AGENTS FOR ADAIS EXPRESS CO. Residence 188. S o K&ja3r &D K M iVn They Conmpel Admiration First, because they look then, because they wear so so lonpr. That's the Studebaker vct&isA and we guarantee that there better made wagon in the world. It's right to the last detail. All lumber used is air seasoned; and .itcel tested and inspected. in and let us show you what a real ly good wagon is. "V KTTrW We have 1 tlJ&rU4 1Hljil "uus lul dot one. It Wolfe i)liylkb ib toliilitU.lifctvktt,ii,;loli,iliVfclitiilolJ.,iUM.ifc vfcii tit iJbitibitniaiaivlilibibaalibirki SAY, niSTER! Do you know that it will pay YOU, as well as US, to buy your Buildiug Mti terial nnd Coal nt ouryards? Not only that our prices AVEnA.r,E lower, or at least ns low, as those of our competit ors, but because wo take especial care of and protoct all can be classed as REGULAR C U S T OMERS, PLATT & Coal. iiw i if ! iimnirviw,vii mm m. .L "" SU s 'ynlnil rnrm Pvoiif, Kiitmlng Stork HnWr.p Jn mtmi mmrn Some of the choicest lnntts for crnlo frrcnvlns: stock mining iiml mixed ftirmln in tliu nev tits trlctr, of KaHkiitchcwnn unit Alberta have :e ccntly bcn Opened fttr Set I lenient muter Revised Homestead Regulations Untry may now be made by proxy (on i-ctttilu cnn:llft)ns),by tlic father, mother, son.tlatu.'hUr. brother or Mster of nn intumtlnt; homesteader 'J'houiianOs of tiomesteatls of 1W acres ouch atu (litis now easily available in Ihcoc irruatgrait srowlag, Mocleralslni: ami mixed fanning nt titinti. Tliero yon will find healthful climate, ro1 nelnhbors, eliurohcs for family worship, schools for yonr children, cood lavs, KiitumlM crcr5 and railroad!! convenient to market. Katry feu in each ease ' ;in.(0. For ittinphlf tf "Last Bet West," pfttilcttlarans to ratcii.rootts best tlaio to ko and wiuro to locate, apply to W. V HBVNBTT Wl Nev.- Yor.'c Ufe HHB , (itii.ihri, Kf b Canadian CJoveramcni Arrni hSAKEACQIiiUHCOME 'Tri in id? itt r-'rrtir. ir n 4 itcotMiitj i-J rjiMlIk 2t if.' .i,i n. o rr rn Sro t I i ..n i nn rnrrrj UlU. V .LI IirOUOMl HIMN-b 1.. , ,, wiU ii. n T kmiikivH i rut .uiM f..r tV .r cf Vt.0 Wliri r ilp I'HI l,W.f(t pa tDlll.i A M VjJm( ft w im ioi ,-) riAtttrn i-.vif . t i-j js'siirKiTt IV I' Uun--Pwf w Qliifif'rM q i i nj v.sj.3.1. Star Drilling Machine Co.. Akron.O. . "-" 'r- ' "" it ; Just Received, a Car ol FLOUR AT- PLIMB'S FLOUR and FEED STGI& You can save money by taking 500 pounds of him.l Express Line, of the city. Charges as low as the Lowes fc. isa TELEPHONES, Ofl&eilQ. X3 k m m '' V so good, and well and last 1 'hi . Tt r-. A, . - R m:': r, isn't a ', W whole m '.,, a-.w m all ironv n. Come A & i. some Studebaker menus wuu wait. is worth reading. ft Beardslee, Red Cloud, Neb,. C Ci & I s & s-f-e-c-c- 6 Ci FREES CO. Lumber. i t - ,f -, " HMt,y-V-'''ffrMwy-an-iy J JwWW