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Show jserged from hls sanctum, aad grist 'How?' said Frank, pnrxled. THE GIRL AT THE HALFWAY CHAPTER VI. Continued. "Hate to lose you," bald the Judge politely "hate to lose you, of course, but then a young man's got to make tie way; he's got to get his start" rTanhlin rose and turned toward the elder man. "If - ou please, Judge, aid he, "get the committee appointed if you can. Ill take the for examination now." "Yea! You are in a hurry! "Then tomorrow I'll go over and a'ay good-byto my sister; and the next day I think Ill follow the wagons West. Ive not much to put in a wagon, so I can go by rail. The roads away west of the Missouri now, and my letter comes from the very last station, at the head of the track. So? said the Judge. "Well, that ou. it Icb be far enough, sure, if you go clean to tho Jumping-of- f place. t e CHAPTER VII. 9 The New World. Franklin crossed the Missouri river, that dividing stream known to a generation of Western men simply as the River, and acknowledged as the boundary between the old and the new, the known and untried. When he descended from the rude train he needed no one to tell him he had come tq Elllsville. He was at the limit, the edge, the boundary! "Well, friend," said the fireman, who was oiling the engine as he passed, and who grinned amiably as he spoke, you're sure at the front now. Franklin had not advised his friend Battersleigh of his intended arrival, but as he looked about him he saw that he bad little need for any guide. Elllsville as an actual town did not yet exist A rude shanty or two and a line of tents Indicated the course of a coming street More than forty cow ponies stood In the Cottage corral or In tlje street near by. Afar there welled the sound of morning HOUSE looking alout him at the strange new Country, in which he felt the proprietorship of early discovery. As Franklin was walk.'.g on, busy with the impreisions of his new world he became conscious of rapid hoof beats coming up behind him. and turn ed to see a horseman careering across the open in his direction, with no apparent object in view beyond that of making all the noise possible to be made by the freckled faced cowboy who had been up all night but fetlll had some vitality which needed vent "Eeeeee yow heeeeee' yelled the cowboy, both spurring and reining his supple, cringing steed "Keeeeee-ylThus vociferating he rode yeeeee! straight at the footman, with appar ently the deliberate wish to ride- him down, binding that lie failed to create a panic, he pulled up with the pony's nose almost over Franklin's shoulder "Hollo, stranger, tried the rid r Cheerfully; "where are you goln, this bright an happy niornlnT Franklin made no Immediate reply and the cowboy resumed "Have a chaw?" lie said affably, and looked surprised when Franklin thank ed him but did not accept. "Say," said the cowboy, after a" time "say, I reckon kin lick you "Do you think so?" said Franklin calmly, pulling up his shoulders ami feeling no alarm. Shorely I do," said the other; "I reckon I kin lick you. er heat you shootin, er throw you down." Friend," said Franklin, "get down off that horse, and I'll give you a little wrestle to see who rides. What's your name, anyhow?" "Whoa!" said the other. "Name's He was on the ground as he Curly said this last, and throwing the bridle The animal over the horse's neck stood as though anchored. Curly cast his hat upon the ground and trod upon It lu a sort of ecstasy of combat. He rushed at Franklin without argument or premeditation. p 1 Why, you won him. Oh, pshaw!" said Franklin. 7? I wasnt wrestling for youf sense! horse, only for a ride. Besides, I didn't have any horse put up against yours. I couldnt lose anything." That's so, said Curly. 1 hadn't tbcught of that. Say, yon teem like I white sort o feller. Tell you what IB Just do with you. 1 think a heap o mj saddle, an longs you aint got a saddle yet that you have got used tft like it don't make much difference to you if you get another saddle. But yo just take this here boss along. Na thats all right. I kin git ma another ack to the cuiral, el as good is thil me. Jim Parsons, feller on the big punch o' cows that come up from the San Marcos this spring, why, he gol llk-night before last. Ill Just tatt one o his bosses, 1 reckon. I kin 4i t so'st you kin git bis saddle, tf yos al e a notion to ti." Franklin looked twice to see It there a as affectation in this calm statement, 'mt was forced, with a certain horror. ' believe that his new acquaintance poke of this as a matter of fact, and as nothing startling. He had made o comment when he was prevented from loing so by the exclamation of tie owlxjy, who pointed out ahead. "Tht re's Batty's place. said he, "si (here's Batty himself. Git up, quick; git up, an' ride in like a gentlemu. It's bad lurk to walk. Franklin laughed, and, taking the, reins, swung himself Into the saddle with the ease of the cavalry mount, (hough with the grasp st (lie cantle. with the ends of the reins i his right hand. d funny wy "Well, that's a d liltin' on top of a hoss, said Curly. 'Are jou Irani the saddle's goln to it awa from jou? Better be Xraid ixnit the boss. Git up, Bronch! he slapped the horse on the hip it h his hat. and gave the latter a Ahirl in the air with a shrill which was all that reWhoooop-eee!named needful to set the horse off on t series of wild, plunges lie "bucking of which Franklin Ltd heart so much; a maneuver peculiar to the half wild Western horses, and one which is at the first experience a desperately difficult one for even a skilful horseman to overcome. It perhaps did nut occur to Curly that ke was inflicting any hardship upon tke newcomer, and perhaps he did not really anticipate what followed on tke part either of the horse or Its rider. Had Franklin not been a good rider, and accustomed to keeping hls held while sitting mounts, ke must have suffered almost instantaneous defeat in this sudden encounter. The horse threw hls head down far between his fore legs at the start, and then went angling and zigzagging away over the hard ground In a wild career of humpbacked antics, which jarred Franklin to the marrow of hls hones. The air became sclntillant and Fits head luminously red. seepjjJ filled with loose liquid. "hW Spine turned into a column of mere gelatine. The thudding of the hoofs wns so rapid and so punishing to hls senses that for a moment he did not realize where he actually was. Yet with the sheer Instinct of horsemanship he clung to the saddle In some fashion, until finally he was fairly forced to relax the muscular strain, and so by accident fell Into the secret of the seat loose, yielding, not tense and strung. cried "Go it, go It whooop-e-e-e- ! Curly, somew here out In a dark world. Set him fair, pard-ner- ! Set him fair, now! Let go that leather! Ride him straight up! That'a d t i v " stiff-legge- i THE FATAL REQUEST O R F O U N D OUT By A. L Marrla Author of Mine Own Familiar F riwnd. etc. ftfrHjtl, CHAPTER Xv Continued. Long before the eervlce was over there were sounds of lamentation and walling from many of those present, and several were compelled to quit the church from the violence of their emotion. At last It was over and the numerous and variously compounded congregation broke up. After partaking of a frugal meal, Ted sat down to await the arrival of Dr. Cartwright, He hoped that nothing unforeseen would occur to cause him to put off hls visit, for he was beginning to rely a good deal upon the energetic little man, who had shown himself at once shrewd and kindly In hls dealings with him. He could scarcely believe he had met him yesterday for the first time and here be became aware of a brisk and familiar voice below. How do you find yourself toxlay, Mrs. Jlnman, and hows your lodger? Hope you're looking after him well; giving him plenty of new laid eggs and cream and that sort of thing? Theres nothing like good living to soften the effect of a bereavement. Ted heard the voice gradually mounting the stairs and the next moment the doctor's head was put inside the door. Hullo! was hls greeting, "there you are. Well, how are you getting on? Ted said that he felt pretty well. Glad to hear it, was the next remark, as the maker of it allowed the rest of his body to follow his head. By the by, saw you in church Jtis morning. Sad spectacle very! Shall we be off? They left the cottage and made their way In the direction of the station. When they came in sight of the line they saw that there were still parties of men at work, searching among the heaps of rubbish for money or jewelry or anything else that might have survived the general ruin. ' x new-foun- d ways-?-Sectlo- right!" (To be continued.) MAKING A PUMPKIN PIE. L that? And, regardless of the consequences to his clothes, he began to grope among the shattered remains of the flooring. In a few seconds he looked up again, flushed and grimp, but triumphant. He held in is hand a conical shaped piece of lead. I thought as much, he said, as he handed It to the other "a ball from a revolver! CHAPTER XI. Dr. Jeremiah at Home. The inquest, which took place at noon on Monday, was held In the school house. The jury, having been sworn in, proceeded to view the bodies and on their return from this melancholy duty the coroner made an which announcement, unexpected caused a great sensation among the closely packed audience. It having been brought to y notice that one of the supposed victims of the late disastrous affair, Instead of losing bis life, as was concluded vt the time, through the accident Id which so many have, unfortunate.v, perished, has come by his deali through foul play, it is my intention t) hold a separate inquiry upon the body I shall at the same hour now proceed with my inquiry as to the manner in vhich the other passengers met their death. Call the first witness. I.ater in the day hundreds of people gathered in the churchyard to witness the interments The body of Silas Burritt had been taken back to the vestry, where it would remain until hls son fulfilled the promise he had made and brought it home. "Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, came the words i ly. youve thought Glad to see you. "He seems to know you," said Ted (To tie continued ) Simple Explanation. An old man wandered into one of the hospitals of an Eastern city. Hls eyesight was rather bad, and he had come in the hope of securing relief He was turned 'over to a young doc tor, who adjusted a large frame in thought as much! A The station master was watching their operations from the platform, I and to him Dr. Cartwright addressed himself. Look here, Mullins, I want to know what you've done with that carriage the fourth from the engine that we managed to save from being quite destroyed with the others. The one, you know, in which we found He whispered the rest in his ear. The station master replied, with a glance of curiosity and sympathy combined at the young man, w ho was the doctor's compannioD. that the carriage or the repnains of it had been left at the side of the line, about one hundred yards farther down. They noon found Here'a a Description of How Grandmother Did It. Does any one remember the pumpkin pies which grandmother used to Grandmother make? opened the pumpkin and took out its works and peeled and sliced It and put It in the kettle, where It was boiled until It was soft and mushy, but not too mushy. I ater she pressed the result through it. the holes In a rolander, and when zhe "Ah, yes, said the doctor, this is had dished out a portion for Immediate the very carriage. You see, it Is a use, she was ready to begin the good deal damaged; but I think, for construction of the pumpkin pie. - A all that, we may be able to find what lug and square iron bake sheet was we are looking for. The first comlined with flour crust, which covered partment is the one that concerns us." the bottom of the pan and reached up One door of this had been smashed along the four edges until the pastry and beaten in by the force of the concould look over the rim. Then she cussion; the seat had been splintered, put an egg and a sufficient amount of and showed that ifie fire had caught sweet milk In among the pumpkin and it in places, and the flooring way torn added a whole lot of black molksse up. The other end of the compartand a pinch of salt, and a big lot of ment, though less wrecked, had reginger, and a pinch and a half of ceived more damage from the fire, the grated nutmeg to the concoction, and cushions had entirely disappeared, the when these had been stirred in among woodwork was black and charred, and the milk and the pumpkin, the mass what remained of the door hung from of ingredients was poured Into the a single binge ' ake pan amd the pan was closed up "Now," said the doctor, taking off .nside of the oven to be eremated hls coat before clambering in, "you while the children waited outside with had better stop outside; there isn't the water oozing from our moetbs room for two of us In here at once. until the wonderful experiment was It was In this corner indicating that completed. end of the carriage which had reAnd nobody except some few of us ceived least damage from the fire lucky old chaps ever tasted anything "that we found him. "He was lying like one of those pumpkin pies. It there, with his head against the back was deep and spicy and sweet and of the compartment, and the lower It was more like a pumpsatisfying part of his body jammed between the kin pudding, so thick it was, and broken door and the seat. His head, wholly like unto ambrosia steeped In as you might say, rested here, pointnectar, so toothsome it was; and ing out a particular part of the padwhen we think of those great squares ding which yet remained. "The bulof pumpkin pie which found their way let, which passed through It. must down our ravenous gullet, we wonder have lodged somewhere about there. how It Is that modern boys manage If so, we are sure to find It." to live at all without pumpkin pie. Cutting what was left of the cloth In strips with his knife, he began to Bangor News. I pull out the stuffing In handfulls. dont know whether the railway comCholera Decimates Army. pany would have anything to say to The Increase J the death rate In this, he remarked, as he carefully the army to 15.49 per 1,000 during tbs passed the msterlal through hls finfiscal year Is chargeable to cholera, gers, before passing h on to hls comwhich carried off three and a met panion outside, who did the same, to the 1,000. but whenever Im In doubt about my 1f right to do a certain thing, I always do It first and Inquire afterwards. There was a nose of something metallic falling. Hullo! cried the doctor. Whats eome yoo And what think of my little place?" was the next Inquiry, accompanied by a comprehensive sweep of the hand. Pretty snug, eh? Not bad quarters for a bachelor? Hls visitor expressed approval of hls surroundings, which certainly were well worthy of the appellation "snug bestowed upon them by their owner. At the same time there was an air of compactness, of severe attention to detail, which was suggestive of the fact that the present occupant had, at one time or other, been restricted In the matter of elbow room. "Yes, ifm pretty comfortable, the doctor went on. 'Tve got a very goo housekeeper, on the whole. Her chief fault Is that she's so confoundedly suspicious! reechoed the other. "Suspicious! Well, I thought she looked at me rather strangely when she let me In. The little doctor chuckled, and showed symptoms of great inward enAh! you thought 80s did joyment. you? The fact is, shes in mortal terror of my getting married! Well, but that wouldn't make her suspicious of me! "My dear fellow, shes suspicious of She's jealous of every everybody. woman, single or married, because the singly ones, being single, are open to offers, while the married ones are liable to lose their husbands at a moments notice, and, as widows, would be more to be feared than the others. "But I belong to neither category! said the young man. Surely "My dear boy, cut In the other, as a young man you are likely to possess female relatives a sister or a cousin or an aunt, either of whom Might eventually prove dangerous to Siy peace of mind. Ted Burritt actually laughed, to the little man's great satisfaction, as the idea presented itself to him of his sister May as a possible aspirant to the position of Mrs. Jeremiah Cartwright. In less that a moment, however, the laugh had died away, and a corresponding expression of despondency settled down upon his features, He thinking of that inquest thought the doctor, "and hia father's body lying in the vestry. I must get him out of that groove again. Here" starting to his feet "come and have a walk round my premises before it gets dark tiHe took him out through the surgery, and showed him a neat little domain, which was divided into por tions, .in which grew, respectively, flowers, fruit and vrgi tallies. At the bottom was a fowl run and a very small circular pond, about the size of an ordinary wash-hanbasin, in which paddled a solitary duck, who, as soon aR he caught sight of the doctor, forsook his favorite element, and came waddling towards him, quacking loudSo would. do you "cTTVrTfirrriiT7TTmTTcTT7TrrTirnTrrr!rrcTimfirirf. 1 I t r t f. i t Smith. half-broke- Rubbed his head and made sundry exclamations of surprise. The latter had not attended coun-ttAfter breakfast Franklin paused for school for nothing. Stepping light a moment at the hotel office, almost as large and empty as the dining room. ly aside, he caught his ready opponent Different men now and then came and as he passed, and, with one arm about passed him by, each seeming to have his neck, gave him a specimen of the some business of his own. The clerk "hlploek" which sent him In the air at the hotel asked him if he wanted over his own shoulder. The cowboy Still another came down mui h In a heap, but pres to locate some land. somewhat stranger, a florid and loosely clad ently sat up, his hair young man with a rni.ld blue eye. ap- rumpled and sandy. He rubbed his proached him and held some converse. head and made s.undry exclamations "Huh! said he. "Well Mornln, friend, said the young of surprise. I'm d d! Now, how you spose that man. said Franklin. Good morning, happened. You kain't do that again, "I allow you're just in on the front," he said to Franklin, finally. "bhouldn't wonder if 1 could, said said the other. 1 came on Franklin, laughing. "Yes," said Franklin, "Ixxik out fer me I'm cornin! the last train." cried Curly. "Stay long? ' They met more fairly this time, and "Well, as to that, said Franklin, "1 hardly know, but I shall look around Franklin found that he had an antag onlst of little skill In the game of a bit. 1 didnt know but maybe you'd like wrestling, but of a surprising wiry, to go south o here, to Plum Center. bodily strength Time and again the I run the stage line down there, about cowboy writhed away from the hold, forty-similes, twlct a week. That a and came back again with the light of It was only after my livery barn over there second battle in his eje wooden building In the town. Sam s several moments that he succumbed, If you want this time to the insidious "grapevine. my name; Sam Poston. to go down there, come over and Ill He fell so sharply that Franklin had fix you up. difficulty In breaking tree In order not Franklin replied that he would be to fall upon him. The cowboy lay glad to do so In case he had the need, prone for a moment, then got up and and was about to turn away. He was dusted off his bat "Mount, friend, said he, throwing Interrupted by the other, who stopped him with an explosive "Say! the bridle back over the horse's neck You done It without other word. "Yes, said Franklin. "Did you notice that girl In the din- fair! black' I'll tell you what we'll do," said ing room, pony built like, slick, We II haired, dark eyes wears glasses? Say Franklin, extending his hand. that's the smoothest girl west of the just both walk along together a way. I'll get me a river. Shes w aitin, in the hotel here, if you don't mind. she taught horse pretty soon. You see. I'm a new but say (confidentially), school onet yes. sir. You know, I'm mnn here just got in this morning If and I, haven't had time to look around gone on that girl the worst way. I thought I'd go out and you get a chanct to put in a word for much jot meet my fiiend, and perhaps then we me, you do It, won't you? Franklin was somewhat impressed could talk over surh things together " with the swiftness of acquaintance"Shore, said Curly. Why didn't ships In this new land, but he retained you tell me? Say. ole Batty, he s his own tactfulness and made polite crazy to ketch a whole lot o hosses assurance of aid should It become pos- outn a band o wild bosses down to sible. the Beaver Creek. Ha always me to help him ketch them hosses "Id be mighty obliged," said his Seems like I lose friend. is fond of horses. said "Battersleigh my nerve every time I try to say a Franklin, "and he's a rider, too. Do you want a word to that girl. He "That's .so," admitted Curly. Y'ou orter see him when he team? kin ride "Thank you, said Franklifi, "but I gits his full outfit on, sword an pistol hardly think so. I went to find my by his side, uh huh! "He has a horse, then?" friend Colonel Battersleigh. and I "Has a hoss? Has a' hoss has (Jerstand he live not 'ry far away. Oh. you mesu old Batty. Yes, he what? Why o course he has a hoss. Is there anybody that ain't got a lives just out south a little ho 1? No. 9, southeast quarter. Well, I haven't, said Franklin. Franklin passed on In the direction "You geft this one," said Curly. which had been pointed out to him, 4 him With great cordiality. front of the patients eyes and placed in it a couple of strong magnifying glasses. He then held a printed card ball from a revolver! some distance awaj Can jou read that?" he asked. of the burial service, as one by one "No, sir, replied the old man. the coffins were lowered, and the The doctor then put in stronger first spadeful of earth cast upon them. glasses and brought the card nr :rer. Ted Burritt stood bareheaded beWell," he inquired, "can jou lead side his new friend, the doctor. Sud- it now?" denly there was a commotion among The old fellow shook his head, say-- I the crowd at a little distance and he ing, "No. not a word." heard a sharp cry. ' Then the crowd After repeating this performance opened, as though to make way for several times the doctor ws about to some one, and he saw a young man turn him over in despair to his more leading a figure in black, whom he experienced when the old superior, as the widow, whose hope- man recognized quietly explained' less grief he had before been a wit- 1 never "You learned to ness of, but who now was clinging read." see, doctor, to the arm of the youth who support- ed her, and seemed as though her sud- Not the Queen of Sheba. den joy were almost more than she The teacher was going over the could bear. good old story of King Solomon ana "I was never in the train at all," his wisdom he was assuring her over and over "Now, dears who was the great ."It was quite a mistake! queen who traveled so many miles again. What made you think you recognized and miles to see the king? Silence prevailed in the class. me?" "Why, jou do ki ow, all of you The "There was a bit of cloth Just like your coat but oh, my boy, to think queen who came to see the king? The name had been forgotten by And the couple I've got you again! the class. In order to help them, followed i on, the sympa-passed by but misguided teacher began the kind, murmrua of the crowd. thetic to offer a little assistance what of think now, "Well, d'you You do know, I aut sure The that for a sentimental episode? Sort name begins with S, and she was a of thing fne reads of but doesn't believe in, eh? Dear me," and the doc- very great queen. Just ttien up shot a little hand, and tor took off his spectacles for no apout spoke the triumphant voice of the and them reason, parent polished auburn haired girl. She transcarefully on his silk handkerchief. little, "You didn't see the meeting between fixed the listenirg schoolroom with the following brief statement' them, did you? The women were cry1 know; it was the Quera of ing all round me, and they've made Spades! my spectacles quite dull The Open Door. Then, passing his arm through the I know exactly how it hapdon't Come other's, along," he said, youve had quite enough of this. Come and pened, Reggie was telling his best "I You friend over a game of billiars. spend the evening with me.1 know where live? No? Well, any- never meant to propose, jou know one can tell you that. Good bye. I that is, not just yet. I wanted to must bo off got a lot of sick people knock about a little more. But fter we got home from the theater and to look after. sat in the parlor discussing the plot no Ted had difficulty in finding out of the play, 1 ventured out on thin tee the house. The door was opened to nd broke through betore I knew him by an elderly woman servant, I was. It came as a deuce of a where who, as Ted thought, seemed to re- shock, just as I should imagine breakgard him with a certain amount of ing through real ice would be. Howbett, she bade him suspicion. "But Jessie was all ready for me. enter. From an Inner room a voice She was expecting it. First thing I hailed him. knew she had me by the Jollar and "Hullo! that you? Thats right landed me on safe ground again but be with you In a minute. Just wait I was engaged. No doubt about that. until I've finished poisoning off the Anyhow, Im glad Ive got her. Might And, through the half open have lost her through some' slip if f'd parish. door cajne the clink of glass and the waited. But I dont want to read any sound of liquids being poured from more stuff about bashful fellows stamone receptacle to another. mering out proposals. It's all too The next moment Dr. Cartwright easy. |
