University of San Francisco - USF Don Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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 JUNIOR I.AW J. Copes lake F. Ainsworth G. Stockleldt J. Taylor H. Nolan M. Conklin H. Schmidt M. Gracia C. McCullough T. Desmond L. Davey E. O’Donnell J. Fitzgerald J. Welch J. McDermitt II. Ditxrt L Duty W. Presho C. Ohlandt

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28 THE !GS A T! AS spised it. For what or whom was he gathering it? Lot the robber have it. It could only bring him evil. His own claims were rich. There was plenty more. It was not cowardice that caused him almost to curse his haste, but the shame that he had had lost his self-control; that he had allowed the sentiments of earlier life to reassert their sway; that lie had proved recreant to his pessimism when unexpectedly put to the test. This was what pained him but he could not turn back now. No one would understand him. lie didn’t know that Mrs. O’Flaherty had sized him up when she said on one occasion; “It’s all war-paint that’ll come off wid the washin. ” He had no idea that the washing had commenced. Yes, he must go forward. This point settled, he felt that he was himself again. On he sped unmindful of the beauties of nature. He was thinking of tin miles ahead. To the outcome he gave little thought. No brave man thinks of the outcome. And, after all. to whom did it matter? In Hold-Hug he had finished the quest for vengeance. He had lived by the grave of the man who had ruined his life. It was hard for him to forgive his wife, and Ik yearned for his boy—but Black Jack was the proposition at present—Whoa! He had just turned a rocky bend in the road, and there coming down the hill at full speed was the stage that had been robbed. Had the stage been nearer the turn, his ride would have ended there; for the spring freshets had cut into the back leaving little room to pass. He and his horse would have landed among the boulders in the bed of the stream below. “You can’t even trust yourself in this world.’’ was his silent comment. And as he saw the stage-driver draw up his horses and reach for his gun. he added aloud. “And you can’t pin your faith to stage-drivers that have been visited bv Black Jack.” He threw up his arms and pressed his horse slowly forward to where a meeting might safely take place. The stage-driver soon recognized him and laid aside his gun. and as he took up the reins he east a hasty glance

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30 THE MS AT I AS ;il something wrapped in blankets on the root behind him. It was about the length and breadth of a man. Probably some passenger killed in the fray. “Gone? queried Seb, as the stage drew abreast and he nodded to the bundle. “Gone for good this time. answered the man; so at first I feared that the news had spread and that you might be a pal. Black Jack took the Kid too easily and here's all that't life of him. But the Kid himself is hurt and 1 must hasten to Gold-Bug. Nothing has been lost. You can go faster than 1, so have a doctor ready. “Drive him to my hut, said Seb. “I’ll have him tended to. and wheeling his horse, he was off with the wind. Black Jack dead Fire amid the Redwoods could only fly as fast as the news in Gold Bug. Killed by a Kid! It was as if a child had toppled over a giant of the forest. Whose kid? How? Where? There was a Babel of voices, but the doctor had to be found and the hut made ready. A horse and rider passed out from among them and none dared stop them. The gambling house was reached in a few minutes. The doctor listened, stacked his cards and hastened for his instruments. Mrs. O'Flaherty was giving a full account of the affray to a neighbor, imagination supplying all necessary details. But she broke off just at the most interesting part when Seb curbed his horse and shouted. “You're wanted at the hut, Mrs. O'Flaherty, and immediately galloped off. “I'll get me shawl an' be over, shouted Mrs. O'Flaherty. Seb caught the words and waved his hand that lie understood. “I'll need a guard as well as a nurse, he said to himself, “and that woman's a legion. lie knew of what he spoke. The stage was just at the door, as Mrs. O'Flaherty arrived. and a crowd of the curious had gathered. But a hand opportunely administered to the young and a word to their elders, aided by the doctor's warning that the boy would need quiet and rest, caused the bystanders to melt away,