A FRSH START 22

bill was walking down the street to the livery stable, his mind on the kearneys, and his little ranch he had fallen in love with his head was bowed as he walked along deep in thought. as he passed a ally a voice called his name from the shadows in the ally. he stopped and turned his head only to see a pistol explode. before he heard the report of the gun he was hit down low and it spun him around and he fell face first into the dusty street.he tried to push himself up but there was no strength in his arms behind him he head a number of gun shots. but his concious was fadeing fast then every thing went black. the sun was bright, shining in his eyes makeing him squint. he tried to move but the pain in his groin shot through him causing him to grunt. " you better lay still. ill get the doc." the deputy stood up from the chair he had been sitting in. " just lay still." he went out the door. the doctor returned a few minuts later. he threw the covers back from bills form , bill llooked down and saw his lower body wrapped in a bandage. " how bad doc" he mumbled. "bad enough but if you dont wrestle around you will be ok in a couple of weeks. but you move around even in bed you will tear these stitches. that bullet tore a big gash in your lower body. i had a hard time stopping the bleeding. right now this looks good. just do as i say." the doctor pulled the covers back up over bill. you can have solid food just dont try to sit up. " the doctor took his bag and started out the door. he passed the deputy in the door way. the depity came in and sat down in the cornewr and smilled at bill. " when i got shot i remember other shots, what happened " bill asked. " a lot. the shooter was going to finish you , but harvey was comming up the street when you got shot.he took the shooter out. that kid is fast with that gun. the shooter had a hand bill from that bank thats been trying to get you. harvey took the hand bill and wired the bank that he had killed you." the deputy chuckled. " the banker there wired me for conformation. i told him harvey had killed you. harvy collected the reward money. then i wire the marshal back there. killing for hire is still illegal. the banker is in the hoosgow. bottom line bill jeffries is dead. your now william jeff. the marshall back there is trying to round up and call in the hand bills. . the kearneys are looking after your out fit. so all you gotta do is lay there and get well." " well at least harvey will be able to hang on to his outfit with the reward money i ned to thank him. he s a good kid. whenn you see him send him by." bill was looking at the ceiling." all i wanted was a quiet life. the gambling deal wasnt good except i got lucky once. but it cost a lot of people their lives. ime glad its over." bill whispered as he drifted off to sleep.