Old Times

As Nate Love placed the flowers on his murdered son’s grave, he thought that he shouldn't have had a son so late in his life. He wondered who it was would shoot that boy in the back over one damn cow? It was the cruelest of fates, he thought, not to know who did it. A dead boy should be able to tell who it was. There ought to at least be that kind of justice in the world. He knew there wasn't, though. He would have to find it for himself. But how could he do it alone? He wasn't what he once was; he was just old bones now....

That was when he went and wrote a letter to Monroe Hawks—"the meanest son of a bitch that ever lived." When they rode for Hanging Judge Parker, they were respected by the godfearing and the godless alike. But that was then....

Now, both are long past their prime. Both know that soon they are going to be facing younger, stronger, faster men.

And both Monroe Hawks and Nate Love know they won't be coming back....

BILL BROOKS

"HAS A KNACK FOR STORYTELLING." —Library Journal