Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-11-14
WHO con it bc9n she asked.


girl, and a certain conceited desire TO
appear chivalrous, which had earned
him the title of lady killer among
his associates, made him involuntarily
spruce. He smiled ingratiatingly and
prepared to launch into fiowery speech
when-he met Dallas grave, steady
eyes and suddenly found himself at a
loss for words.
How d. do, miss?" he said at last
How d. v do?' she returned In
spite of herself her voice trembled.
That did not escape Matthews. He
shamed his momentary embarrass-
ment and resolutely grappled the mat
ter that had brought him. Il want t.
see your old man." he said. It was a
demand.
dad can't see you today" she an
swered with ready caution. She
thought it best to keep from him, who
ever he was, the knowledge of her ia
theirs absence.
"Huhr' calculated Matthews in an
ugly tone. He came few PAGES near
er. II got t. see him, JUS tn same
But you can't"
"Ain't he t. home?"
Marylyn pressed close to her sister.
TELL him yes" she begged nervously.
Dallas hesitated. Then she answer
ed: Hes not home. VIII you please
come again--some other time?"
The gambler chuckled. my dear
young lady," he said, his tone the ex-
treme Of insolence, 81 can't come no
other time. TIL business l got t. do
has got t. be done t'day. I might as
we'll tell you that my names Matthews
Nick Matthews. This claim you're
on is mine, an 1 mean t. have it.
What's more, mean t. have it t'day."
"Ahw Dallas was thinking fast. AT
they were in danger, was Marylyn,
elinging in pltiful terror.
"Yes," added Matthews, as if that
clinched the matter.
Dallas looked at him without speak
| ing.
81 JUS come from Dodge City," he
| went on. MY intention is t. live ON
my land all winter. I'm very sorry"
this ironically-"your old man took
=
inquired about tn claim before he
done that. But longs it's all one with
my plans fer improvin' I don't se,'s
ought t. kick" He chuckled again and
spat.
Il know and so does dad" said Dali
las, that man filed upon this quarter
section in July. We didn't find it out,
| lonr offar x,a h1iIf +h;c
house. We know his six months is al
most up too. But if you're him, and
even If you've got back only a few
hours before it's up, Pm willing, and
/ think dad II be, for you to have the
claim. But you must pay for what
we've done on it."
81 never asst y t. do anything ON it."
That's So But the law says
"Aw, tn law be ID! I don't
pay a cent?
/ Then know dad won't leave
"Oh, you dor
YES" very quietly.
"Well, let me tell y, my dear, that
you're dead wrong. You're goin' t git
your buds an'tgrub t'gether right now.
In half a. hour you leave this cabinv'
i AT this Marylyn began to sob.
Come, get a move on!' ordered
Matthews threateningly. He knew that
if he wished to regain the land there
would be no time better than the
present. He began to walk up and
down, fiinging his arms about to start
the circulation.
/ Dallas turned to comfort Marylyn,
putting an arm about her protectingly.
"Hushr' she said. keep quiet, hon
j eyv'
1 "Oh, let's go, let's gov walled the
| younger girl.
/ Matthews came forward again and
took out his watch, large open faced
timepiece hung to a braided buckskin
chain. Now, look a-here," he said
j peremptorily, 81 don't want no more