Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-14


from the nearest point on the river
and back upon themselves toward the
same point.
"W'atd All tell y'T' demanded the
section boss almost triumphantly. His
voice Quavered. however, and he guip
ed. Its tibet scalawag, an he wanted
us t know it. Amt ev'ry Injun in fifty
mile shet up tight in yOn corral?
Ev'ry one 'cept Charley, an this amt
the job o. tibet blamed fool No, Stree!
An, then, tn mules didn' make no row
las night. They'd shore snorted If 1t
was Injuns'-
Il guess that's So" agreed Dallas
hastily and made him a warning sign.
Marylyn was moving about inside and
calling.
But he was beyond thought for an
other "Bosh. bosh." he cried. shes
got t stop bein' coddled an know
watts wat. You got t stop talkin'
fort. Ah'm goin' t ketch tibet low
down skunk 'thout no soldiers. An
Ah'l pepper his ugly hide. Ah'll make
him spit blood like a broncho buster.
TIL idee o his havin' tn gallr'' He
rammed the Sharps into its rack and
laughed immoderately
"Oh, par' expostulated Marylyn in
startled whisper and few to Dallas.
Her face, still pink from slumber.
paled little. She laid it against her
sister. Long ago she had seen her IA
Their foused to the same pitch. The
sight had terrified her and hlunted
some earlier and tenderer memories.
You git you clothes on" he ordered
roughly, IAN rustic us some break
faS'"
She retreated, ready for tears.
Dallas walked up to him, gave him
his clutches and put a hand on his
shoulder. Dad she said firmly.
don't take out your mad on Marylyn.
Keep it all for-him." She nodded
south toward Brannon. That's where
it belongs"
Dallas, you plumb DISCUS me-" he
| retorted. "Talkin' soldier when v
know Matthews could buy TIL hull kit
| an Doodle with swig o whiskyr'
lie arraigned the fort with a crutch.
What 90 you think of doing dad?"
"Ah'lI fin out where tibet cuss was
las night - Charley IL help me, y
see
And them"
'Ah'H see thet-thet Oliver knows o.
this, thet he keeps a eye on tibet dog
| goned'-
But it'll be easier just to go straight
| to the captain-not l, but YOU
Yes, do. pa urged Marylyn. "Oh,
| Dallas, what's happened?'
| The elder girl told of the pole and
| the bootmarks, treating them lightly.
| Then she came back to her father, to
| find that her argument of a moment
| before, for all its short cut logic, had
set him utterly against the plan he
had himself proposed. And now he
/ was for no mans help, but for n venge-
lance wreaked with his own gun. Hurl-
irg a final defy toward Shanty Town,
he disappeared behind the partition.
No breakfast was eaten that morn
ing. The section boss was too angry
tc taste Of food, Marylyn was too
frightened and Dallas had no time,
for she was busy with the mules, cur
| Ills NhOlll pultAh- DIAoiN
the wagon. Cant help what you
think about it this time she said
when her father asked her where she
was going 1--we made up my mind
that if you won't say the fort, why
then I'll have to drive to Clark's fol
Mr.. Lounsbury. We don't know fol
sure what that pole meant We must
ask"
Jaw, you amt got smitch o. pride,
he tainted jealousy. Coin t Louns
bury WAL, waal, You think heal
O. him, dom Y? More N You do o
you fatherl Tibet sticks out like sore
finger
NO" she answered simply. 'I'n
putting my pride In my pocket, dad
= I'm going to Mr.. Lounsbury because
care so much for you and for Mary
lyn. And l want to say something
hate to say it-you've almost discour
aged me about Brannon lately. W,
came here to raise stuff to sell owe
there. But l can't see how we cal
sell over there If we won't even speal
to soul. 1t looks as If we're going +
SiNC an tudl iS IL u III VI ny WI
is for nothing"
1t was new thought for the section
boss. And while Dallas disappeare,
behind Betty he pondered it wit
hanging head. She came around 500
to hitch Ben's tugs, when her fathe
looked up shamefacedly. "Ah'll tell y
Dallas" he said by way of compro
mise, ''ef Lounsbury don't came bac
with y -
'He WILL" assured Dallas stoutly.
IVY, We'll go t. tn fort, as 20
say"
! "All right, dad" she replied, givin
his back pat.
He began to hobble up and dowI
You amt scairt t. go?" he vensured Q
last. Amt afeerd O nothin'T'
No, and I'm going on my own hool
remember It's not your fault"
.'Y' KANT think o. no other way
She paused in front of him. "Ca
/ your" she asked.
He could have sworn, but there wa
| Ii. T.. Il