The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-09-03

-HOL TlSlCa away, at least. ana II you
and your men have threatened and
b%rowbeaten me enough for to-day, I
will CO."
Don't set foot on the Stone ranch
again, and don't send any men here
to trespass, mark you!"
II mark you perfectly. I did not set
foot willingly on your ranch to-day. l
was dragged on it. Where the men
are grading now, they will finish their
work"
mo. they won't"
What, would you drive us off land
you have already deeded?"
1.-THE first mar that cuts our wires
or orders them cut where they were
strung yesterday will get into trou-
ble." +
Then don't string any wires on
land that belongs to us, for they will
certainly come down if you do"
Lance Dunning turned in a passion.
"Ill put a bullet through you if you
touch a barb of Stone ranch wire!"
Stormy German jumped forward
with his hand covering the grip of his
six-shooter. Eyes, damn you, and I'll
put a%nother!"
Cousin Lancet" Dicksie Dunning
advanced swiftly into the room. you
are under our own roof, and you are
wrong to talk in that way"
Her cousin stared at her. "Dicksie.
this is no place for you!"
ut is when my cousin is in danger
of forgetting he is a gentleman"
you are interfering with what you
know nothing about" exclaimed
Lance, angrily.
81 know what is due to every one
under this roof"
will you be good enough to leave
this room?"
mot if there is to be any shooting
or threats of shooting that involve my
cousin"
"Dicksie, leave the room!"
There was a hush. The cowboys
dropped back. Dicksie stood motion.
less. She gave no sign in her manner
! that she heard the words, but she
looked very steadily at her cousin.
."You forget y%ourself!" was all she
said.
II am master here!" =
"Also my cousin" murmured Dick
sic, evenly.
you don't understand this matter
at ALL" declared Lance Dunning, We.
hemently.
Nothing could justify your Ian.
guage."
DO you think I am going to allow
this railroad company to ruin this
ranch while 1 am responsible here!
You have no business interfering,
say!"
g" think / have"
"These matters are not of your at
fart" y
mot of my AFFAIR."" The listeners
stood riveted. McCloud felt himself
swallowing, and took a step forward
with an effort as Dicksie advanced
Her hair, loosened by her ride, spread
low upon her head. She stood in hel
saddle habit, with her quirt still in
hand. "Any affair that may lead my
cousin into shooting is my affair.
make 1t mine. This is my fathers
roof I neither know nor care any
thing about what led to this quarrel
but the quarrel is mine now. 1 will
not allow my cousin to plunge int
anything that may cost him his life
OF ruin it." She turned suddenly, an6
her eyes fell on McCloud. II am moi
willing to leave either myself or my
cousin in a false position. 1 regret es
pecially that Mr.. McCloud should be
brought into so unpleasant a scene
because he has already suffered rude
ness at my W hands"
McCloud flushed. He raised his
hand slightly.
And am very sorry for It," added
Dicksie, before he could speak. Then
turning, she withdrew from the room
Il am sure" said McCloud, slowly
as he spoke again to her cousin,
there need be no serious controversy
over the r~ight-of-way matter, MI. Dun
ming. l certainly shall not precipitate
any. Suppose you give me a chance
to ride over the ground with you agair
and let us see whether we can't ar
rive at some ~conclusion?"