The Huttig news., 1909-08-14

that she had been to blame Often did without the slightest reserve and with no reference as to whether Dick sic liked it or not, it had been i'll Dick sie's mind to bring up the subject of the disagreeable scene. hoping that Marion would suggest a way for ma king some kind Of unembarrassing amends. But such opportunities had slipped away unimproved, and here was the new railroad superintendent, whom their bluff neighbor Sinclair never referred to other than as the college guy, being brought apparently as prisoner to the Stone ranch
 Busted with her thoughts. Dicksie rode slowly along the upper trails until a long det9ur brought her around the corfals and in at the back of the house. Throwing her lines to the ground. she alighted and through the back porch door made her way unob- served to her room From the office across the big hall she heard mems voices in dispute. and she slipped into the dining room, where she could hear and might see without being seen. The office was filled with cowboys. Lance Cunning, standing with cigar in his hand ahd one leg thrown over corner of the table. was facing Nc. Cloud. who stood before him with his hand on a chair. Lance was speaking as DiclSsie looked into the room, and in curt tones: My men were acting under my orders"
 You have no right to give such or. ders," McCloud said. distinctly. nor to detain me, nor to obstruct our free passage along the right of way you have agreed to convey to us under our survev.'
 Damn your survey, l never had plat of any such survey l don't recognize any such survey And if your rigbt-of- way men had ever said a word about crossing the creek above the Hume l never would have givei you right of way at all"
 There were never but two lines run below the creek. after you raised objection l ran them both, and both were above the iume."
 Well. you cant put grade there I and some of my eeishbors, are going to dam up that basin and the irriga tion laws will protect our rights.
 T certainly can't put d grade in he low the Hume. and you refuse to talk about our crossing above it.
 T certainly do,''
 eNhy not let na cvoss where W . are. and run new lavel iar vour ditel | that will put the Hume higher upg'
 You will have to cross below the Hume where it stands, or you won cross the ranch al all"
 McC'loud was silent for moment T am using supported grade ther' for eight miles to get over the hi within a three-tenths limit I can drop back there. We might as well not build at all If we can't hold on srade. whereas it would be very sin pie to run a new line for your ditcl and my engineers will do it for yo, without dollar of expense to you MT. Dunning'
 Lance Cunning waved his hand a an ultimatum. Gross where l tel you to cross. or keep off the Stoni ranch Is that English?''
 "It certainly is. But in matter q fact we must. cross on the surves agreed on in the contract .foi 2 right of-way deed''
 T don't recognize any contract oh tained under false representations.
 Do you accuse me of false repre- sentations ?''
 Lance Cunning Tipped the ash iron his cigar. Who are youg"
 "I am just a plain. everyday civi engineer. but you must not talk falst representations in any contract draw, under my hand"
 T am talking facts. Whispering Smith may have rigged the joker don't know. Whoever rigsed it, it has been rigsed all right
 Any charge against Whispering Smith is a charge against me. He is not here to defend himself, but hc