Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-10-22
CHAPTER XI.-continued.

well, you KNOW now now 10 get
Into trouble"
Every one knows that; few know
how to keep out"
You can't lay your finger on me at
any turn of the road"
mot II you behave yourself"
And you can't bully me-"
Surely not. No hard feelings. Muir
ray. came for a friendly talk. and
II It's all the same to you I'll watch
this wheel awhile and then 60 over to
the Wickiup. | leave first-that's I'M
derstood, hope-and il your pink
eyed friend is waiting outside tell him
there is nothing doing, will you, Muir
ray? Who Is the albino. by the way?
You don't know him? | think do.
Fort City, II I remember. Well, good
Hight, Murray"
1t was after - o'clock and the room
had filed up. Roulette balls were
dropping, and above the faro table the
extra lights were on. The dealers,
fresh from supper, we're putting things
IN order for the long trick.
At the Wickiup Whispering Smith
found McCloud in the Office signing
letters. Il can do nothing with him, -
OSid Smith, drawing down a window
Ohade before he seated himself to de-
tail his talk with Sinclair He wants
Q Sight"
McCioud put down his pen. IF
IN the disturber Il would be better for
ne to get out"
That would be hauling down the
Gag across the whole division. 1t is
toe late for that. II he didn't center
The eight on you he would center it
somewhere else. The whole question
b, Who is going to run this division,
Sinclair and his gang or the COM
Dany? and 1t is as easy to meet them
On one point as another. | know of
20 way Of making this kind of an af-
fAIr pleasant l am going 10 do some
riding. Is told you. Kennedy is
working up through the Deep Creek
country, and has three men with him.
D Shall ride toward the Cache and meet
him somewhere near South Mission
pass"
Gordon. would 1t do any good to
ask q few questions?"
ASK as many as you like, my dear
boy. but don't be disappointed IL
can't answer them. can look wise,
but don't know anything. You know
what We are up against. This fellow
has grown q tiger among the wolves,
and hO has turned the pack loose On
Us. One thing l ask you to do. Don't
expose yourself at night. Your life
ISN'T worth eoupling.pin II you d."
AcCloud raised his hand. Take
care Of yourself! II you are murdered
n this Eight l shall know got you in
and that am to blame"
"And suppose you were?" Smith had
risen from his chair. He had few man.
. neriSmS, and recalling the man the
few times | have seen him, the only
suppression he has left on me Is that
Of quiet and genueness. Suppose
you were" He was resting one arm
On top Of McCloud's desk. What Of
II? You have done for me up here
what couldn't do, George. You have
been kind to Marion when she hadn't
/ friend near. You have stood be.
tween him and her when couldn't
be here to do it. and when she didn't
want me to-helped her when hadn't
the privilege Of doing It." McCloud
put up his hand In protest. but It was
pnhseded. How many times It has
been In my heart to kill that man. She
knows It; she prayS It may never hap.
pen. That is why she stays here and
has kept me out Of the mountains
She says they would talk about her II
] lived In the same town. and l have
stayed away" He threw himself back
into the chair. TITS going beyond
beth Of rs now. I've kept the promise
3 made to her to-day to do all in my
power to settle this thing without
bloOdshed. II will Dot be settled In
that way. George"
WAS he at Sugar ButtesT
9 IT not, his gang was there. The
quick getaway. the short turn on Van