The Tupelo journal., 1909-08-13
WHISPERING SMITH,
Y My RANKHSpEARMAN. < y
&>@N@@ ILLUSTRATIONS By ANpRI BoxlTs

not right away, at least. And II you
and your men have threatened and
browbeaten me enough for to-day, ]
will 60"
Don't set foot on the Stone ranch
again, and don't send any men here
to trespass, mark you!"
Il mark you perfectly. l did not set
foot willingly on your ranch to-day. ]
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 or
land that belongs to us, for they will
certainly come down If you do"
Lance Dunning turned in a passion
"I'Il 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 II
put another!"
Cousin Lancet" Dicksie Dunnins
advanced swiftly into the room. "Yot
are under our W roof, and you are
wrong to talk in that way"
Her cousin stared at her. "Dicksie
this is no place for you!"
1T 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 ONT
under this roof"
Twill you be good enough to leave
this room?"
Not if there is to be any shooting
or threats of shooting that involve my
cousin"
"Dicksie, leave the room!"
There was a hush. The cowboy:
dropped back. Dicksie stood motion
less. She gave no sign in her manne'
! that she heard the words, but sh'
looked very steadily at her cousin.
You forget YOURSELF" was all sh'
said.
81 am master here!"
"Also my cousin" murmured Dick
sic. evenly.
"You. don't understand this matte,
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 THU
ranch while l am responsible here
You have no business interfering
say!"
81 think 1 have"
"These matters are not of your al
fair!"
mot of my AFFAIR."" The listener
stood riveted. McCloud felt himsel
swallowing, and took a step forward
with an effort as Dicksie advanced
Her hair, loosened by her ride, spreat
low upon her head. She stood in he
saddle habit, with her quirt still il
hand. ANY affair that may lead m,
cousin into shooting is my affair.
make it mine. This is my father
roof. I neither know nor care any
thing about what led to this quarrel
but the quarrel is mine now. l will
not allow my cousin to plunge int
anything that may cost him his lif
or ruin it." She turned suddenly, AM
her eyes fell on McCloud. Il am no
willing to leave either myself or m,
cousin in a false position. l regret es
pecially that Mr.. McCloud should b
brought into SO unpleasant a scene
because he has already suffered rude
ness at my own hands"
McCloud flushed. He raised hi
hand slightly.
And l am very sorry for it," adde'
Dicksie, before he could speak. Then
turning, she withdrew from the room
II am sure" said McCloud, slowly
as he spoke again to her cousin
there need be no serious controvers,
over the right-of-way matter, Mr.. Dur
ming. I certainly shall not precipitat
any. Suppose you give me a chanc
to ride over the ground with you agail
and let us see whether we can't al
rive at some conclusion?"