Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-08-05


needs no defense. You have charged
me already with misleading surveys.
| was telephoned for tbs morning to
come over to see why you had held
UP our work. and your men cover me
with rifles while I an riding on a
public road"
"Iou have been warned. or your
men have. to keep OF. this ranch. Your
man Stevens cut our wires this morn
ing -
AS he had a perfect right to do on
our right Of way"
IF you think so, stranger, 60 ahead
again.
oh, no. We won't have civil war
not right away. a. least. And II you
and your ms. have threatened and
browbeatcn me enough for to-day.
will go"
Don't set foot on the Stone ranch
again, and don't send any men here
to trespass. mark you.'
Il mark YOU perfectly. I 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 OF land
you have already decided"
The frs: man that cuts our wires
or orders them cut where the- were
strung yesterday will get into trou.
BILE "
Then don't string any wires on
land that belongs to us, for they will
certainly come down II you do"
Lance Dunring turned in a passion.
"I'll put bullet through you II you
touch barb Of Stone ranch wire!"
Stormy German jumped forward
with his hand covering the grip OF his
six-shooter. Yes, damn you. and I'll
put another!"
Cousin LANCE" Dicksie Duaning
advanced swiftly into the room. You
are under our own roof, and you are
wrong 10 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.
Il know what Is due to every one
under this roof"
will 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 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 YOURSELF" was all she
said.
Il am master here!"
Also my cousin" murmured Dick.
sic, evenly.
You don't understand this matter
at ALL" declared Lance Dunning, ve-
hemently.
Nothing could justify your Ian.
guage."
do YOU think nm going to allow
this railroad company TO ruin this
ranch while l am responsible here?
You have nc business interfering,
Eay!"
Il think have"
These matters are not of your at.
fair"
Not Of my AFFAIR." The listeners
stood riveted, McCloud felt himself
swallowing, and took a step forward
with an effort as Dicksie advanced.
Her hair, looscned by her ride, spread
low upon her head. She stood in her
saddle habit. with her quirt still In
land. Amy affair that may lead my
cousin into shooting 10 my affair.
make II mine. This Is my fathers
roof. | neither know nor care any
thing about what led to this quarrel.
but the quarrel is mine now. will
not allow my cousin to plunge into
anything that may cost him his life
or ruin It," She turned suddenly. and
her eyes fell on McCloud. Il am not
willing to leave either myself or my
cousin in q false position. | regret es'
pecially that Mr.. McCloud should be
brought into so unpleasant a scene.
because he has already suffered rude
ness at my own 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.
II am sure" said McCloud, slowly.
as he spoke again to her cousin,
there need be no serious controversy
over the right-of-way matter, Mr.. Dun
ming. certain!y shall not precipitate
any. Suppose you give me chance
to ride over the ground with you again
and let us SEQ whether we can't ar
rive at some concluslon?"
But Lance WAS angry, and nursed
hiB wrath a long lime,