Gilpin observer., 1909-07-15

Il certainly can't put a grade in be-
low the fiume, and you refuse to talk
about our crossing above it."
Il certainly do"
why not let us cross where we
are, and run new level for your ditch
that will put the fume higher up?"
You will have to cross below the
fume where it stands, or you won't
cross the ranch at ALL"
McCloud was silent for a moment.
Il am using supported grade there
for eight miles to get over the hill
within three-tenths limit. l can't
| drop back there. We might as well
not build at all if we can't hold our
| grade, whereas it would be very sim
pie to run new line for your ditch,
and my engineers will do it for you
without a dollar of expense to you,
Mr. Dunning"
| Lance Dunning waved his hand as
an ultimatum. Gross where / tell
! you to cross, or keep off the Stone
ranch. Is that English?"
1T certainly is. But in matter of
fact we must cross on the survey
agreed on in the contract for a right
of-way deed"
Il don't recognize any contract OBJ
tanned under false representations"
do you accuse me of false repre-
sentations?"
Lance Dunning tipped the ash from
his cigar. who are you?"
| Il am just plain, everyday civil
engineer, but you must not talk false
representations in any contract drawn
under my hand"
Il am talking facts. Whispering
Smith may have rigged the joker-I
don't know. Whoever rigged it, it has
been rigged all right"
ANY charge against Whispering
Smith is charge against me. He is
not here to defend himself. but he
needs no defense. You have charged
me already with misleading surveys.
l was telephonad for this morning to
come over to see why you had held
up our work. and your men cover me
with rifles while l am riding on a
public road"
You have been warned, or your
men have, to keep off this ranch. Your
man Stevens cut our wires this morn
ing"
las he had a perfect right to do on
our right OF way"
IF you think so, stranger, go ahead
again,"
'Oh, no! We won't have civil war
not right away, at least. And If you
and your men have threatened and
browbeaten me enough for to-day, I
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 OF land
you have already deeded?"
The first man 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 IL you do"
Lance Dunning turned in a passion.
''Fll put 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. Yes, damn you, and I'll
put another"
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,"
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"
viii 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.
81 am master here!"
ALSO my cousin" murmured Dick
sic, evenly.
you don't understand this matter
at ALI" declared Lance Dunning, We.
hemently.
Nothing could justify your Ian.
guage."
do you think l am going to allow
this railroad company to ruin this
ranch while l am responsible here