The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-09-03

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!"
II mark you perfectly. l did not set
foot willingly on your ranch to-day. 1
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?"
The first man that cuts our wires
or orders them cut where they 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 if you do"
Lance Dunning turned in passion.
'1'll 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!"
ut is when my cousin is in danger
of forgetting he is gentleman"
You are interfering with what you
know nothing about" exclaimed
Lance. angrily.
II know what is due to every one
under this roof
will you be good enough to leave
this room?'
mot 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, We
hemently.
Nothing could justify your Ian
guage."
DO you think l am going to allow
this railroad company to ruin this
ranch while I am responsible here?
You have no business interfering,
say!"
Il think have"
These matters are not of your af-
fart"
Not of my AFFAIR."" The listeners
stood riveted. McCloud felt himself
swallowing, and took step forward
with an effort as Dicksie advanced.
Her hair loosened by her ride, spread
low upon her head She stood in her
saddle habit, with her quirt still in
hand. ANY affair that. may lead my
cousin into shooting is my affair." l
make it mine. This is my fathers
roof. 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 into
anything that may cost him his life
or ruin it," She turned suddenly, and
her eyes fell OH McCloud II am not
willing to leave either myself or my
cousin in false position. l 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.
Il 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. l certainly shall not precipitate
any. Suppose you give me chance
to ride over the ground with you again
and let us see whether we can't ar
rive at some conclusion?"
~