Gilpin observer., 1909-07-15
CHAPTER xl.-Continued.


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"
Not 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 go over to
the Wickiup. l leave first-that's un-
derstood. / hope-and II 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 l remember. Well, good
night. Murray"
1t was after IL o'clock and the room
had filled up. Roulette balls were
dropping, and above the faro table the
extra lights were on. The dealers,
fresh from supper, were 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."
said Smith. drawing down a window
shade before he seated himself to de-
tail his talk with Sinclair. HE wants
a fight"
McCloud put down his pen. IF l
am the disturber 1t would be better for
me to get out"
THAT would be hauling down the
flag across the whole division. 1t is
too late for that. II he didn't center
the fight on you he would center 1t
somewhere else. The whole question
is, who Is going to run this division.
Sinclair and his gang or the COM
pany? and 1t Is as easy to meet them
on one point as another. l know of
no way Of making this kind Of an af-
fair pleasant. l am going to do some
riding, as l told you. Kennedy is
working up through the Deep Creek
country, and has three men with him.
shall ride toward the Cache and meet
him somewhere near South Mission
pass"
Gordon. would 1t do any good to
ask a few questions?"
ASK as many as you like, my dear
boy, but don't be disappointed II /
can't answer them. / can look wise,
but don't know anything. You know
what we are up against. This fellow
has grown a tiger among the wolves.
and he 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 coupling-pin If you do
McCloud raised his hand. Take
care Of yourself! II you are murdered
in this fight shall know l got you in
and that l 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
impression he has left on me is that
OF quiet and gentleness. Suppose
you were?" He was resting one arm
on top of McClouds desk. What of
It? You have done for me up here
what l couldn't do. George. You have
been kind to Marion when she hadn't
a friend near. You have stood be.
tween him and her when / couldn I
be here to do 1t, and when she didn't
want me to-helped her when hadn't
the privilege of doing It," McCloud
put t'up his hand In protest, but 1t was
unheeded. How many times 1t 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 I have
stayed away" He threw himself back
into the chair. IT'S going beyond
both OF us now. I've kept the promise
made to her to-day to do all in my
power to settle this thing without
bloodshed. It will not be settled in
that way. George"
"Waa he ct Sugar Buttesr