The evening world., 1912-12-07
The Coming of the Law
~THE TWO-CUN MANS" Greatest Novei
By Charles Alden Seltzer

or he would try to arrange with Hollis
FOR her to stay at the Circle Bar.
There she would have Mrs. Norton
for companion, and she might ride
each dav to n. cabin. lie was certain
that Hollis would arrange 70 nave his
men care for the cattle. lie assured
her that he would settle that question
with Hollis when the latter passed the
cabin thst night ON his return to TIE
Circle bar. or course Hollis would iase
the Coyote trail tonight. he insinuatei.
grlnning hugely Mt the bushes that
reached her face.
But Hollis did not pass the cabin tina,
night. He had taken the Dry Bottom
trail on his return TO the Circle Bar
lie had accomplished very little that
day on account OF the hcat--and a
certain vision that had troubled him
taking his mind or his work and pro-
Jectlng 1t TO a little cabin In a small
basin. to porch where sat a girl-th.
elrl OF his vision. She had voluntarily
kissed him. Had u been all on account
OF gratitude? or course-though--
Well. memory of the kiss stil fingered
and I've was willing to forgive her the
slight lapse OF modesty because he had
been the recipient.
There had been one interesting de-
velopfnent In Dry Bottom during .he
DAY. All day the town had swarmsd
with ranch owners who had come In 10
the court house 10 list their cattle for
taxation and register their brand.
shortly after noon Ben Allen had
dropped Into the Kicker Once with the
news that every owner In the county
with the exception of Dunlavey had
responded to the laws demands.
To Hollls's inquiry regarding the
course TO he pursued IN forcing Dun
lave, 10 comply with the law. Allen re.
marked with smile that there was
plenty Of time" He mad had much ex-
perience with men of the Dunleavy type
Potter and Hollis exchanged a few
words during the ride to the Circle
Bar The heat--thc eternal. scorchirs.
blightlng hest--stlll continued; the
dust had become an almost undesirable
Irritation. During the trip to the
ranch the two men came upon an
arroyo over which Hollis had passed
'nany times. At a water hole where
he had often watered his horse they
came upon several dead steers stretched
prone In the green slime.
The water had disappeared: the
spring that had provided II had dried
and there was nothing 10 tell OF Il ex-
cept small stretch ot damp earth
baking In the sun. The steers were
gsunt. lsnky creatures. their hides
stretched tight as drum heads over
their ribs. their tongues lolling out.
black and swollen. telling mutely OF
their long search for water and their
suffering Coyotes had been at work
on them: here lay q heap OF bare
homes there II skull glistened In the
white sunlight.
A Few miles farther on they came upon
one OF the punohsrs from the Circle Y
With q calf thrown over the saddle In
front Of him. lie was diving several
gsunt. dropping cattle toward the RAJ.
Bit The calf beloved piteously At
sight or Hollis and Potter. The punch.r
hailed them.
your" he said when the latter had
spurred his pony cloee to him. At
liolllss nod he grlnned ironically.
"Hot!' he said. coming quickly 20 ne
universal topic OF conversation: ~
reckon this wouldn't he called hot IN
some places-.n he'll. for Instance. Say"
he said he saw Bolh's iips
straighten. tomorrow the ten days s
up. Mebbc i'm he hotter then. The
damned skunk
or course he referred to Dunlavey--
the latter's threat to drive all foreign
cattle from the Rahblt-EAr had been
carried FAR ana Wide by rlders-the whole
country knew Of a.. There had been
much condemnation and some specula-
ton, but there was notlinx to be done
untf after dhe tenth day. Even then
much depended upon Iiollls's attitude.
Would he make war upon Dunlavey IN
defense % the men who had refused AID
80 his father In time OF need
Hollis was s,ill of the opinion that
Dunavey would not attempt to carry
out his threat. lie smiled at the male
violent expression ia the puncher's eyes.
Somehow" he said quietly, 81 have
always been abe 10 distinguish between
empty boast and determination. Dun
isvey has done some foolish things. no
doubt, and II doing a foolish thing In
defying the law. but | don't anticipate
a. to further antsgonlzs the sma.
owners"
The plncher sat erect and lauri,sd
harshly. You don'tf" ne inquired in
an oyer-gentle. polite voice. "Mister
Hollis" he added. as the latter looked
quickly at him. you Amt heard moth
I'm from the Circle Bar to-day. l reek-
op?"
Honl-'s answer was lucrative. The
Circle Y mans face grew suddenly se-
rous. You slntc Well. then, that's
the reason you're taikin 10. The last
heard from the Circle Bar was that
Norton an some OF your men had cap
tured one OF Dunlavey's men-t;ressy
---rebrandin' some Circle Bar steers an
was gettin ready 10 strink him M.
reckon mebbe you'd call that doin'
somethin'I
Hollis strait htened. He had suddenly
fargoiteu the heat. the dust aad the
problem Of water