The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-09-25
The Evening Story
A TRUM P HAND

When Nane. newly appointed pay
master on the Bar q ranch. tossed a
thin pay envelope to old Dan Shields
he grinned and made this comment:
Dan. you're out" The statement
signitied that Shields name had been
removed from the list Of the men re-
tanned on the ranch. Nane made his
remark and passed on.
From that moment things began to
happen.
Shields had grown gray on the Bar
for thirty years: and 10 he was dis
charged. He kept his seat by the
clubhouse for a while. overcome with
the shock of what Nane had said.
Redmun. the owner of the ranch. had
told him that in reward for his good
work he could spend the rest of his
days at the ranch. Now he had been
practically told to leave.
The old man sat in dumb misery.
staring at the sand in front Of him.
as he thought. Slowly anger burned
through the calnncss Of his nature.
Jackmore had done it-for some rea-
son or other he had done it. Some
thing VAS wrong and he would sec
gan to shuttle toward the house.
n sSlS SooN " a.
six months stay he had sent out to
the ranch from a northern city this
Jackmore. with full authority to take
charge during his absence. Shields
had not liked him from the start The
old rangers instinct told hisn son,e-
thing was "out" about the man. but
he was the least among the men, SO
he kept silent. Jackmore had prov
ed his nature by gradually laying off
most of Redmun's men and putting
on the pay roll his own friends. and
Shields was sure he saw some scheme
afoot.
Dofing his worn sombrero. the old
man entered the house and went
Jackmore turned as he entered and
the mans lean face hardened.
Well, what do YOU want?" he de-
manded.
II Jest van to ask" z
why you're out. ehc Well. I'll tell
YOU. You're no use around here:
you've had Your day: you're a one
by. and I want live men. That's why"
was the short. sharp answer.
The old man ,%auivered as under a
lash and he shook with anger. Look
here. sir: I am old. but the boss said
Id stay here. I've ridden the range
dIOre YOU was born
You won't any more. I don't want
You around. prying into everything.
shopping like an old woman. It's set
tied. Get OUT"
Shields wrinkled hand itched to-
ward h holster at his thigh. from
which a black. worn butt protruded.
but he held himself in check. Jack
more was d~efenseless. having stripped
his belt off in order to he comfortable
at his desk. Blu the cold fires of TWEEN
ty years were beginning to shoulder.
Dan leaned over. u may he a gone
by. sir. hut l can hold a hand in a
game Yet and I may play trumps::''
he said.
POOH
As Shields left the house a girl rode
up--a girl whose face was brown
with the wind and sun and rosy with
health. Her slight figure showed by
every motion she was at home in the
saddle. She was Redmun's daughter
and had heen left ny him under the
care OF Jackmore and her aunt, who
WIS i'll at that time in the house.
Shields loved the girl: he had seen
her grow from a baby into woman
brave. wholesome woman
hood of the plainswoman.
He tried to hurry by. but she STAYED
him and asked him what was wrong.
He tried to evade the question. but
his old heart was tender and hurt and
he hlurted out his trouble. She lis