The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1915-07-15

Everything they came In contact with
was gritty. Sand and dust penetrated
everywhere and impregnated every
thing.
This lode amt going to pan out"
Lloyd suddenly declared as he lay
down his fork. what do you say 70
deserving it?"
Macleod merely grunted.
81 never had any luck like others.
1 always was failure" he pursued
plaIntively. what do you sayg
Macleod ate half can of cold toma-
toes before replying. Then. leaning
back in his chair, he gave vent to his
thoughts.
Most failures work hard enough. I'll
admit. but still you can't blame the
stars" he began. The trouble is.
they're cutters"
They sat silent for time. until Mae
Leod got up with groan.
You're always going against me"
he complained. IL never spoke about II
before. but you always are. Hit the
trail whenever you want. but | stay
here"
! You've found signs you amt told
me about! exclaimed Lloyd suspicious
ly. "oh. see your game. ! wondered
why you were so silent lately"
Thus, out OF sheer Querulousness.
arose spirit OF III feeling. and In this
humor they went to bed that night.
With the dawn Macleod arose and
left the shack without word to his
partner. who lay watching him. He
had no other purpose than to get out
side. and once in the open the winds
guided him where they willed.
He was circled out on the desert.
then blown back toward the mountains
and up a wide arroyo. until at last. as
II the elements had guided him there.
he stumbled. with no shock to his
dulled senses, across the gaunt body OF
she wolf.
Kneeling down. he saw that her
throat was laid wide open. and to her
gray name fresh blood still chung In
ruby drops.
After a moments thought he arose
Will lut NulNuSo oh hAo pbNN'NSA $500
started for the shack.
He burst suddenly into the shack to
find Lloyd engaged in whetting a long
bladed claspknife.
This the latter put away as he came
forward to kneel down and examine
the body which Macleod had dumped
upon the floor.
There's some wheIps that didn't get
their breakfast this morning-and
won't" remarked Macleod grimly.
wonder what killed herr asked
Lloyd
ITS evident" said the other, 'her
mate did the killing"
Her mate. By heaven. he must
havew breathed Lloyd. staring at the
blood on his fingers. But why?'
Macleod turned away with n grunt
What made you bring this mess
here2" pursued Lloyd. still looking at
the blood on his fingers.
You're always going against me-"
whined Macleod. II had no knife to
take her scalp. that's why. Lend me
the one you were sharpening 30 fine
just now"
do l get half the bountyT'
Look a-here. BILL" calculated Mac
Leod impatiently. I'VE agreed TO split
even on mining. but there was nothing
said about bountiesr'
Lloyd returned TO his milestone.
Nothing was said about me lend
ing my knife either he retorted. re-
Stunning the sharpening process.
On the next day. which was the sew
enth. they did nothing but quarrel.
Toward evening Macleod accused
Lloyd OF wasting their nearly exhaust
ed water supply. It being the formers
turn to go TO the spring, he took eI-
ception to his partner throwing half
a dipperfui away. and accused him OF
doing 40 with a motive.
Lloyd. heretofore ready with sharp
reply, made no answer. but sat down
on his cot and resumed the whett1ng
OF his knife.
His convictions strengthened by
Lloyd's silence. his nerves unable TO
stand the grinding sound any longer.
Macleod suddenly lost all control OF
himself and called his companion a
vile name.
In fash the milestone fell to the
floor and Lloyd was standing. legs
bent and wide apart. body hunched
forward with cleaning blade atremble
In his hand.
But Macleod did not rise to meet
him. Instead he lay back on his couch
and covered his face with both hands.
Gradually the ire died in Lloyd's
bloodshot eyes. Slowly. with the pal
sled effort OF an old man. he picked up
the milestone 10 resume the sharpen
ing process.
You'll live TO ent that word" said
he quietly and drew the blade across
the stone
In the beginning there was no de-
structive tendency in any living thing,
for To inflict injury is contrary to the
divine impetus called life. Only by
the pressure from without is a nature
warped from its given course.
Came the ninth day. which was to be
the last of the winds
At noon. owing 10 both using 1t with
perverted wnStefulneSS their water