The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-03-09

In HIS stirrupa while he studied the
| bunch.
"Helli" no said. when the inspec'
ton was over. and dropped back
into tho saddle while he gazed I'M
secingly nt the canyon wall. II was
very real hell that his mind saw :
n hell made by men. wherein other
men must dwell In torment
Seabeek's brand was n big V. n
bad brand 10 own. since II fayors
revision at the hands ~ the I'M
scrupulouA. These cattle were Sea
beck cattle. and their brand had
been altered. For the right slant
OF tho V had been extended a little
and curled into G. no that In time
the brand would stand casual In
spection ms Y6 monogram
Wards own brand. The work was
rudc-purposofully crude.
So he sat there and looked over
the fence and saw himself con
yictcd "rustler" They would be
turned loose on the range near his
claim. and they would be found be
fore the ncnbs had haired over.
Ward stared at the altered branda
aud wondered what he had best do.
Aud then quite suddenly. In his des'
peratlon. he decided upon some
thing. They started this game.
he told hmsolf Erimiy. "ani they
needn't squeal n they burn their
own fingers"
Ward was not an adept with a
running IRON" he was honest.
hateyer men might say OF him.
Hut he knew how to tie down an
animal. lie worked fas, no telling
wha, minut. someone might come
and catch him-and he did his work
we'll. far better and heater than had
his predecessors.
when he left tina, corral. he
smiled. Before he had ridden very
far up the bluff. no stopped. looked
down NJ tho Ions suffering cattle
One could read their brands easily
from where he ant on his horse
They we're not bloichcd. they we're
very distinct; Bot they were not
Yes within that corral There werc
other brands which might be made
OF a Ys monogram. by the iudlcious
addition Of a mark here and a mark
there.
Ward knew that Buck Olney
would discover the re branded cat
tic. and that Olney. being no fool.
would realize that whoever had
done the trick Was onto HIS game.
II would be easy TO reason out that
the man mos, interested was the
one who had discovered tho hidden
corral. Knowing hts man. Ward
kept on the lookout for him. but II
was not until n week later that. re.
turning To his cabin one noon. he
came up behind oinsy sitting on
boulder. the cabin door covered
with a gun.
Throw up your hands, Ward
called sharply. when his firs, flare
OF rage had cooled TO steady pur.
pose.
Buck olnsy Jumped a. tho a yel.
iow.jackrt had s,ung him. He
turned a startled face over his
shoulder. Trun,~i an oath. and
lif,ed his hands high IN The quiet
sunlight.
&c, up from there and 70 on
down 10 the shnck--and keep your
hands up" Ward came stili closer
as he spoke.
Buck got up awkwarily and went
stumbling down the steep slope.
with his hands trembling in the
air upon either side Of his head.
Take down your left hand and
open the door"
Buck did 80 and put his hand
up again without being told.
Now RIO IN and stand with your
face 10 the wall" Ward indicated
which wall. lie had choscn the
spot where he could reach easily
a small coil OF rome.
~Dron your hands down behind
YOU" lie spent n busy minute with
IN. rope before he pushed Buck
olney roughly toward a chair.
~ turn you loose. Buck. what
win you do" Ward asked In a
curious tone.
Il, you-Ward. I'll prove I'm
friend 20 yuh in spite OF the idea
you've got that Amt ! never
done nothing"
NO. OF course not" Wards lip
curled
That's right. Ward. and I can
prove Il"
Ward snortcd. You proved II
old.tlmer. when YOU laid up there
behind rock with your sights on
this shack. ready to get me when
came out. sabe now how II
happened Jim Mcclure was found
face down I'm the spring behind his
shack. with bullet hole In his