The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-10-14

She Cut Him Across tho Face With
Her CURT.
And as Saunders laughed she cut him
across the face with her quirt-
His face. streaked with the red welt
OF the rawhide, grew white as he con-
trolled his anger. He leaped at her
and had his hands on her when she
struck him again with all her strength.
He staggered back. his hand 10 his
eyes.
crash. and he was beneath the plung
ing feet OF the Yuma colt. The pony
flashed past, her head Jerking up.
Louise saw Collie leap to the ground
and come running back.
Saunders, rolling to his side, reach
ed for his holster. when he saw that
In Collle's hand which precluded fur.
ther argument
"Don't get upF' said Collie quietly,
81 never killed n man. but I'm going 10,
quick. If you lift a finger"
Saunders kept still Collie stepped
round behind him. Now. get up,
SLOW" he commanded.
When Saunders was on his feet Col.
lie reached forward and secured his
gun.
"I'll send your check 10 the store"
said Louise, addressing Saunders. 81
shall tell Mr.. Stone that discharged
you. ! don't believe l had better tell
the men about this.
"Beat It Saunders" said Collie, laugh.
ing. You are leaving here afoot,
which suits me line. Red would be
plumb happy TO know It."
REDS goin' to walk into my lead
some of these days"
That's some day This is today"
said Collie.
Saunders. turning, gazed GENEROUSLY
at the pinto Rally. Collie saw and
smiled. II missed twice. The third
trick Ia goin TO be mine. Don't you
forget that. Mr.. Kid" said Saunders.
ooh, you here YETI said Collie, and
he was not n little gratiied 70 notice
that Saunders lmped as he struck Off
down the trail
Louise drew of her gauntlets and
tossed them on the rock. Collie saw
the print or Saunders fingers ON her
wrist and forearm. Il ought TO "a
made him kneel down and ask you TO
let him liye!' he said.
81 was afraid-at first. Then was
just angry. IL was sickening to see the
marks grow red and swell on his face
l hit him as hard as / could. but I'm
not sorry"
"Sorry7" growled Collie. "He takes
your brand with him. lie didn't get
the letter l got to thank you a whole
lot for that"
but how did he know had it,
What did he want with the letter.
"Te saw me give It to you. He's one
OF the bunch, the MoJave bunch that's
been trailing Red all over the country.
When Red disappeared up In those des-
ert hills, | reckon Saunders must have
got hold OF paper and read about the
getaway here at the Moonstone. He
Just naturally came over here and got a
Job TO see II he couldn't trace Red"
"You are thinking OF joining Mr.
Summers at the claim7"
Eyes. The eastern folks are gone
now. / hate TO go. But | got 10 get
busy and make some money. A fellow
hasn't much OF show without money
these days"
Louise was silent She sat gazing
across the valley.
Collie approached her hesitatingly
II just got to say it-after all that's
happened. Seems that could. now"
Louise paled and flushed. "oh Col.
lie." she cried entre0tingly. "We have
been such good friends. Please don't
spoil IL allr'
II know I am a fool" he said, "or !
was geing to be. But please TO take
Boyar and go. I'll bring Rally. was
wrong to think you would listen a liz.
tie"
But Louise remained sitting upon the
rock as though she had not heard him.
Slowly he stepped toward her, bis
spurs jingllng unsteady. lie caught NJ
one OF her gloves and turned II over
and over IN his fingers with kind OF
clumsy reverence. "Its mighty little
(To be Continued)