The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-28

wheedles you into thinking he's
looking after your interests. I'll
bet you never got an injunction,
she hazarded, leaning toward him
with her eyes sparkling as the
subject absorbed all her thoughts.
'I'll bet anything he kept you
fiddling around until those fell
lows all filed on their claims. And
now it's got to go till the case Is
finally settled in court, because
they are technically within their
rights in making lawful improve
ments on their claims"
Yes, they've all filed--twenty
acres apiece-the best part OF
the ranch. There's forty runs
up over the bluff; the lower line
takes in the house and barn and
down into the garden where the
man they call Stanley run his line
through the strawberry patch.
That forty's mine yet. It's part
uh the homestead" Peaceful
spoke slowly, and there was a
note of encouragement in his
voice which it hurt Miss George
to hear.
well, they've got to prove that
those claims of theirs are lawful,
you know. And il you've got your
patent for the homestead-you
have got a patent, haven't your"
Something in his face made her
fling in the question.
"Y-es-or | thought had one"
he answered dryly. 1T seems
now there's a flaw In 1t, and it's
got to go back to Washington
and be rectified. 1t amt legal till
that's been done"
who found that mistaken"
she demanded. "Baumberger?"
Yes, Baumberger."
They talked awhile longer. and
then Peaceful went in search of
Baumberger and together they
drove away in the direction of the
Hart ranch.
The cloud of dust raised by
their horses feet had scarcely
lifted when Miss George was con-
fronted by three callers, Hagar,
Whey and Lucy. Unsuccessful at
making trouble at the ranch, the
old squaw now came with her
story to the next person it was
likely to annoy the most. But
here, too, she got little satisfac-
ton. Miss George listened quiet
ly until her tale was finished,
then she locked the station, re-
CARELESS of consequences, Dor
rowed a horse of Pete and gal
loped off toward the Hart ranch.
Baumberger climbed heavily
out of the rig, and went lurching
drunkenly up the path to the
house. He had not gone ten
steps from the stable when he met
Good Indian.
"Hullo," he growled, stopping
short and eying him malevolent-
ly with lowered head.
Good Indians lips curled ST.
lently, and he stepped aside to
pursue his way. Baumberger
swung his huge body toward him.
81 said hullo. Nothin' wrong
in that, is there? Hullo-d'yah
hear?"
Good Indian stopped, and
faced him, coldly angry. 81
think" he said meaningly, 81
wouldn't press the point if | were
YOU"
Giving me advice, hey And
who the devil are you?"
81 wouldn't ask, if | were you
But il you really want to know,
I'm the fellow you hired Saund-
ers to shoot. You blundered that
time. You should have picked a
better man, Mr.. Baumberger."
Baumberger glared at him,
and then lunged, his eyes like an
animal gone mad.
'I'll make a better job, them"
he beloved. Saunders was a
fool. / told him to get down next
the trail and make a good job of
it. told him to kill you, you
lying renegade Injun-and if he
couldn't. | can! You will watch
me, hey?"
Good Indian backed from him
in sheer amazement. Epithets
unprintable poured in stream
from the loose, evil lips. Baum
berger was a raving beast of a
man. He beloved forth threats
against Good Indian and the
Harris, young and old, and vaunt-
ed rashly the things he meant to
do.
Heat-mad and drink-mad he
was, and it was as If the dam Of
his willy amiability had broken
and let loose the whole vile reser-
voir of his pirate mind. He tried
to strike Good Indian down where
he stood, and when his blows
were parted he pulled a gun, and
fired without really taking aim.
Another gun spoke then, and
Baumberger collapsed in the sand,
quivering heap. Good Indian
stood and looked down at him
fixedly while the smoke floated
away from the muzzle of his own
gun. He heard Evadna scream
ing Historically at the gate, and
looked over there inquiringly.
Phoebe was running toward him,
and the boys-Wally and Gene
and Jack. At the corner of the
stable Miss George was sliding
from her saddle, her riding whip
clenched tightly in her hand as
she hurried to him. Peaceful
stood beside the team, with the
lines still in his hand.
1t was Miss Georges words
which reached him clearly.
"You just had to do it, Grant.
saw the whole thing. You had
to-"
ooh. Grant-Grant! What have
you done? What have you done?"
That was Phoebe Hart.
"D'you kill him." Gene shout
ed excitedly, as he ran up to the
spot.
yes" Good Indian .ylanced