Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-04-19

7oL lay OFF, 7Ot Hlde.
Spain nodded affirInatively as he dis
mounted. Hot ride, sir; a hot day"
commented McAIpin as he called a
man to take the horse, unstrapped De
SPANS coat from the saddle, and fol
lowed the manager into the office.
The heat was oppressive and De
Spain unbuckled his cartridge belt,
slipped his revolver from the holster,
mechanically stuck it inside his trOu
sers Waistband, hung the heavy belt
up under his coat, and, sitting down,
called for the stage report and asked
whether the new blacksmith had So
bered up. When McAlpin had given
him all minor information called for,
De Spain walked with him out into the
barn to inspect the horses. Passing
the very last of the box-stalls, the
manager saw in it pony. He stopped.
This wiry, sleek-looking roam, con
tentedly munching at the moment some
company hay, was Nan Morgan's.
''V'jiat's that horse doing here?" de
manded De Spain coldly.
lHfOre answering, the barn boss
eye De Spain very carefully to see
how the wind was setting, for the
pony's presence confessed an infrac-
ton Of a very particular rule. you
see," he began, cooking at his strict
boss from below his yisOrless cap q
questioning Scotch eye, 81 like to keep
on good terms with that Morgan gang.
Some of them can be very ugly. That
little pony is Nan Morgan's."
"What's her horse doing here?"
asked De Spain.
McAlpin made even the most incOn-
sequential approaches to a statement
with a keen and questioning glance.
"The girl went up to the Cat on the
early stage, sir. She's coming back
this afternoon
what is she riding away over here
to Calabasas for to take the stage, in
stead of riding straight into Sleepy
Cat?
Once more McAlpin eyed him care
fully. "The girls been sick"
"Sick?"
"She amt really fit to ride a STEP"
cOnfded the Scotch boss with growing
confidence. But she's been going up
two or three times now to get some
medicine from Doe Torpy-that's the
way of it. There's q nice girl, sir
in a bunch o. ruffians I knOw-though
old Duke, she lives with, he amt a
half-bad man except for too many
cards. I used to work for him-but
I call her a nice girl. Do you happen
to know herr"
De Spain had long been on guard.
give spoken with her in a business
way once or twice. I can't really say
l know her. Anything sick, Jim?"
asked De Spain, walking on down the
barn and looking at the horses. II was
only the second time since he had
given him the job that De Spain had
called the barn boss "Jim," and Nc
Alpin answered with the rising assur-
ance of one who realizes he is ''in''
right. ''Not so much as q sore hOOf in
either alley, Mr.. De Spain. I try to
take care Of them, sir
"What are we paying you, Jim?"
''TWenty-seyen a week, sir; pretty
heavy work at that"
''Well try to make it thlrty-two after
this week"
McAlpin touched his cap. "Thank
you kindly, sir, I'm sure. It comes
high to live out here Mr.. de Spain"
''What did you say" asked De Spain
ind bo ~,
Nan Morgan? Her name seemed a
whole mouthful to speak, so fearful
was he of betraying interest
'.Why, I really didn't say, sir. And
| don't know. But from what she says,
and the way she coughs, I'm thinking
it was touch of this p-new-monia
that's going around so much lately,
sir"
His listener had already made all
arrangements to meet the occasion now
presenting itself. Circumstances
seemed at last to favor him. and he
looked at his watch. The down stage
bringing Nan back would be due in
less than an hour.
Jim he said thoughtfully, 'ycu
are doing the right thing in showing
some goodwill toward the MOrganS."
"Now, I'm glad you think that, sir
you know | unintentionally rubbed
their backs the wrong way in dragging
| SassOon out"
They're jealous Of their power,
know-very jealous"
This seems the chance to show that
have no real animosity myself toward
| the outfit"
Since De Spain was not looking at
| him, McAlpin cooked two keen and
curious eyes on the sphinxlike birth
mark of the very amiable speaker
| face. However, the astute boss, if he
wondered, made no comment. when
the stage comes in," continued De
Spain quietly, "have the two grays-
Lady and Ben-hitched to my own
light wagon. I'll drive her over to the
gap myself"