Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1917-03-15


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 1t pony. He stopped.
This wiry, sleek-looking roam, con-
tentedly munching at the moment some
company hay, was Nan Morgan's.
whats that horse doing here?" de-
manded De Spain coldly.
Before answering. the barn boss
eyed De Spain very carefully TO see
how the wind was setting. for the
pony's presence confessed an infrac-
ton Of very particular rule. You
see," he began, cooking at his strict
boss from below his visorless cap a
questioning Scotch eye, II like to keep
on good terms with that Morgan gang.
Some of them can be very ugly. That
little pony is Nan Morgan's."
whats her horse doing here?"
asked De Spain.
McAlpin made even the most incon-
sequential approaches to statement
with a keen and questioning glance.
1.-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. 1.-THE girls been sick"
"Slck?"
'She amt really fit to ride step,'
confided the Scotch boss with growing
confidence. But she's been going VI
two or three times now to get some
medicine from Doc Torpy-that's the
way of 1t. There's a nice girl, sir
In bunch O. ruffians, know-thougf
old Duke, she lives with, he amt 8
half-bad man except for too many
cards. 1 used to work for him-bui
call her a nice girl. Do you happier
to know herr"
De Spain had long been on guard
"I've spoken with her in a business
way once or twice. 1 can't really say
1 know her. Anything sick. limp
asked De Spain, walking on down the
barn and looking at the horses. 1t was
only the second time since he hac
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 a sore hoof il
either alley, Mr.. De Spain. l try tc
take care of them, SIR"
What are we paying you, Jim?"
"Twenty-seven a week, sir; pretty
heavy work at that"
well try to make 1t thirty-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
tndifferently had been the matter with
Nan Morganw 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
1t was a 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, you
are doing the right thing In showing
some goodwill toward the Morgans."
Nov, I'm glad you think that, sir"
you know l Internationally rubbed
their backs the wrong way in dragging
Sassoon out"
They're Jealous of their power, L
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 speakers
face. However, the astute boss, If he
NOhutich ilttut HO COluluell. w men
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 10 the
gap myself"
1.-THE very thing" exclaimed Meal
pin, staring and struggling with his
breath.
I'm some way I've happened, both
times | talked with her, to get in
wrong McAlpin, with
clearing wits, nodded more than once.
mo fault of mine; 1t just happened
so. And she may not at first take
kindly to the idea of going with me-"
81 see."
but she ought to do 1t. She will
be tired-it's a long, dusty ride for
well woman, let alone one that has