The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1917-01-26

433 IN
mists hung splsndidly 10 the fsdess
and the sunset naned at his hack.
Juanita never knew what details a
the incident came 70 Old Miltis earu.
but when next tho head Of the house
passed her on the road he spoke with
. diminished cordially. and when ahs
stopped him he commented: II hear
ye're a-runnin' . Havey school over
thar now. Little Nit tells me ~
warned him offen yore place"
She tried to explain. and though -
pretended to accept all she said In
good humor. she knew in her heart
she had made . powerful and bitter
enemy.
One afternoon Anse Havey. wander
ing through the timber on his own
side Of the ridge. came upon q lone
hunter. and when he drew near 1t
proved to be young Milt McBriar.
"Mornin'. Milt." said Havey. Il didn't
know ye ever went huntin' over here"
The boy, who in feud etiquette was q
trespasser. met the scrutiny with .
level glance.
Il was a-gunnin' for boomers" he
said. using the local phrase for red
squirrels of the hills. Il reckon
haint hardly got no license ter 60 gun
MIN on yore land"
Anse Havey sat down on . log and
looked up at the boy steadily. At last
he said gravely:
Hunt as much as ye like. Milt, only
be heedful not to start no fires"
Mflt nodded and turned to 60, but
the older man called him back.
Il want to have q word with ye,
Milt." he said soberly. II amt never
heard that neither the McBriars nor
the Haveys countenanced settin' nre
to dwellin-houses. have your"
Il don't know what We MEANS" re-
sponded the boy. and the gaze that
passed between them was that of two
men who can look direct into any eye.
Il lowed 1t would astonish ye." went
on Anse. Back of the new school
house that's still full of shavin's an
loose timber there's q little stretch OF
dry woods that comes right down to
the back door. Somebody has done
laid q trail of shavin's an leaves in
the brush there an soaked EN- with
coal-oil. Some Teller aims to burn
down that schoolhouse tonight"
Did We tell Miss Holland" demand
cd Milt in a voice OF deep anxiety.
No, l amt named 1t to her." Bad
Anse said with seeming Indifference
in his face. at which the lads blood
boiled.
Does ye aim ter set hyar an let her
place git burnt up?" he snapped out
wrathfuily. Because II ye does,
don't"
Anse Havey laughed.
well. no." he replied; II didn't aim
to do that"
Suddenly he rose
What l did aim to do. Milt, was
this: i aimed to go down there tonight
with enough fellers to handle either
the fire or whoever starts 1t. l aimed
to see who was dom trick like that.
VIII you go with met"
"Me?" echoed Milt in establishment.
This idea of the two factions acting in
consort was decided innovation. 1t
might be a trap. Suddenly the boy de-
manded: why don't We ask pap?"
Il don't ask your pap nothing" In
Havey's reply was a quick and trucu-
lent snap that rarely came into his
voice. I'm askin' you, an you can
take my proposition or leave it. That
house-burner Is goin' to die. II he's one
of my people want to know 1t. II he's
one Of your people you ought to feel
the same way. VIII you go with me?"
The boy considered the proposal for
a time in silence. Dawn would be in
danger! At last he said gravely:
Hit sounds like a fair proposition.
I'll go along with We. an meantime Ill
keep my own counsel"