Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1918-04-19
CHAPTER ~.
The Mystery Of the Missing.

The Mystery Of the Missing.
TT7HEN Charlie Fox rode down to
w the Wolverine month or &c
later, tied his horse under the
shed and came up to the cabin a.
though he knew Of no better place in
all the world; when he greeted ''mom-
mie" as though she were something
precious In his sight and talked with
her about the things she was most In.
.teres,ed In and actually made her ter
~ II he were immensely Interested al
20. Billy Louise simply could not help
admiring him and liking him for his
frank good nature and his Kindness.
She had never before met a man Just
IKE Charlie Fox, though she had known
many who were what Ward once called
'parlor broke"
1t was not until Charlie was leaving
that he gave Billy Louise hint that
his errand was not yet accomplished
She walked down with him to where
his horse was tied and, 80 gave him a
bloom against the dull brown Of the
chance to speak what was In his mind
"You know, l hate to mention little
worries before your mother" he said
"Those pathetic eyes of hers make me
ashamed to bother her with thing
But am worried, Miss Louise. came
over to ask you II you've seen anything
Of four calves Of ours. l know you
ride good deal through the hills
They disappeared a week ago, and
can't find any trace of them. I've been
looking all through the hills, but can't
locate them"
Billy Louise had not seen them, Ell
Their. and she begged for particulars
Il don't see how they could get away
from your cove" she said, unless your
bars were down."
'"rhe bars were all right 1t was last
Friday, think. I'm not sure. They
were In the little meadow above the
house, you see. ! was away that night,
and Aunt Martha is a little hard of
hearing. She wouldn't hear anything
unless there were considerable noise
! came home the next forenoon--I was
over to Seaback's-and the bars were
In place then. Aunt Martha had not
been up the gorge nor had any one
come to the ranch while ! was gone
So you see. Miss Louise, here's a very
pretty mystery"
lyon think they were driven of.
don't your" Billy Louise asked cues.
ton with the words and made a state
ment of 1t with her tone, which was o
trick of hers.
Charlie Fox shook his head, but his
eyes did not complete the denial. Miss
Louise. I'd work every other theory to
death before I'd admit that possibility
don't know all of my neighbors so
very well, but should hesitate a long.
long time"
1T needn't have been neighbor.
There are lots of strange men passing
through the country. Did you look for
tracks,"
Il did not. l didn't want to admit
that possibility. l decline to admit il
now" The chin of Charlie Fox squar
ed perceptibly, so that Billie Louise
caught faint resemblance to Marthy
In his ia Re. II saw man accused OF
was-or seemed-absolutely unassaila
BILE. And afterward he was exonera!
ed completely. 1t was just horrible
mistake. But he left school under a
cloud. His life was ruined by the
blunder. I'd have to know absolutely
before I'd accuse any one of stealing
those calves, Miss Louise. I'd have to
see them in mans corral. with his
brand on tnem-l believe that's the
way it's done out here-and even
then"
Where have you looked?' There
were reasons why this particular sub
ject was painful to Billy Louise. And
are you sure they didn't get out of
that pasture and wander on down the
Cove, among all those willows? It's
perfect jungle away down. Are you
sure they aren't with the rest of the
cattle? l don't see how they could
leave the Cove unless they were driv-