Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-02-15

, hesitation was not by any means G
mental habit with Billy Louise.
: Il mean just what said" Char
lies manner was becoming more nat
ural, more confident. 1--WE been rid
ing through the hills good deal, and
I've seen a few things. And I've an
idea the fellow got a little uneasy"
He saw her vince a little at the word
fellow and he went on, with an
impulsives burst of confidence: Miss
Louise, have you ever, In your riding
around up above Jones canyon, in all
those deep little gulches, have you ever
seen anything Of a-corral, up thereT
Billy Louise held herself rigidly
from starting at this. She bit her lips
so that 1T hurt whereabouts is it?'
she asked, without looking at him.
And then: II thought you would go to
any length before you would accuse
anybody"
II would. But when they deliberate
ly try to hand me the blame-and I'm
not accusing anybody-anybody in
particular, am I? The corral Is at the
head of steep little canyon or gulch,
back In the hills where all these bigger
canyons head. Some time when you're
riding up that way, you keep an eye
out for it. That" he added grimly
is where Peter and I ran across
these cattle; right near that corral"
The heart Of Billy Louise went heavy
in her chest. Was it possible7 Doubts
are harder to kill than cats or snakes.
You think they're done for, and here
they come again, crowding close so
that one can see nothing else.
'Have you any idea at all, who
1t ISL" She forced the words out of
her dry throat. She lifted her head de-
family and looked at him full, trying
to read the truth from his eyes and
his mouth.
Charlie Fox met her look, and in his
eyes she read pity-yes, pity for her.
"h I have" he said, with an air of
gently deliberate evasion. I'll wait till
am dead before name tie man. I'm
not at all sure I'd do it even then, Miss
Louise; not unless I was forced TO do
it in self-defense. That's one reason
why 1 brought the cattle down here.
didn't want to be placed in a posi-
ton where 1 should be compelled to
fight back"
Baffied and angry and hurt to the |
very soul of her, Billy Louise opened |
the gate and went out. "n you know
anything to tell, for heavens sake don't |
hold back on my account It's nothing |
to me, one way or the other. I'm no
that's what you're limiting at" She
left them with a proud lift to her chin
and very straight back, went to, Blue,
and mounted him mechanically. Billy
Louise was seeing red" just then. She
rode back past the gate, the three were
still standing there close together,
talking.
Billy Louise had ridden but short
distance when, with azsudden impulse
born of her stern instincts Of justice,
she jerked Blue around and galloped
back. Charlie had disappeared, and
Peter Howling Dog was walking sui
emily toward the corraled cattle. Mar
.hy was going slowly up the path to
he cabin, looking old and bent and
DCNahoC VI ACA DOWCo |
shoulders and stiff, rheumatic gait, but
harsh and unyielding as to her face.
Billy Louise stopped by the fence and
allied to her. Marthy turned, stared
It her sourly, and stood where she
vas.
"Wall, what dyuh want now?" she
sked uncompromisingly
Billy Louise fought back an answer
ng antagonism. She must be just;
he could not blame Marthy for feel
ng hard toward her. She had insulted
hem horribly and killed Marthy's dog.
81 want to tell you I'm sorry 1 was
o mean, Marthy," she said bravely.
1 haven't any excuse TO make for it;
My you must see yourself what a
hook it would be to a person to ind J
hose cattle down here. But know
ou're honest, and so is Charlie. And
know you'll do what's right. Pm !
)rry l shot your dog, Marthy." 3
Apologies did not come easily to
lily Louise. She wheeled then and
,de away at a furious gallop, before b
-arthy could do more than open her 4
i'm lips for reply.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
I