American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-04-26

those deep little gulches. have you ever
seen anything Of a-corral, up there?"
Billy Louise held herself rigidly
from starting at this. She bit her lips
so that 1t hurt. whereabouts is lr<"
she asked, without looking at him.
And then: 81 thought you would 90 to
any length before you would accuse
anybody"
Il would. But when they deliberate
~ try to hand me the blame-and I'm
not accusing anybody-anybody in
particular, am I? The corral is at the
head Of a 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 1t. That" he added grimly,
"fs where Peter and 1 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
AAa OhC 1dh sec nOlLAlk tlSts
Have you any idea al 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.
IF l have" he said, with an air of
gently deliberate evasion, "Tll wait till
l am dead before / name the man. I'm
not at all sure I'd do 1t even then, Miss
Louise; not unless l was forced to do
it in self-defense. That's one reason
why l brought the cattle down here.
I didn't want to be placed in a posi-
ton where l should be compelled to
fight back"
Baffled and angry and hurt to the
very soul of her, Billy Louise opened
the gate and went out. "If 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 30
r%ustler, and no friend of rustlers. If
that's what you're limiting at" She
left them with a proud lift to her chin
and a 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 a short
distance when, with a sudden impulse
born Of her stern instincts of justice
she jerked Blue around and galloped
back. Charlie had disappeared, and
Peter Rowling Dog was walking sui
lenly toward the corraled cattle. Mar
thy was going slowly up the path tc
the cabin, looking old and bent and
broken-spirited because of her bowed
shoulders and stiff, rheumatic gait, but
harsh and unyielding as to her face
Billy Louise stopped by the fence anC
called to her. Marthy turned, stared
at her sourly, and stood where she
was.
wall, what d'yuh want nowT" she
asked uncompromisingly.
Billy Louise fought back an answer
ing antagonism. She must be just
she could not blame Marthy for feel
ing hard toward her. She had insulteC
them horribly and killed Marthy's dog
81 want to tell you I'm sorry l wal
so mean, Marthy," she said bravely
Il haven't any excuse to make for 1t
only you must see yourself what {
shock it would be to a person to FIND
those cattle down here. But l know
you're honest, and so is Charlie. AnC
/ know you'll do what's right. Tn
sorry I shot your dog, Marthy."
Apologies did not come easily t.
Billy Louise. She wheeled then anC
rode away at a furious gallop, befor,
NIarthy could do more than open he.
grim lips for reply.
CHAPTER XIV.