Connecticut western news., 1920-03-04

soapy may drift out here any minute now"
 twill he-T Her eyes finished the question.
 i He shook his head. Don't know. That's the mischief of 1t. If they should meet just after Curly finishes riding the boy won't have a chance. His nerves won't be steady enough.
 Dad is doing something. I don't know what 1t Is. He had a meeting with lot of cattlemen about it. don't see how that boy can sit there on the fence laughing when any min- ute"
 "Curly's game as they make 'em. He's a prince, too.' l like that boy bet ter every day." A lad made his way to them with note. Kate read 1t and turned to Dick. Her eyes were shining happily.
 i've got news from dad. It's all right. Soapy Stone has left town"
 "Why?"
 "A dozen of the big cattlemen signed a note and sent 1t to Stone. They told him that if he touched Curly he would never leave town alive. He was given word to get out of town at once."
 Maloney slapped his hand joyously on his thigh. "Finel Might a-known Luck would find a way out Soapy couldn't stand out against the big ranchmen when they got together and meant business. He had to pull his freight"
 Let me tell him the good news. Dick" she said, eagerly.
 Sure. I'll send him right up."
 Bronzed almost to a coffee brown. with the lean 1.-the grace of youth garbed in the picturesque regalia of the vaquero, Flandrau was taking enough picture to hold the rowing eye of any girl. A good many centered upon him now, as he sauntered for ward toward the Cullison box. cool and easy and debonair.
 Kate gathered her skirts to make room for him beside her.
 "Have you heard? He has left town
 "Whof ,-
 "Soapy Stone. The cattlemen served notice on him to go. So he left"
 A wave of relief swept over the young man. That's your fathers fine work"
 Isn't it goodT' Her eyes were shining with gladness. "Tm so happy I don't know what to do."
 'I suppose now the holdup will be put off. Did Sam and Blackwell go with him?"
 "No. He went alone"
 Have you seen Sam yetf' L "No, but I've seen Laura London. She's all the nice things you've said about her."
 "l see she has made a friend of you" ...
 You bet she has,"
 Miss Cullison shot a swift slant glance at him. If you'll come back this afternoon you can meet her. I'm going to have all those dimples and all that sunshine here in the box with me"
 Maybe that will draw Sam to yeu."
 I'm hoping it will. But I'm afraid not. He avoids us. When they met he wouldn't speak to father"
 That's the boy of it. Just the same he feels pretty bad about the quarrel. l reckon there's nothing to do but keep an eye on him and be ready for Soapy's move when he makes it." I'm so afraid something will hap pen to Sam"
 "Now, don't you worry, Miss Kate. Sam is going to come out of this all right. We'll find a way out for him yet"
 Behind her smile the tears lay close You're the best friend. How can we ever thank you for what you're doing for Sam?"
 Do you reckon have forgot how girl took a rope from my neck one, night? Do you reckon l ever forget that?"
 Tt was nothing. just spoke to the boys"
 'Or that 1 don't remember how the nan had shot went bail fora rustler lie did not know?"
 Dick knew you. He told us about you."
 "CcIId he tell ron any g0o6 about n"? Could he say anything except that I was worthless no-'count-?"
 She put her hand on his arm and stopped him. Don't! won't hear you say such things about yourself You were just boy in trouble'
 How many would have remembered that? But you did. You fought good for my life that night. I'll pay my debt, part of. it. The whole l never could pay"
 His voice trembled in spite of the best he could do. Their eyes did not meet, but each felt the thrill of joy waves surging through their veins.
 PART II