Connecticut western news., 1920-02-19

wAdppCu LhC Wo0Aos Laura was as gentle as she could be.
 T know I'm hurting you," she said. her fingers trembling. "Not bit of it. Great pleasure to have you for nurse. I'm certainly in luck" Curly did not understand the bitterness in the sardonic face and he resented it. That something was wrong between them Curly could see. Soapy was very polite in spite Of his bitterness, but his hard eyes watched her as a cat does a mouse. Moreover, the girl was afraid of him. He could tell that by the timid startled way she had of an- swering. Now, why need she fear the man? It would be as much as his life was worth to lift hand to hurt her.
 After the doctor had come and had attended to the crushed wrist Curly stepped out to the porch to find Laura.
 "Im right sorry for what said. Miss Laura. Once in while fel- low makes mistake. If he's as big chump as I am It's liable to happen q little oftener. But I'm not really one or those smart guys.
 Out came her gloved hand in the firmest of grips.
 q know that now. You didn't think. And made mistake. l thought you were taking advantage because had been friendly. I'm glad you spoke about it. We'll forget it. There's something want you to do for me-"
 ''I expect maybe I'll do it."
 "It's about that boy he has up there." She gave a hopeless little ges- ture toward the hills.
 "Sam Cullison2"
 "Yes."
 "What about himw
 He's bent on ruining him, always has been ever since he got hold on him. I can't tell you how know 1t, but Pm sure And now he's more set on it than ever."
 @Jealous, is her"
 "Yes. If he can drag Sam down and get him into trouble he'll pay 03 two grudges at once. And he will too. You'll see. He's willy as an Indian. For that matter there Is Apache blood in him, folks say"
 ''What about young Cullison? Can't he make fight for himself"
 "Oh, you know how boys are. Sam Is completely under this mans influ- ence." Her voice broke little. "And I can't help him. Pm only girl. He won't listen to me. What Sam needs Is man friend one just as strong and determined as Soapy but one who IS good and the right sort of an infld- ence."
 Are you picking me for that re- sponsible friend who Is to be such a powerful influence for good?" Curly asked with a smile.
 "Yes--yes, I am" She looked up at him confidently.
 Curly met her on the ground of her own seriousness. 'I'll tell you some-. thing, Miss Laura Maybe you'll be. glad to know that the reason I'm go- ing to the horse ranch is to help Sam Cullison if can"
 He went on 10 tell her the whole story of what the Cullisons had done for him. In all that he said there was :, not one word to suggest such thing but Laura London's mind jumped the gaps to a knowledge of the truth that Curly himself did not have. The young man was in love with Kate Cu,json. I She was sure of il.
 When Curly walked back into the \ house, Stone laid down the paper he had been reading
 T see the Sentinel hints that Mir. Curly Flandrau had better be lynched." he jeered.
 "The Sentinel don't always hit the bull's-eye, Soapy," returned the young man evenly. Tt thinks I belong to the Soapy Stone outfit. but we know l haven't that honor"
 Soapy drowned at him under the heavy eyebrows that gave him so men, acing an effect.
 Better come back with me to the ranch till you look around"
 "Suits me right down to the ground if it does you"
 Some one came whistling into the house and opened the door of the room. He was big lank fellow with shotgun in his hands From Mis- souri' was stamped all over his awk- ward frame. He stood staring at his unexpected guests. His eyes, clashing with those of Stone, grew chill and hard
 "So you're back here again, are you?" he asked, looking pretty black.
 Stones lip smile mocked him. "I don't know how you guessed it, but sure am here."
 Didn't l tell you to keep away from the Bar 99-you and your whole cursed outfit?"
 "Seems to me you did mention some thing of that sort. But how was I to know whether you meant 1t unless l came back to seer"
 Laura came into the room and | ranged herself beside her father Her |