Connecticut western news., 1920-04-01
'Uh, go to MexicoTUass flung back

Shrilly Bob retorted. He was excited enough to be dangerous. Don't you get the wrong idea. I'm going to make this stick. You'n turn and go back with me to the Circle c. You're wanted for the w. X s. express rob- bery. Blackwell has confessed"
 Cass sat immovahle as the sphinx. He was thinking that he might as we'll face the charge now as any time. More over, he had reasons for wanting to visit the Circle c. They had to do with tall, slim girl who never looked at him without scorn in her dark, fash ing eyes.
 "All right. I'll go back with you, but not under a gun. won't stand for any gun-play capture"
 You'll have to stand for it." Fendrick's face set. "Win IT It's up to you. then. Let's see you make me"
 Sitting there with his gaze steadily on the boy. Cass had Bob at a disad- vantage. If the sheep owner had tried to break away into the chaparral, Bob could have blazed away at him, but he could not shoot a man looking at him with cynical. amused eyes. He could understand the point of view of his adversary. If Fendrick rode into the Circle O under compulsion of & gun in the hands of a boy he would never hear the end of the laugh on him.
 Bob put up his big blue gun reluc- tantly. Never before had 1t been trained on a human being, and 1t was wrench to give up the thought of bringing in the enemy as prisoner But he saw he could not pull 1t off.
 They turned toward the Circle c.
 Kate was seated on the porch sew ing. She rose in surprise when her cousin and the sheepman appeared. They came with jingling spurs across the plaza toward her.
 "Where's Uncle Luck, sisf I've brought this fellow back with me. Caught him on the mesa" explained the boy sulkily.
 Fendrick bowed rather extravagant- ly. He's qualifying for a moving-pic- ture show actor. Miss Cullison. l hadn't the heart to dlsappoint him when he got that cannon trained on me. So here I am."
 Kate looked at him and then let her gaze travel to her cousin. She some how gave the effect of judging him of negligible value.
 q think he's in his office, Bob. I'll go see"
 She went swiftly and presently her fn ttf otn
 Luck looked straight at Cass with the uncompromising hostility so char acterlstic of him. Neither of the men spoke. It was Bob who made the nec- 'ssary explanations.
 i've been looking for you," Luck said hluntly, after his nephew had fin- ished.
 "So gathered from young Jesse James. Anything particular, or just pleasant social call?"
 You're in bad on this w. t& s. rob- bery. reckoned you would be safer in jail till it's cleared up"
 You still sheriff. Mir. Culllson? Somehow had got notion that you had quit the job"
 I'm an interested party. Wen take the stage into town and see what o'Connor says-that Is, if you've got time to go." Luck could be as formal in his sarcasm as his neighbor.
 With such good company on the way I'll have to make time"
 The stage did not usually leave till about half past one. Presently Kate dinner. little awkwardly Luck invited the sheepman to join them. Fendrick declined.
 His host hung in the doorway. Sel. dom at loss to express himself, he did not quite know how to put into words what he was thinking. His enc. !:'v "''lery'n"h
 "...",s 9 ali r.Ght. Yc"'v2 sat's"ph ;"" d. ads Of L,s..i,"ity Gu rat our dinner. I'll be right here on the porch when you get through"
 Kate, who was standing beside her father, spoke quietly.
 ''There's place for you. Mir. Fend- rick. We should be very pleased to have you join us. People who happen to be at the Circle c at dinner time are to eat here."
 Fendrick looked at the young mis- .ress of the ranch. He meant to de- 'line once more, but unaccountahly ound himself accepting instead Some hing in her face told him she would 'ather have 1t so.
 Presently young man came into the lining room and sat down beside Kate. ie looked the least in the world sur 'rised at sight of the sheepman.
 "Mornin'. Cass," he nodded.
 Morning, Curly" answered Fend- ick. Didn't know you were riding for he Circle C."
 He's my foreman" Luck explained. Cass observed that he was quite one f the family. Bob admired him open- and without shame. because he was n g,,