The Jasper news., 1920-04-22

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stand. Eabe7 Call yourself bad
man. DO your Time I'm through with
you there will be one tame wolf crawl
ing back to Dead Cow with It's tall be-
tween its legs"
The taunt diverted his mind, Just as
Curly had hoped It would. He thrust
the revolver back into the holster and
reached for his foe.
Then everybody, hitherto paralyzed
by the sight Of deadly weapon, woke
up and took hand. They dragged
the two men apart. Curly was thrust
into barber shop on the other side Of
the street and Stone was dragged back
into the Silver Dollar.
In two minutes Flandrau had made
himself famous, for he was marked
man. The last words Of the struggling
desperado had been that he would
shoot on sight Now half dozen
talked at once Some advised Curly
one thing, some another. He must get
out of town. He must apologize at
once to Stone. He must send friend
and explain.
The young man laughed grilnly.
Explain nothing I've done all the
explaining I'm going to. And I'll not
leave town either. II Soapy wants me
he'll sure find me-"
Don't be foolish, kid. He has got
four notches on that gun of his. And
he's dead shot"
The tongues Of those about him gal
loped. But Curly was excited, pleased
with himself because he had stood up
to the bogey man Of the Southwest
and too full of strength to be afraid.
Maloney came into the barber shop
and grlnned at him. 81 hear you and
Soapy are figuring on setting on some
fireworks this Fourth"
1t did Curly good to see him stand
Ing there so easy and deliberate among
the excitabIe town people.
"Soapy Is doing the talking"
II heard him; happened to be at the
Silver Dollar when they dragged him
in"
Maloney's eyebrows moved the least
bit. His friend understood. Together
they passed out of the back door of
the shop into an alley. The others
stood back and let them go.
Back to the hotel the two ran.
When Curly buckled on his revolver
and felt 1t resting comfortably against
his thigh he felt good deal better.
1--WE seen Stats Davis" Maloney
explained. HE has gone to nnd
Luck, who is now at the Del Mar"
"Had any talk with Slatsr
mo. He said you'd do the talking"
"Pm to wait for him on FL Moline
street to learn where I'm to meet Cul-
llson."
'That won't do. You'd make too
tempting a target. I'll meet him In
stead"
That suited Curly. He was not hunt
ing trouble just now, even though he
would not run away from 1t. For he
had serious business on hand that
could not take care of Itself II Soapy
should kill him.
Nearly an hour later Maloney ap-
peared again.
"we're to go right over to the Del
Mar. Second floor, room 217. You
are to go down El Mollno to Main.
then follow It to the hotel, keeping on
the right hand side OF the street.
Stats will happen along the other side
OF the street and will keep abreast OF
you, Luck will walk behind you. On
less l yell your name don't pay any
attention to what is behind you. Soon
as we reach the hotel Stats will cross
! the road and go In by the side door.
You will follow him few steps be-
! hind, and we'll bring UP the rear cas-
ually as II we hadn't thing to do
: with you"
They moved down the street as ar.
ranged. Every time door opened In
front Of him, every time man came
out Of a store or a saloon. Curly was
: ready for that lightning lift Of the
arm followed by a pun of smoke.
The news of his coming passed ahead
I OF him, so that windows were crowded
/ with spectators. These were doomed
2 to disappointment, Nothing happened.
J the procession left behind II the Sill
yer Dollar, the Last Chance, Chalk
I eyes Place and Pete's Palace.
. Reaching the hotel first. Davis dis.
! appeared according to program into
the side door. Curly followed. walked
E directly up the stairs. along the cor
b ridor. and passed without knocking
into room PIT.
q A young woman was sitting there
: engaged with some fancy work. sien'
y der and straight. Kate Cullison rose
and gave Curly her hand. For about
a two heartbeats her fingers lay cuddlec