The Little River news., 1920-05-12

ask where dad was but l didn't want to see him."
 q see. Did you just come down from the horse ranch?"
 You've guessed right"
 "Then I am sorry l can't ask you to Tight Dads orders"
 Anything in those orders about you meeting one of the lads from the horse ranch up on the hillside where it is neutral ground"
 Did Sam come with you?" she cried. Hes here Oh, know he's here."
 What do I get for bringing good newse"
 q didn't say it was good news"
 "Sho! Your big eyes are shouting "Was that the news from the horse ranch?'
 That's part of it, but there is more. Sam and Curly are on their way to Saguache to spend the Fourth of July. Sam is going for another reason, but Pm not sure yet what 1t is. There's something doing l don't savez, some big deal on foot that's not on the level. Sam is in 1t up to the hooks. He is supposed to be quitting Soapys outfit for good. But know better"
 White to- the lips, she faced him bravely. What sort of trouble is he leading Sam intO?"
 i've got a kind of notion. But it won't bear talking about yet. Don't tell him what Eve told you, unless you want to spoil my chance of helping him."
 q won't" she promised then added, with quick eagerness: Maybe l can help you. I'm going down to Saguache to visit on the Fourth"
 "I'll look you up. Trouble is that Sam is bent on ruining himself. Seems to think Soapy is his best friend. If we could show him different things might work out all right"
 While she climbed the hill to Sam, Curly watered his horse and smoked a cigarette. He was not hired to chaperone lovers. Therefore, it took him three-quarters of an hour to reach the scrub pine belt on the edge of the park.
 At once he saw that they had been having quarrel. The girls eyes were red, and she was still dabbing at them with her handkerchief when he came. whistling along. Sam looked discOur- aged, bat stubborn. Very plainly they had been diSagreeing about his line of conduct.
 The two young men took the trail again. About noon the next day they reached Saguache After they had eaten, Curly strolled off by himself to the depot.
 Gimme a ticket for Tin Cup for this evening. I want to go by the express" he told the agent.
 The man looked at him and grinned. You're so darned active, maybe you could get off No. when she is fog ging along sixty miles per. But most folks couldn't not with any comfort"
 Meaning that the flyer doesn't stop?'
 Not at Tin Cup"
 Have to take the afternoon train then?'
 'I reckon" He punched ticket and showed it through the window toward Curly. "Sixty-five cents, please"
 Flandrau paid for and pocketed the ticket he did not intend to use. He had found out what he wanted to know. The express did not stop at Tin Cup. Why, then had Soapy marked the time of it's armval there? He was beginning to guess the reason. But he would have to do more than guess.
 Flandrau sauntered back tG the ho- tel on the lookout for Sam. He was not there, but waiting for him was boy with note for the gentleman in No. 311.
 Kid looking for you, the clerk ralIed to the cow-puncher.
 Are you Mir. Seapy Stones friend, the one just down from Dead Cow creek?' asked the boy.
 Curly nodded and took the note.
 This was what he read:
 "Sam, come to Chalkeye's place soon as you get this. There we will talk over the business.
 YOU KNOW WHO."
 Though he did not know who, Curly thought he could give pretty good guess both as to the author and the business that needed talking over
 Through the open door of the hotel he saw Sam approaching. Quickly he sealed the flap of the envelope again.
 "A letter for you, Sam.'
 Cullison tore open the envelope and read the note.
 "A friend of mine has come to town and wants to see me, he explained. To help out his bluff, Curly sprang the Predetermined jest on him. Blonde or brunette2"
 I'm no lady's man." sam protested, content to let the other follow a wrong scent.
 Sure not. It never is a lady" Elan drau called after him as he departed.
 But sam had no more than turned the corner before Curly was out of a side door and cutting through an alley