The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1920-08-06

me behind the bars. and he's the man
that really stole It,"
From this they could not shake him.
Fendrick, riding on Mesa Verde, met
young Bob Cullison, and before he
knew what had happened found a gun
thrown on him.
Don't you move" the boy warned.
What does this tommyrot mean?"
the sheepman demanded angrily.
1T means that you are coming back
with me to the ranch. That's what It
means"
what for?"
Never you mind what for"
"Oh, go TO Mexico" Cass flung back
impaticntly. Think we're In some
fool moving-pictare play, you blamed
young idiot? Put up that gun"
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'll turn and go
back with me to the Circle C. You're
wanted for the w. & S. express rob
berry. Blackwell has c~onfessedP
Cass sat immovable as the sphinx.
He was thinking that he might as well
face the charge now as any time. More
over, he had reasons for wanting TO
visit the Circle c. They had 10 do
with a 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. I won't stand for
any gun-play capture"
You'll have to stand for It."
hendricks face set. "Will I? 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. bat 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 c under compulsion OF a gun in
N'S VI wy lit houlu HthEE
hear the end of the laugh on him.
Bob put up his big blue Gun reluc-
family. Never before had II been
trained on a human being. and il a
a wrench TO give up the thought Of
bringing in the enemy as d prisoner.
But he saw he could not pull it OF.
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, sis? I've
brought this fellow back with me.
Caught him on the mesa" explained
the boy sulkily.
Fendrick bowed rather e~xtravaghnt-
~. Hes qualifying for a moving pic
ture show actor, Miss Cullison. /
hadn't the heart to disappoint him
when he got that cannon trained on
me. SO here l am"
Kate looked at him and then let her
gaze travel to her cousin. She m
how gave the effect Of judging him
Of negligible value.
81 think he's in his office, Bob. I'll
go see."
She went swiftly and presently her
father anne out. Kate did not return.
Luck looked straight at Cass with
the uncempromising hostility so char
acteristic of him. Neither Of the men
spoke. 1t was Bob who made the nee
essary explanations.
"Tve beer looking for you," Luck
said bluntly. after his nephew had fin
ished.
ESQ I gathered from young Jesse
James. Anything particular. or just
a pleasant social calf"
You're FIJI bad on this w. & s. rob-
berry. I reckoned you would be safer
In jail TIL It's cleared up"
you still sheriff, Mr.. Cullison?
Somehow ! had got a notion that you
had quit the job"
"Tm an interested party. Wen take
the stage into town and see what
O'Connor says-that Is, Ii you've got
time to CO." Luck could be as formal
I'm 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
announced dinner. A little awkwardly
Luck invited the sheepman to join
them. Fendrick declined.
His host hung in the doorway. Sell
dom at a loss to- express himself, he
did not quite know how to put into
words what he vas thinking. His enc
my understood,
"That's oil right. You've satisfied
the demands of hospitality. Go eat
your dinner. I'll be right here on the
porch when You get through"
Kate, who was standing beside her
father. spoke quietly.
There's a place for You, Mr.. Fend-
rick. We should be very pleased to
have you join us. People who happen
to be at the Circle @ at dinner time are
expected to eat here"
Eendrck looked at the young mis-
tress Of the ranch. He meant to de-
cline once more, but u~naccountably