The diamond drill., 1920-02-28

wise would have been a matter Of
course.
MY banks busted Just now. boys.
Have to ask you to let II stand for a
few days-say I'LL the end of the
week"
Fendrick laughed behind the paper
he was pretending TO read. lie knew
quite well that Luck's word was as
good as his bond. but he chose to sug-
gest doubt.
Maybe you'll explain the joke TO
us. Cass." the owner OF the Circle O
said very quietly.
"0h. was just laughing at the
things see, Luck" returned the
younger man with airy offense. his
eyes on the printed sheet ANY law
against laughingT
Culiison turned his back on him.
"See you on Thursday II that's soon
enough, boys" Without looking again
at Fendrick he led the way to the
street.
The young man. left alone, cursed
softly TO himself and ordered another
drink. He knew he was overriding II.
but the meeting with Culllson had an
noyed him exceedingly. The men had
never been friends, and OF late years
they had been leaders OF hostile camps.
Both OF them could be overbearlng,
and there was scarcely q week but
their interests overlapped. Finally
had come open hostility. Cass leased
from the forestry department the land
upon which Cullison's cattle had al
ways run free OF expense. Upon this
he had put sheep. thing in itself OF
great injury to the cattle interests.
The stockmen had all been banded to-
gether in opposition TO the forestry ad-
minlstration OF the new regime. and
Luck regarded Fendrick's action as
treachery to the common cause.
He struck hard. In Arizona the
open range Is valuable only so long
as the water holes also are common
property or q private supply avail
able. The Circle G cattle and those
OF Fendrick came down from the range
TO the Del Orc to water at a point
where the canyon walls opened TO a
spreading valley. This bit OF meadow
Luck homesteaded and fenced on the
north side, thus cutting the cattle OF
his enemy from the river.
Cass was furious. He promptly tore
down the fence TO let his cattle and
sheep through. Cullison rebuilt II, put
up shack at point which command
ed the approach. and set a guard
upon II day and night. Open warfare
had ensued, and one OF the sheep
herders had been beaten because he
persisted In crossing the dead line.
Now Cullison was going TO put the
legal seal on the matter by making
final proof on his homestead. Cass
knew that II he did so II would prac-
tlcally put him out OF business. He
would be at the mercy Of his foe, who
could ruin him II he pleased. Luck
would be in a position to dictate terms
absolutely.
Fendrick felt that there must be
some way out OF the trap II he could
only find II. Whenever the thought OF
eating humble pie to Luck came into
his mind the rage boiled In him. He
swore he would not do II. Better a
hundred times TO see the thing out
TO a fighting finish.
Taking the broaAbrimmed gray hat
he found on the rack Cass passed out
OF the clubhouse and into the sur
bathed street.
CullIson and his friends proceeded
down Papago street TO the old plaza
where their hotel was located. All
along the route they scattered mods OF
recognition. friendly greetings and
genial banter. One of them-the man
who had formerly been the hard-rid-
Ing. Qulck-shooting sheriff OF the coun-
ty--met also scowls once or twice, to
which he was entirely Indifferent He
had made enemies. desperate and un-
scrupulous ones. who had sworn 10
wipe him from among the living, and
one OF these he was now to meet for
the first time since the man had stood
handcuffed before him. llvid with fury.
and had sworn TO cut his heart out at
the earliest chance.
II Was In the lobby OF the hotel that
Cullison came plump against Lutte
Blackwell. For just n moment they
stared at each other before the former
sheriff spoke.
"out again. ell. Blackwelli" he said
easily.
From the bloodshot eyes one could |
have told at a glance the man had |
been drinking heavily. From whisky |
he had imbIbed a Dutch courage Just |
bold enough TO be dangerous.
"Yes. I'm out--and back again, Just |
as ! promised. Mr., Sheriff." he threat
cned.
The cattieman ignored his manner.
'Then III give you a piece OF advice
gratis. Papago county has grown
away from the old days. II has got
past the two-run man. He's gone TO
Join the antelope and the painted In
dian"
The folfovV fca nod forw.rd .,o.xfc.