Connecticut western news., 1920-01-29
PART | Curly.
Following a Crooked Trail.
CHAPTER |!

Across Dry valley dust cloud had Deen moving for hours. It rolled into Saguache at the brisk heels Of bunch sS horses just about the time the town was settling itself to supper. From eat of the heart of 1t cantered rider who swung his pony as on half dol. lAs. and deflected the remuda toward Ghunn's corral.
 The rider was in the broad-rimmed se8t hat, the gray shirt, the plain leath- - chaps of vaquero. Under other conditions he might have been a col sege freshman for age, but the compe- tent confidence of manhood sat easily @ his broad shoulders. Curly Elan assu had more than once looked into tne chill eyes of death.
 The leaders of the herd dribbled into ase corral through the open gate. and ahe others crowded on their heels. Three more riders followed Curly into NAe inclosure. One of them, red hstred young fellow of about the same age as Curly. swung stifly from the se6dle.
 Me for a square meal first off," he EEye out promptly.
 Mot till we've finished this business, Aac. We'll put deal right through if WArren's here," decided a third mem Hes of the party. He was tough-look- Gg customer of nearly fifty. Bad Bill" 0anston he was called. and the man Aoked as If he had earned his sobri- Nnet-
 And what if he ain't here?" snarled Azte Blackwell. "Are you aiming to - down and walt for him?"
 wen cross that bridge when we ssme to it." Bad Bill answered Curly. wMnt to ride up to the hotel and ask ~ MT. Dave Warren Is there? Bring AEm right down If he is."
 The young man cantered up the 1Ksty street toward the hotel.
 Thought you'd fixed it with this &arren to be right on the spot sos ns could unload on him prompt" Blackwell grumbled at Cranston with rus looking toward the latter.
 T didn't promise he'd be hanging nund your neck soon as you hit town. 2sanston retorted coolly. Y Fs
 The owner of the corral sauntered nsm the stable and glanced over the hsDch of horses milling around.
 Drive all the way from Bar Double Ay asked the keeper. his eyes on the 6nnd stamped on the flank of a pony eiscling past.
 Yep"
 Bad Bill turned away and began to nRsaddle.
 Looks like you been hitting the road ss right lively gait"
 Mac cut in. Shoulder of my bronc's ra0sfed from the saddle. Got anything ahat'l heal it?"
 You bet l have" The man hurried suso the stable and the red-headed cow Bzmcher winked across the back of his Aswse at Bill.
 The keeper of the stable and the ysung man were still busy doctorlng ahe sore when Curly arrived with War rem. The buyer was round-bodied nan with black gimlet eyes that saw Much he never told. The bargain he drove was hard one. but 1t did not
 
 swe-third the value of the string he rHs purchasing. Very likely he had hPs suspicious, but he did not voice tfem. No doubt they cut a figure in fke price. He let 1t be understood That he was supply agent for the Febefs in Mexico. Before the bills were rnrm In the pockets of the sellers. his vnqueros were mounted and were rowing the remuda toward the border.
 Curly and Mac helped them get searted. As they rode back to the cor ms young man came out from the stable. Flandrau forgot that there were reasons why he wanted just now AD be stranger In the land with his Identity not advertised. He let out nAOut
 .Oh, you, Slats Davisl"
 Hello. Curlyi How are things n+comin'?"
 'sFine. When did you blow in to nsguache? Amt you off your run peme7
 They had ridden the range together and had frolicked around on a dozen bsyfsh larks. To put 1t mildly the neeting was likely to prove embarrass- lng. h
 -Came down, to see about getting scme cows for the old man from the u1adleback outfit" Davis explained. ''Kou riding for the Bar Double MT"
 There was momentary silence. G,urfy's vigilant eyes met those of his cd side partner. What did Slats knew7 Were his suspicious already active?
 -No. I'm riding for the Map of 1exas.' Flandrau answered evenly.
 .Come on C"rly. Let's go feed our