The diamond drill., 1920-02-28
Crooked
Trails
and
Straight
William Macleod R0ine
cspyrish. ~ q. W DIuisssss Company

lonhily couple or the Map or Texas
FaQueros.
II chanced that "Oid Man" Flan-
drau. drifting into Chalkeye's Place.
found In the assembled group the man
he sought. Billie Mackenzie. grizzled
bwner of the Ffddleback ranch. was
with him. and II was In the prelimi-
nary pause before drinking that Alec
made his official announcement.
mo. Mac. amt worrying about
that any. Curly Is going to get
square deal. We're all agreed on that
( there's any shooting from cover
therYIl be a lynchlng pronto. That
coed"
E1andrau. senior. knew perfectly
well that inside OF an hour word
would reach Soapy Stone that only an
even break with Curly would be al
lowed.
Another day passed. The festivities
had begun and Curly had TO be much
IN evidence before the public. His
friends had attempted to dissuade him
from riding In the bucking broncho
contest. but he had refused TO let his
name be scratched from the list Of con-
testanta
A thousand pairs OF eyes In the
grandstand watched the boy as he
Eounged against the corral fence
aughing and talking with his friends.
a dozen people we're on the lookout for
he approach OF Stone. Fifty others
lad warned the young man to be care
rul. For Saguache was with him al
most 20 a man.
Dick Maloney heard his voice called
as he was passing the grandstand. A
minute later he was In the Cullison
box shaking hands with Kate.
isis there anything newr she
asked In a low voice.
Her friend shook his head. mo.
Soapy may drift out here any minute
how
"wnn he-" Her eyes finished the
question.
He shook his head. "Don't know.
That's the mischief OF IL. II they
hould meet just after Curly finishes
Idlng the boy won't have a chance.
IFS nerves won't be steady enough"
"Dad Is doing something. don't
noW what Il Is. He had a meeting
rith a lot OF csttlemen about it, I
ont see how that boy can sit there
b the fence laughing when any MIN
te--s
"Curly's game as they make ~m.
les prince. too. like that boy let
sr every day"
A lad made his way 10 them with Q
BITE. Kate read II and turned TO Dick.
Ter eyes were shining happily.
"rve got news from dad. It's all
ght. Soapy Stone has left town"
"Why7"
"A dozen OF the big cattlemen signed
note and sent II TO Stone. They told
i'm that IL he touched Curly he would
ever leave town alive. He was given
ord TO get out of town at once"
Maloney slapped his hand joyously
his thigh. "Finei Might a-known
uck would find a way out. Soapy
puIdn't stand out against the big
snchmen when they got together and
cant business. He had 20 pull his
eight"
LET me tell him the good news.
fck," she said. eagerly.
"Sure. I'll send him right up"
Bronxed almost to coffee brown.
lth the lean 1.-the grace OF youth
prbed In the picturesque regalia OF
q vaquero. Fiandrau was a taking
Rough picture to hold the rowing eye
any girl. A good many centered
BON him now. as he sauntered for
ard toward the CuIlison box. cool
bd easy aud debonair.
KatS gathered her skirts to make
on. .hor him beside her.
Have yeu hesrd' He has left
VIZ
sWho7"
.soapy Stone. The csttiemen served
.tice on him to 90. SO he left"
wave ef relief swept over the
uns man. THAT'S your fathers fine
brk."
~1sn't II goodr Her eyes were
ming with giadness. I'm 20 happy
dou't know what to do"
y suppose now the holdup will be
on. Did Sam aud Blackwell 20
n himf"
NO. He went alone"
Have you seen Sam yet7'
No. but I've seen Laura London.
a. All the nice things you've said
out her"
= see she has made n friend Of
q
you bet she has"
Mss Culiison shot n swift slant
rce nt him. III youii come back
|. afternoon you can meet her. I'm
,s 70 have all those dimples and all
/ sunshine here In the box with
assybe that will draw Sam to you"
rm hoping Il viii. But I'm afraid
He avoids US When they met
wouldn't speak 70 father.-
rnsfs the boy OF Il. Just the same