The Lamar register., 1920-03-10

wouldn't make her any more worry"
ITS because | am a white man that
l can't dodge fight when it's stacked
up for me. Bucky. tell you straight
I'm going TO see 1t out"
Bucky's jaw clamped. Not II |
know II. You're under arrest"
Fendrick set up in surprise. what
forf he demanded angrily.
For robbing the w. S. Express
company"
il. Bucky. You don't believe
that"
Never mind what believe. There's
some evidence against you-enough TO
Justify me-"
II won't stand for 1t. That aint
square"
You'll stand for 1t. my friend.
gave you a chance to clear out and
you wouldn't take 1T
There came a knock on the door.
It opened TO admit Luck Cullison- He
shut II and put his back to 1t, while
his eyes. hard as hammered iron.
swept past the officer to fix on Fen
drick.
The latter rose quickly from the
bed. but O'Connor flung him back.
Don't forget you're my prisoner"
Hes your prisoner Is hef" This
was II turn of affair for which Luck
was manifestly unprepared: "Well,
I've come to have a little settlement
with him"
Fendrlck, tense as coiled spring,
rfI slfantf ha
too soon to suit me-"
Clear cut as pair OF scissors
through paper Bucky snapped out his
warning. Nothing stirring, gentle
men. I'll shoot the first man that
makes a move"
Are you In this Bucky?" asked Cul
llson evenly.
You're right | am. He's my pris-
oner."
what forr
For robblng the W. d s."
Luck's face lit. Have you evidence
enough TO cinch hImT
Not enough yet. But I'll take no
chances on his getting away"
The eattleman's Countenance reflect
ed his thoughts as his decision hung In
the balance. He lonsed to pay his
debt Cn the spot. But on the other
hano he had been sheriff himself.
As an outsider he had no right to In
terfere between an officer and his cap
tive. Resides. II there was a chance
to send Fendrick over the road that
would be better thnn killing. 1t would
clear up his own reputation. to some
extent under a cloud.
All right. Bucky. II the law wants
him I'll step aside for the time
The sheepman laughed in his ironic
fashion. His smusemoent mocked
them both. Most as good as a play
Of the movies. amt lt7 But we'd ought
all to have our guns out to make Il
realistic"
Bucky O'Connor and his prisoner
swung down the street side by side
and turned in at the headquarters OF
the rangers. The officer switched on
the light. shut the door. and indicated
a chair.
Relaxed in his chair. Fendrick spoke
with rather elaborate Incidence.
whats your evidence. Buckyl
What have you got that ties me to the
w. 4 s. robbery"
why. that hat play, Csss. You let
on you had shot Cullison's hat on his
head while he was making his get
away. Come to ind out you had his
hat In your possession all the time"
Does that prove | did 1t myself"
Looks funny you happened to be
right there while the robbery was TAX
ing place and that you had Luck's
hst with you"
The sleepy tiger look lay warily in
the sheepman's eyes. That's what
the dictionaries call coincidence.
Bucky."
1--WE a notion It will take some ex-
planning"
"Confidentially?
"Confidentially what?"
The explanation. You won't use It
against met"
mot II you weren't In the hold
up"
II wasn't This is fhe way It hap
pened: You know Cullison was GO
ing to prove up on that Del Oro claim
on Thursday. He had me beat.
couldn't see any way out but TO eat
crow and offer compromise. 1t was
up to me to hunt Luck up and see
what he would do. His hat gave me
an excuse to call. So | started out
a 81. c..