The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1920-04-29

young Flandrau. 1t was known that
Curly had refused to leave town, Just
as II was known that Stone and that
other prison bird Blackwell were
hanging around the Last Chance and
Chalkeye's Place drinking together
morosely. 1t was observed, too. that
whenever Curly appeared in public he
was attended by friends. Sometimes
1t would be Maloney and Davis, some
times his uncle, Alec Flandrau, oeca-
slonally q couple of the Map of Texas
vaqueros.
1t CHANGED that "Old Man" Elan
drau, drifting into Chalkeye's Place,
found In the assembled group the man
he sought. Billie Mackenzie. grizzled
owner. of the Flddleback ranch, was
with him, and 1t was In the prellmi-
nary pause before drinking that Alec
made his official announcement.
mo, Mac, ain't worrying about
that any. Curly is going to get
square deal. We're all agreed on that.
If there's any shooting from cover
there'll be a lynching pronto. That
goes"
Flandrau, 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-
testants.
A thousand pairs of eyes in the
grandstand watched the boy as he
lounged against the corral fence
laughing and talking with his friends.
A dozen people were on the lookout for
the approach of Stone. Fifty others
had warned the young man to be care
full. For Sagut.>he was with him al
most to q 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 newT she
asked in a low voice.
Her friend shook his head. mo.
Soapy may drift out here any minute
now.''
"Will he-." Her eyes finished the
question.
He shook his head. Don't know.
| That's the mischief of II. II they
should meet just after Curly finishes
riding the boy won't have a chance.
His nerves won't be steady enough"
Dad is doing something. l don't
know what 1t Is. He had a meeting
with a lot Of cattlemen about 1t /
don't see how that boy can sit there
on the fence laughing when any min
! ute"
"Curly's game as they make 'em.
He's a prince, too. like that boy bet
ter every day."
A lad made his way to them with a
note. Kate read 1t and turned to Dick.
her eyes were shining happily.
"rve got news from dad. It's all
right. Soapy Stone has left town."
"Why2"
"A dozen Of the big cattlemen signed
note and sent 1t to Stone. They told
him that If he touched Curly he would
never leave town alive. He was given
word to get out of town at once"
Maloney slapped his hand joyously
on his thigh. Fine Might a-known
Luck would find a way out. Soapy
couldn't stand out against the big
ranchmen when they got together and
meant business. He had TO pull his
freight"
Let me tell him the good news,
Dick" she said, eagerly.
"Sure. I'll send him right up"
Bronzed almost to a coffee brown,
with the lean 1.-THE grace Of youth
CARRIED in the picturesque regalia of
the vaquero, Flandrau was a taking
enough picture to hold the rowing eye
of any girl. A good many conferred
upon him now, as he sauntered for
ward toward the Cullison box, cool
and easy and debonair.
Kate gathered her skirts to make
room for him beside her.
~2iaye you heardI He has left
town."
"WhO7"
"Soapy Stone. The cattlemen served
notice on him to 60. So he left"
A wave OF relief swept over the
young man. "That's your fathers fine
work"
isn't 1t goodr Her eyes were
shining with gladness. "Tm 30 happy
| ao.g4 ...h.k