The Jasper news., 1920-04-08

manf 1t would be as much as his life
was worth to lift a hand to hurt her.
After the doctor had come and had
attended to the crushed wrist Curly
stepped out to the porch to find Laura.
"Tm right sorry for what ] said,
Miss Laura. once In while fell
low makesa mistake. II he's as big a
chump as am it's liable to happen a
little oftener. But Pm not really one
of those smart guys"
Out came her gloved hand In the
firmest of grips.
81 know that now. You didn't think.
And made mistake. thought you
were taking advantage because l had
been friendly. I'm glad you spoke
about It. Wen forget 1t. There's
something / want you to do for me-"
81 expect maybe I'll do It."
"Its about that boy he has up
there" She gave hopeless little ges-
ture toward the hills.
"Sam Culllson2"
Eyes"
"What about hlm7"
Hes bent on running him, always
has been ever since he got hold on
him. | can't tell you how know II,
but I'm sure And now he's more
set on II than ever"
Jealous, is he7"
"Yes. IL he can drag Sam down
and get him into trouble he'll pay OF
two grudges at once. And he will too.
You'll see. He's willy as an Indian.
For that matter there is Apache blood
in him. folks say"
"What about young Culllson1 Can't
he make a fight for himselff"
'Oh, you know how boys are. Sam
is completely under this mans inhu-
ence." Her voice broke little. "And
| can't help him. Pm only girl. He
won't listen to me. What Sam needs
is a man friend, one just as strong and
determined as Soapy but one who Is
good and the right sort of an infu-
ence."
"Are you picking me for, that re-
sponsIble friend who Is to be such a
powerful Influence for good" Curly
asked with a smile.
"Yes-yes, l am" She looked up at
him confidently.
Curly met her on the ground of her
own seriousness. 'Tll tell you some
thing, Miss Laura. Maybe you'll be
glad TO know that the reason I'm go
ing to the horse ranch is to help Sam
Cullison IL can"
He went on to tell her the whole
story of what the Cullisons had done
for him. In oil that he said there was
not one word to suggest such thing,
but Laura London's mind jumped the
gaps to a knowledge Of the truth that
Curly himself did not have. The young
man was In love with Kate Cullison.
She was sure of II.
When Curly walked back into the
house, Stone laid down the paper he
had been reading.
II see the Sentinel hints that Mr..
Curly Flandrau had better be lynched,"
he jeered.
"The Sentinel don't always hit the
bull'seye, Soapy," returned the young
man evenly. 1T thinks belong to the
Soapy Stone outfit, but We know I
haven't that honor"
Soapy frowned at him under the
heavy eyebrows that gave him so mem
acing an effect.
Better come back with me to the
ranch till you look around"
"Suits me right down TO the ground
If It does you"
Some one came whistling into the
house and opened the door Of the
room. He was big lank fellow with
shotgun In his hands. "From Mis-
souri" was stamped all over his awk-
ward frame. He stood staring at his
unexpected guests. His eyes, clashing
with those of Stone. grew chill and
hard.
$50 you're back here again, are
your" he asked, looking pretty black.
Stones lip smile mocked him. II
don't know how you guessed 1t, but
sure am here"
Didn't tell you to keep away from
the Bar 90--you and your whole cursed
outftf"
Seems to me you did mention some
thing OF that sort. But how was I to
know whether You meant It unless
came back to seeT'