The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-05-06
CHAPTER NN
Pick Your Footingl"

I'm bet yuh Sis cleared out"
Eddie blurted, looking at Bud eager
ly. "She would. II she made up her
Bud lifted his head and looked at
Eddie like a man newly awakened
Il gave her money to take home for
me, TO my mother. down Laramie
way. | begged her TO go II she was
liable TO be in trouble over leaving
the ranch. But she said she wouldn't
go unless she was missed"
"She might have done IT," Jerry
hopefully.
I'm going TO turn Little Lost
upside down 10 find her. IL she's
here" declared Bud.
Slipping wcarily off Sunfish. he
gave the reins into Eddies hand
and hurried TO the corrals.
Pop came from the stable Just as
Bud was crossing the corral.
"Afoot. air ye7" he exclaimed
curiously. Comm back here afoot
when ye rid two fast horses Off
Made OFF with Lewis wife. too. didn't
We? Needn't iie-I know what my
eyes tells mei''
i've been in Crater all the time.
Pop. Did you know Lew was mixed
up in a bank robbery yesterday. and
the cashier of the bank shot himg
The rest OF the gang is dead or in
jail"
Pop stared at Bud unwinkingly
for minute. Don't lie 10 me-" he
Went TO Crater, did ye?
Cashed them checks. I expect"
Bud pulled his mouth into a rue
full grin Yes, Pop. cashed the
checks. all highland here's what's
left of the money" He pulled out
n small roll of bills II might better
have stuck to running my horses.
Poker's sure a fright"
Went and lost all that money on
poker. did yer" Pops voice was
shrill. After me tellin' yuh how
to Kit it." The old mans rage
choked him.
Yes, and just to show you APP
preciate II, I'm going TO give you
left after I've counted off
enough TO see me thru TO Spokane.
As for riding two fast horses to
don't know what you
mean. i only ride one horse at
.iyne. Pop"
He stopped counting when he
reached $50 and gave the rest to
Pop. who thumbed the bank notes
n frenzy OF greed until he saw
hat he had 5000 in his possession.
Il always said I you're a good.
honest well-meaning boy" Pop
,ackled. slyly putting the money out
II sight Dave thought mebby you
stole Boise-and II l was you, Bud,
I'd get to Spokane quick as l could.
Dawes out lookin' for ye. II he sus-
oicioned you'd have the gall to come
light back. expect he'd string yuh
lp. young Teller"
There's something else. Pop, that
don't like to be accused OF. You
say Mrs. Morris Il gone. don't
know a thing about that. or about
The horse being gone"
Pop grinned foxily. "shucks.
ion't care nothin' about Lewis wife
soin'. ner I don't care nothin' much
about the horse. Dave an Lew. let
EN- look after their own belongin's."
Pop. I've got troubles enough
without having a woman on my
hands Are you sure Marian's gone?''
"Sure?" Pop snorted. Honey,
she's had to do the cookin' for me
IN Jerry-and II amt sure"
Bud did not wait to hear him out.
He went to the house and entered
BY way Of the kitchen. The disorder
here was sufficiently convincing
hat Marian was gone. so he tiptoed
across the room to a door thru which
he had never seen any one pass save
Lew and Marian.
1t was her bedroom. meagerly fur
lished. but in perfect order. On the
soods-box dresser a few cheap toilet
lay. with the comb across
/ nail file as IL she had put II down
before going out TO serve
supper to the men. Marian. then,
lad not stolen home to pack things
or the journey. Bud closed the door.
Hope was still with him. but II WAS
iarkened now with doubts.
WED him for more than three weeks
If work, so Bud collected from the
pantry as much as he could carry.
Dave owes me for work. Pop, so
took what grub | needed" he ex.
planned. I'm show you what I've |
rot, so you'll know I'm not taking |
lnything that I've no right to-" He |
yet down the sack. opened II. and |
ooked up into what appeared to be |
he largest-muzzled six-shooter he |
lad ever seen In his life.
NO we don't, young fellerw Pop
married. "Yuh think I'd let a horse
hief git off'n this ranch? You fork
yer that money you got on ye, first
hing yuh dol It's mine by rights"
Meekly. Bud reached into his
'ocket and got the money. Now
ghatY" he wanted to know.
Now you'll wait till Dave gifts
ere to hang yuh fer horse-stealing"
thrilled Pop.
Look out. Jerryr' called Bud,
quickly toward the bunk
Iouse.
Pop had without doubt been n man
ifficuit to trick in his youth, but he
vas old. He turned to see what was
grong with Jerry.
Look out, Pop, you'll bust a blood
essel II you don't quiet down." Bud
ensured mockingly. wrestling the
-un from the clawing, struggling old
nan in his arms.
wildcats Is nothing to Pop when
70 gets riled," Jerry grinned, com.
ng up on the run. what you want
one with him, Bud?"
Gag him and take him along
yhen I've got my money back"