The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-01
4 face, and fastened On Brad steel

lace Anu VI bEaQ foteel'
ma.
steelman laughed uneasily.
well, ! reckon you've kinda up.
set my plans EN-. 'Conrbe I was d.
coddin, you. I didn't aim 10 hurt
you none, though I'd "a liked to
have talked you outa the water.
holes. Z"
The big cattleman ignored this
absolutely. s.Have q team hitched
up right away Shorty viii tend to
that. Bob, tiegu yore friends haid
With a handkerchief
Hart thrust his revolver back in
to its hostier.i He was willing TO
trust Crawford to dominate this
group Of Slawless foes, every one Of
whom held some deep srudge
against him.
you'll drive US, steelman,s an.
nounced Crawfird.
"Meip screamed the leader OF
the other faction. you got the
most nerve ! ever did see
You'll drive,e the cattlen1an Re.
peated steadily.
The weak spot in steelman's
leadership was that he was per-
sonally not game.
"oh, well, what's Il matter? We
can talk things over on the way.
Me, I'm not lookin' for trouble
none" he said, his small black
Dyes moving restlessly TO watch
the effect OF this on his men.
CHAPTER VII
Joyce came flying to her fathers
arms. She threw herself at craw.
ford with a moaning little sob.
"oh Dad-Dad-!n she cried,
and her olonder arms went round
his neck.
you're not-hurt," she begged
through her tears.
Not none. Never was huskier.
But ] got a boy out here that's
beat up some. Come In. Dave
and you, Bob"
Dave was up and ready to say
goodby within forty eight hours.
He was still a bit under par, a
.trifle washed.out. hut he wanted to
take the road In pursuit of Miller
and Doble, who had again decamp-
ed N a hurry with the two horses
they had stolen.
They had the broncos hid up
Frio Canon way, l reckon" ex.
planned Hart. We're not liable 10.
find them after they hole up in
some mountain pocket"
Might. Lots take a whirl at It
anyhow" urged Dave.
Hate TO give up your paint boss
don't you?" said Bob with h.s
friendly grin. "Ain't blamin' ycu
one whatever. I'd sleep on those
fellows trail IL CkIquito was.
mine"
When Joyce was in the room
where Dave lay on the lounge, the
young man mover looked at her,
but he saw nobody else.
What took him by the throat
was her goodness. She was en-.
shrined IN MS heart as, a young
saint. The sweetness of her affec-
ton for rough EN-. Crawford, the
dear, maternal tenderness with
which she ruled her three-year.old.
brother Keith motherless since the
week Of his birth, the kindness OF
the luminous brown eyes to the
uncouth stranger thrown upon her
hospitality, Dave treasured them
all as signs OF angelic grace, and
they played upon his heartstrings
disturbingly.
YES, we all want you to come
back" she said with a charming
smile: 7 think you saved fathers
life. We can't tell you how much
We owe you. Can we Keith?"
He shifted awkwardly to the
other foot, flushing to the hair
while he buried her soft little hand
In his big freckled one. The girl
showed no shyness Seventeen e
sometimes so much older than
twenty.
Emerson Crawford saunteded In
big and bluff and eaSy.going. "H,t-
tin the trail, boys? Hope you find
the thieves. They're treacherous
devils. Don't take no chances with
EN-. ] left an order at the store
for you to draw on me for another
pair OF boots in place Of those you
lost in the brush Dave. Get a
good pair, son. They're on me-"
Continued In Our Next lssusN