New Britain herald., 1922-03-13
CHAPTER I.

But why don't you do something Bill?" demanded Sam Prescott's pretty daughter
 Bill Wingo looked at Miss Prescott in injured astonishment. Do some thing" he repeated, What do you want me to do?"
 You make me tired, Bill. Here you've got a claim and little bunch Of cows. Instead of working like q man you loaf like a-a-"
 Like a loafer," he prompted.
 Bill can't you understand that like you, and"
 Easily" he grinned "Of course you like me. Youll have to marry me, I'm afraid, Sally Jane"
 "I will, will I? And you're afraid, are your You big, overgrown, lazy lummox. l wouldn't marry you ever"
 "I know you mean well, Sally Jane, and"
 And it's none of my business? :? You're quite right, Bill-but can't you see I'm talking for your own good?"
 Sure, yes. My pa used to talk just like that before he'd go out be- hind the corral with a breeching- strap in one hand and my ear in the other. l used to hurt most unpleas- ant for two-three days after. Old times, old times. Now, I take it you were never licked, Sally Jane. That was a mistake. You should have been What? You don't mean to say you're going home? And we were getting along so nicely too. Well, if willful must, she must. I'll hold your horse for you"
 He watched her ride away along the side of Linny's Hill
 The view from Linnys Hill was all that could be desired. At the base of tFe hill the Golden Hillsville trail led the eye westward to where Golden Bar, collection of toy houses, each one startingly clear in that rarefied atmosphere, sprawled along the further bank of Wagonjack River.
 Crocker county 400 miles long by 300 miles wide, bounded on the east by the Wagonjack, ran well up into the Medicine Mountains.
 Political pickings in Crocker were consistently good. Crocker laws, pro- vided the suspected person or per sons were friendly with the county officials, were not administered with undue severity. Coarse work was never tolerated, naturally; but if one were judicious and good picker, one could travel far and protitably. Crock for easy consciences.
 Bill Wingo watched the moving pencil end that was Miss Prescott.
 Another pencil end was riding the same trail-away from Golden Bar,
 Bill Wingo intently scrutinized the wayfarer from Golden Bar side.
 Looks like Jack Murrays sorrel,' he unused. If they stop, it's Jack
 The pencil ends drews together at the lower end of the grove. They stopped.
 "Shucks," Mir. Wingo muttered mildly. "I never did like that man."
 Said the first pencil end to the sec
 Morning, Jack" ..
 'I'll ride along with you.'
 "All right. At times I've known you to be amusing, Jack.
 He spurred alongside and turned in his saddle to stare at her.
 "Is that all I'm good for--to help pass the time?"
 What else is a man good for?'
 Don't be so flip, Sally Jane. You know" He stopped short.
 She waited a moment. Then, T know what?" '"You know I've been loving you a II didn't want to tell you till I had something to offer you besides my self. And now I've got something Rafe Tuckleton has promised to make me sheriff.
 'I thought the voters usually de- cded such things" said she.
 He laughed cynicaly. Not in Crocker. We'll, what do you say?"
 She looked at him cooly. What is this---a proposal?" ..... -
 Don't you understand" he said earnestly. Don't you understand that I love you, Sally Jane? And want you.'
 Sally Jane continued to look at him.
 1T understand that you want me-" she told him calmly. Why not? My type appeals to your type, that's all. Appeals physically, I mean. You'd like to possess me, but you don't love me, Jack Murray"
 I'm gonna marry you," he per sisted.
 Jamming his horse against hers he pinioned both her hands with his right, swung his left arm round her waist and crushed her gasping against his chest. She struggled; but he was a man, and strong. Forcing the back of the hand that confined her two hands under her chin, he tilted her head up and backwards. Once, twice and again he kissed her mouth.
 There" he muttered, releasing her so abruptly that she almost fell out of the saddle and only saved herself by catching the saddle horn with both hands. There, I've heard you boast ed that no man had ever kissed you. We'll you're kissed now, and you won't forget it in a hurry"
 Had she had a gun, she would have shot the man. But she did not have a gun--nor any other weapon. She had even dropped her quirt some- where. u