St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-04-22
Read 1.-The Big Town Round Up" by Vim. Mcleod Raine a
thrilling Western story beginning in this of The Farmer

It was the impatient porter who In
terrupted them. The girl sprang up
TREMENDOUSLY to accept.
"Oh, please. Is it later" Her glance
swept down the car and took In the
fact that her section alone was not
made up. II didn't know-why, what
time is it,"
Most twelve, ma'am," replied the
aggrieved porter severely.
She flashed look of reproach at
her companion and blushed again as
she fled with her bag to the ladies'
dressing room.
The train was rolling through the
cornfelds of the Middle West when the
Arizonan awoke. He was up early,
but not long before Kitty Mason, who
was joined at once by Durand.
"Shucks! Nothin' to 1t a-tan," the
range-rider assured himself. THAT
liz girl must have the number of this
guy. She's f1irtin' with him to beat
three Of kind, but I'll bet dogie
she knows right where she's at"
Clay did not In the least believe his
own argument. If he had come from a
city he would have dismissed the mat
ter as none Of his business. But he
came from the clean Southwest where
every straight girl Is under the pro-
lection Of every decent man. If she
was In danger because Of her inno-
cence it was up to him to look after
her. There was no more competent
man In Graham county than Clay
Lindsay. but he recognized that this
was delicate affair In which he must
move war,ly.
On his way to the diner at noon the
range-rider passed her again. She was
alone for the moment and as she
leaned back her soft round throat
showed beating pulse. Her cheeks
were burning and her starry eyes were
looking into the future with a happy
smile.
"You pore little maverick" the man
commented silently.
The two had the table opposite him.
AS the wheels raced over a culvert to
the comparative quiet Of the ballasted
track beyond. the words Of the man
reached Clay.
and we'll have all day to
see the city, Kid"
Kitty shook her head. There was
hesitation In her manner, and the man
was quick to make the most Of it.
"And 1t won't cost you a cent, grille"
he added.
But the long lashes Of the girl lifted
and her baby-blue eyes met his with
shy reproach. II don't think I ought"
she breathed, color sweeping her face
In vivid flame.
"You should worry" he scoffed.
Lindsay knew the girl was weaken
ing. She was no match for this big.
dominant, two-fsted man.
The jaw Of the COW puncher set.
This child was not fair game for q
man like Durand. When Clay rose to
lesve the diner he knew that he meant
to sit in and take hand.
The train was creeping through the
thickly settled quarter where the poor
er people are herded when Clay
touched Durand on the shoulder.
Like to see you a moment In the
vestibule," he said in his gentle voice.
The eyes Of the two men met and
the gambler knew at once that this
man and he were destined to be en-
emies.
No man had ever said that Jerry
Durand was not game. He rose prompt
ly and followed the westerner from the
car, swinging along with the light, cat
like tread acquired by many pug1lists
The floor Of the vestibule had been
raised and the outer door Of the car
opened. Durand found time to won
der why.
The cowpuncher turned on him with
an abrupt question. 'Cen you swimr
The eyes Of the ward boss narrowed.
"What's that to your he demanded
"Nothin' to me, but a good deal to
you. I'm Amin to drop you In the
river when we Cross
IFS that soT' snarled Durand.
You're quite joker, amt you? Well,
suit me. But let's get this clear SO
Wen know where we're at. What's
a1lin' you, rube7''
Il don't like the color of yore hair
or the cut Of yore Clothes" drawled
Lindsay. you've got a sure-enough
bad eye, and I'm tired Of travelin' in
gore company. Let's get off, me Or
you one"
In the slitted eyes Of the Bowery
graduate there was no heat at all.
They were bleak as heavy winter
morn. "Suits me fine You'll not travel
With me much farther. Here's where
you beat the place."
The professional dashed out sudden
y with his left. But Clay was not at
he receiving end Of the blow. Always
luIck as lightning, he had ducked and
,linched. His steel-muscled arms tight
,ned about the waist Of the other. A
,hort-arm Jolt to the cheek he disre-
,arded.
Before Durand had set himself to
meet the plunge he found himself fly
ng through space. The gambler caught
It the rail, missed 1t, landed on the
.inders beside the roadbed, was flung
instantly from his feet, and rolled over
ND rvar Ioxrn on fpc}ipa RI q 7nl1ddv