The Holbrook news., 1922-07-21

| else. I'm awful sorry I scared you I'd eat dirt if it would do any good but it won't. I'm just plumb idiot reckon I'll be pushin' on my reins. He turned toward the window.
 Stop right there where you're at, she ordered sharply. 'Take a step to that window and I'll holler for harness bull like a Bowery bride get tin a wallopin' from friend husband. gotta have an explanation. And who told you I was scared? Forget that stuff. Take 1t from Annie that she ain't the kind that scares."
 "I came to see some one else. but l got in the wrong house." he explained again lamely.
 That's twice I heard both them in- terestin' facts. Who Is this goil you was comin' through window to see in the middle O the night. And what's that gat for if 1t ain't to croak some other guy? You oughtta be ashamed of yourself for not pullin' a better wheeze than that on me-"
 Clay blushed. In spite of the slangy impudence that dropped from the pretty red lips the girl was slim and looked virginal.
 You're way of. wasn't callin' on her to-" He stuck hopelessly.
 "Whadya know about that?" she came back with obvious sarcasm. You soitainly give me pain. I'll say you weren't callin' to arrange no Sunday school picnic. Listen. Look at that wall minute. will you?"
 When he turned again at her order she was sitting on the side of the bed wrapped in kimono, her feet in bed room slippers. He saw now that she was a slender-limbed slip of girl. The lean forearm, which showed bare to the elbow when she raised it to draw the kimonO closer round her, told Clay that she was none too well nourished
 It occurred to him that she might give him information of value He told her the story of Kitty Mason. He could see by the girls eyes that she had jumped to the conclusion that he was in love with Kitty. He did not attempt to disturb that conviction. It might enlist her sympathy.
 Annie Millikan had never seen a man like this before, so clean and straight and good to look at. From tile fringe of that underworld the at mosphere of which is miasmic. She was impressed in spite of herself.
 Say. why don't you go into the movies and be one of these here screen ideals? You'd knock 'em dead" she advised fllppantly, crossing her bare ankles.
 Clay laughed. He liked the insolent little twist to her mouth. She made one strong appeal to him. This bit of girl. so slim that he could break her in his hands, was game to the core He recognized it as a quality of kin ship.
 How do you know the girl ain't a badger-worker? You wantta go slow when you tackle Jerry Durand. I can ttll you Oue iHiuS. Ilc HI tillS DuSl- ness up to the neck. I seen his shadow, Gorilla Dave, comin' Outa the house next door twice today"
 "Seen anything of the girl?'
 Nope. But she may be there Hon. est, you're up against a tough game Why don't you lay down on it?" she asked, her frank eyes searching his. You soitainly will if you've got good sense"
 I'm goin' through"
 Her black eyes warmed Say, I'll bet you're some guy when you get started. Hop to it and hope you get Jerry good. Say, listeni I got a hunch mebbe it's bum steer. but you can't be sure till you try it. Why don't you get in through the roof in stead O the window?'
 Gan I get in that w;y?"
 "Surest think you know-if the trap door ain't latched. Say, stick around outside my room half a sec. will you?"
 The cattleman waited in the dark ness of the passage. If his enemies