Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-10-13
EPISODE FOUR
A Private War
CHAPTER I

up to Cnnoh's with Dive Strayer y
ing in his arms. Mike Clinch stroc
out Of the motley crowd around tn
tavern. laid his rife against a ire
and stretched forth his powerfi
hands to receive his stepohfld.
He held her. Graded, looking dow
at her in silence as the men clustere
around.
Eve" he said hoarrsfy. -bs 20
hurted2"
The girl opened her ssy-biue eye
I'm ell right, dad. .. Jus
tired. I've got your parcs
safe. :"
ITO hell with the gol-dinged par
cell" he almost sobbed; did ouin
tana harm your"
mo. dad"
As he carried her TO the verandi
the packet fell from her crampei
fingers. Clinch kicked It under {
chair and continued on into tn
house and up the stairs TO Ewes bed
room.
Flat on the bed. the girl opened
her drowsy eyes again. unsmiling
did that dirty louise misuse your
demanded Clinch unsteadily. "G'war
tell me. grille"
"He knocked me down. Z
He went away to get fire 10 make me
talk. cut up the blanket they gave
me and made a rope. Then went
over the cliff into the big pine be-
low. That was all. dad"
Cnnch filed az tin basin and
washed the girls torn feet. When
he had dried them he kissed them.
She felt his unshaven lips trembling,
heard him whimper for the flrst time
in his life.
'Why the he'll didn't you give
Quintana the packet ?" he demanded
what does that count for-what
does any damn thing count for
against you. girlie?"
she looked up at him out OF heavy
lldded eyes; you told me TO take
good care of H."
TITS only little truck I'd laid by
for you" he retorted INSTABILITY
few trlfes for TO make grand lady
OF you when the times ripe. 'Tain't
worth a thorn in your little foot to
me. The hull gol-dinged world
full o. money amt worth that there
stone-bruise onto them little white
feet o. yourn Eve.
'sLook At you now-my God, look
at you there, all peaked an scairt
an bleedln'-plum tuckered out, n
all ragged m dirty"
A blaze OF fury hared in his small
pale eyes: And he hit you, too.
did he?-that skunk Quintana done
that to my little grille, did he?'
II don't know II It was oulniana
I don't know who he was. dad" she
murmured drowsily.
Masked, want he7"
yes"
cllnch's iron visage twitched and
quivered. He gnawed his thin lips
into control:
''Girlie. gotta go out a spell. But
I amt a-ieavin' you alone here. I'll
git somebody to set up with him. You
just lie snug and don't think about
nothin' TIL I come back"
Eyes. dad" she sighed, closing her
eyes.
Clinch stood looking at her for a
moment, then he went downstairs |
heavily. and out TO the veranda
where State Trooper stormont still
sat in saddle. talking to Hal Smith.
On the porch a sullen crowd OF back
woods riff-raff lounged in silence, |
awaiting events.
Clinoh called across TO Smith
"Hey. Hal. g'wan up and set with |
Eve a spell while she's nappin'
Fake gun"
Smith said TO stormont in a low
voice: do me favor. Jack?"
You bet"
''That girl OF ciinch's is in real
danger Il left here alone. But I've
got another Job on my hands. Can
you keep watch on her TIL I re
turn?"
"can't you tell me little more,
Jim?"
q will. later DO you mind help
ing me out now?"
''Ali right"
Trooper stormont swung out of
HE saddle and led his horse away
toward the stable.
Hal Smith went into the bar where
Glitch stood oiling a rife.
I'm going after oulntanA with
you, Mike"
'B'gosh. you amt You're a-goin
10 keep watch here"
NO. Trooper Stormont has prom
ised to stay with Eve. You'll need
every man today, Nike This isn't
q deer drive"
Ciinch let his rife sag across the
hollow OF his left arm.
did you beef to that trooper?"
he demanded in his pleasant. mis-
leading way.
do you think I'm orazy7" re-
torted Smith.
We'll, what the he'll"
They all know that some man
used your girl roughly. That's all
said to him-'keep an eye on Eve
until we can get back And / tell
you. Mike, II we drive Star Peak we
won't be back till long after sun
down"
Clipch growled: II amt never
asked no favors Of no State Troop
err"
He did you a favor. didn't he?
EA brought your daughter 10"