, 1922-10-11

When state Trooper stormont rode
up 10 Clineh's with Eve strsyer lying
In his arms. Nike Clinch strobe out
OF the motley crowd around the tav-
srn, lad hIs rife against a tree. and
stretched forth his powerful hands to
receive his s~tepchiid.
He held her. Graded. looking down
at her in silence as h men clustered
around.
Eve, he said hoNrssiy, be you
hurted
The girl opened her sky.blue eyes.
I'm all right, dad. just tired.
i've got your parcel safe
ITO he'll with n soi-dinged parcel
he almost sobbed; did ouintsna
harm your.
No. lad.
As he carried her TO the veranda tho
packet fell from her cramped fingers.
Ciinch kicked IT under a chair and
continued on into the house ana UP
the stairs TO Ewes bedroom.
Flat on the bod. the SRI opened her
drowsy eyes again. unsniling.
Did that dirty louise misuse you
demanded Clinch unsteadily. "G'wan
tell me. grille"
He knocked me down. He
went away to get fire TO make me talk,
I cut up the blanket they gave me
and made a rope. Then I went over
the cliff into the big pine below. That
Was all. dad"
C'inch filled a tin 1asin and washed
tho girls torn feet. When he had
dried thcm he kissed them. She felt
his u~nshaven lips trembling, heard
him whlmper for the first time in his
life.
why the he'll didn't you give Quin.
tana the packet" he demanded.
what does that count for-what does
any damn thing N for against you,
Eirlie?'
She looked up at him out Of heavy
lidded eyes; You told me to take
good care OF IT"
ITS only a little truck I'd laid by
for you" he retorted unsteadily. "a
few trines for to make a grand lady
OF you when the times ripe. 'Tain't
worth a thorn in your little foot to
me. The hull Eol-dinged world
full o. money amt worth that there
s~tcne.bruise onto them little white feet
O. yourn, Eve.
Look at you now-my God. ook at
you there. all peaked an scairt an
bieed'n'-plum tuckered out, n all
ragged N dirty
\ blaze of fury flsred in his small
pale eyes: "-And he hit you. too.
did he?-that skunk! Q~uintana done
that to my little grille. did he7"
7 don't know II It yrs Quintana.
! don't know who he was, dad" she
murmured drowsily.
Masked, want he?r
Yes"
Cunch's iron visase twitched and
quivered. He gnawed his thin lips
into control:
"Girlie, 1 gotta 80 out a spell. But
I amt a-leaving' you alone here. IN
git somebody TO set UP with you. You
just lie snug and don't think about
nothin' till I come back"
Yes, 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 his
saddle. talking to Hal Smith. On the
porch a sullen crowd Of backwoods
riff-raff lounged in silence, awaiting
events.
C1inch called across to Smith: Hey.
Hal. g.wau up and set with Eve a
spell while she's naprj.'. Take a
gun
Smith said to stormont in a low
voice: DO me a favor. jack"
You bet"
THAT girl of clinch's is in real dan.
ger II left here alone. But rye got
another job on my hands. Can you
keep a watch on her TIL 7 return"
Can't 0 tell me a little more,
JIM"
q will. later. Do you mind helping
me out now"
IAN right"
Trooper stormont <un out OF his
saddle and led his horse away toward
the stable.
Hall Smith went into the bar where
Cineh stood oilins a rifle.
TIT going after ouintanH with you.
Nike"
"Bgosh. you amt. You're a-soin'
10 keep watch here"
NO. Trooper stormont has prom.
.sed TO stay with Eve. youn need
every mar today. Make. This isn't a
deer drive"
C,inch let his rine sag across the
hollow Of his left arm.
"DH you beef to that trooperT" h,
demanded in his pleasant. misleading
wav.
DO you think I'm ray retorts,
Smith.
We'll. what the he'll
They ali know that some man use