Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-10
CHAPTER XXXIlI
Olson Tells q Story

Olson Tells Story
NXIIlEN Rose heard from Esther next
w day she and Kirby took the Inter-
urban for Golden. Esther had written
that she wanted to see her sister because
Cole was going to take her back to
Wyoming at once.
The sisters wept in each others arms
and then passed together into Esthcr's
bedroom for an intimate talk. The
younger sister was still happy only IN
| moments of forgetfulness. though she
/ had been rescued from death In life. Cole
had found her comfortably situated at
farmhouse a mile or two back from
! the canyon. She had gone there under
the urge of her need, at the instigation
Of James Cunningham. who could not
afford to have the scandal OF his reia-
tions with her become public at tne
same time as the announcement or ms
marriage to Phyllis Hartman. Inc gir.
went out to him in a warm glow OF
gratitude. But the shadow OF her fault
was a barrier in her mind between them.
and would be long after his Kindness
had melted the ice in her bosom.
We've got It all fixed up to tell how
we was married when l come down to
Denver last April only we KEEP 1t quiet
because she wanted TO hold her job a
while" Cole explained to his friend.
"Onct I get her back there IN Goo
hills she'll sure enough forget all about
this trouble. The way look at 1t
she was JUS like a liz kid that takes
a misstep in the dark an falls an hurts
itself. You know how wounded deei
can look at fellow so sorrowtui an
hurt. Well. thn's how her brown eyes
looked Mt me when come rounu the
corner o. the house up Platte Canyon
an seen her sittin' there stor'n a'
| hell
Kirby shook hands with him in sud
den stress of emotion. You IL 90 10
will" ,,.
d;spust and embarrassment. II always
claimed to be a white man. didn't
You can't give a fellow credit for doin
the thing he'd rather do than anything
else. But prod a peg IN this; I'm
Gonna make that III girl plumb happy.
She thinks she won't be. that she lost
tho right to be. She's way off; | can
SEQ her pcrkin' up already got a
real honest to God laugh o'ta her 'h's
mo 'nn'.' :.
! E;ybv knew the ratiencc. the steadi-
ness and the kindliness OF MS iriend.
Esther had fallen into tie best OF hangs.
She would find again the JOY OF NE re
had no doubt of thnt. GaFct! ana
laughter were of her heritage.
Ho said as much to Rose on the way
homo She agreed. For the first time
since she left Cheyenne the girl was her
old self, Esther's problem had been
solved far more happily than she mad
! ,l,,oI ia hone
'"eI "I'm " goin' TO have gay time apol-
oo;z;,' to lack" said Kirby. his eyes
Somn;rr Sn,%r "It's not so blamed funny
NJ that, but ! can't help laughin' every
timo 7 think Of how he must a been
,rinuin' M his sleeve at me TOR my
fool mistake. III say lie brought 1t on
himself, though. He was feo'n guilty
on his brothers account. an didn
pct his embarrassment right: James
is pretty cool customer. FROM hrst
TO last he never turned nair "neh 'ne
what about him. Rose asked.
The cattleman pretended alarm.
Vow. don't you" he demonstrated.
.Dnn't YOU expect me tn manhsndle
lanes too. I'm like Napoleon. An.
othnr victorv like the battle Of last night
,yonid sure put me in the hospital. I'm
neoccablc citizen. a poor, lone COW :
boy far away from home. Where
como from its as quiet as peace con :.
ference. This. widest Denver stuff
gets my nerve.
She smiled into his battered face.
4 dimple nestled in her SOFT. warm
check. II see it does. It's pity
about you. ! didn't suppose your cousin
Jack had it in him to spoil your beauty
like that
Neither did l." he said, answering
ber smile. II sure picked on the wrong
man. Hes one handy lad with his d!bs
nut me down twice before we decided
TO call it off. like that young fell
low
Better not like him too much. You
may have to work against him yct:"'
True enough" he admitted, falling
grave again. 'As to James. We'll ride
close herd on him for while. but we u
| ride wide. Looks to me like he may
have to face a jury an fight for his
life right soon, ,,,.
Il don't want to think so. He's a
bad egg, I'm afraid. But my fathers
sister was his mother. I'd hate to have
| to believe it,
| but in your heart you do believe it, y
she said gently.
/ He looked at her. "I'm afraid so
But that's long way from knowing
it..
They parted at ber boarding house.
4 man rose to meet Kirby when h,
stepped into the rotundn of his hotel
He was a gaunt, broad. shoulderrd mar
with ragged eyebrows.
/ We'll, came he said, and hi
voice was harsh
"Glad to see you. Mr.. Olson. Com,
UP TO my room. We can talk ther'
Emore freely
The Scandinavian rancher FOLLOWED
him to the elevator and from there t.
his room.
why don't they arrest Hull?" h
demanded as soon as the door wa
closed.
Not evidence enough
"Suppose ! can give evidence. Sa
7 practically saw Hull do it. Woul'
they arrest him---or me?'
"They'd arrest him" Kirby an
swered. "Thcy don't know you're tn
man who wrote the threatening let
ter
"Hmp!" grunted the rancher suspi
ciously. "That's what you say, bu
you re not the whole works.
Kirby offered a chair and cigar
He sat down on the bed himself. "Bet
ter spill your story to me, Olson. Tw
heads are better than ons." b sai'
\ savssssily.