Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-03-21
WILLIAM PATTERSON WHITE
em W 4
Litt1s Drown and 6uPaw+

,.x~ ''"-sA
robbery, rustling that chestnut horse
of Sam Larder's and now this MUIR
der. I always said Bill Wingo was
too good to be true"
Hazel Walton made no further re-
mark. She reached for the cheese
knife. Nate Samson ducked under
the counter. The ~cheeseknife
whirred within an inch Of his prick
ling scalp and stuck ~quivering in
the edge Of q shelf.
"Liar!" announced Hazel in q loud,
unsympathetic tone. I'm only sorry
I haven't a gun with me. Talking
like that about a man you're not fit
to say hello to. Here, I don't want
any Of this stuff! You a keep it."
So saying, she toppled over her
whole pile of wrapped purchases and
marched out of the store. Tho
marshal followed her to the door.
ITS all right, Nate" he said.
she's gone owe to the other store"
Arrived home, Hazel unhitched
and embarrassed, turned the team
into the corral and carried her pur-
them on the table. She hung up her
mans hat and f1uffed the hair by
the aid Of the mirror that hung be-
low the Terry clock her uncle had
brought west with him.. She had al
ways liked the Terry clock-fronl
the cheerful painted pumpkins and
grapes that graced the patterned top
to the peculiar throbbing ring It
gave on striking the hour, she liked
it.
And on a day the old clock was
destined to repay that liking full
measure, pressed down and running
over.
"'Lo, Hazel"
Hello, Sally Jane" she said smil-
ingly, as a face appeared at the door.
Put your horse in the corral and
come on in"
II tied him to the wagon said
Sally Jane. You look mad, DEAR"
she continued.
II am" declared Hazel. Listen to
what I heard in town this morning.
Nate told me-"
there now" she concluded.
What do you think of that for a
put-up job? Why. it's not ever
mo" agreed Sally Jane. "Too
many articles belonging to Bill.
Either the quirt or the hatband, but
not both. I'd like to know how they
got hold of them. Tip had enemies
several. But I'm afraid the gang
won't take that into consideration
much. All they'll be able to see is
the quirt and the hatband. Confound
it, Bill shouldn't have disappeared
this way. ALI his friends know he
didn't-couldn't have either held up
the stage or really rustled Sam Lar
der's precious horse. which, by the
,,,oyy fovY- -o,,I - A1A Ao~S -AAv
Sans corral this morning. Fact
dad told me. But why didn't Bill
stay and face the music? He should
have known he'd only hurt himself
by running off this way.
But I rode W here especially to
bring you back with me to stay as
long as you like"
Hazel shook her head. "Can't
dear. I'd like nothing better, but
I've just got to look after the
ranch"
When Sally Jane was gone Haze
started a fire in the stove. put on the
coffeepot and ground up enough cot
fee for four cupfuls. She liked cot
fee, did Hazel Walton.
Bacon and potatoes were sputter-
ing on the stove when the faintesl
of creaks at the door made heI
look up.
She did not move, just stood there
staring stupidity at the bareheaded
man that blocked the open doorway
For the ~bareheaded man was Dan
Slike, his harsh face rendered ever
less prepossessing than usual by q
weeks stubble OF beard. A six.
shooter was in Dan Slike's hand, and
the barrel was pointing at her breast
Don't go maxim any move to-
r,o~J that rSAo IN fho hAnEa he ok ~
you," said Dan Slike, slipping int
the room and closing the door be.
hind him. IF you do, I'll have to
beef you. Dish up that grub AIRY
ing there on the<stove. I'm hungry
Get a move on"
At that she turned in a flash and
reached for the Winchester. She
had it barely off the hooks when
Dan Slike was beside her. With his
left hand he seized the gun barrel
and showed it upward. And as he
did so, he smote her across the tor
of the head with his pistol barrel.
A rocketing sheaf Of sparks danced
before her eyes and her knees gave
way. He dragged the Winchester
from her falling grasp as h fell.
Hazel slowly raised her body to a
sitting position. She chung to a leg
of the table for support. She passed
a hand very tenderly across the TOP
of her head. She felt a little nau-
seated.
Dan Slike, watching her with
hard, bright eyes, strobe to the stove
and poured himself out a cup OF
coffee.
you'll be all right in about ten
minutes" he said calmly. II didn't
hit you so awful hard"
y He drank the coffee slowly. with
evident enjoyment.
He came and stood over her,
hands on hips, and looked down a,
her grimly. She shrank away, her
wide eyes fixed upon him in fright
! and loathing.
It was evident that he found his
survey of her satisfactory. for he
kicked her in the side. Not hard
Simply as an earnest Of what lay
in store for her. "Get up" he com
manded.
The ausea and most of the dizzy
feeling had evaporated. She was per-
fectly able to get up, but it was in
tolerable that she should do the bid
ding of her uncle's murderer. Sh'
continued to lie still.
Get up!" he repeated, and KICKED