Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1922-10-07
By Stanley

said very softly.
Tho dancing had become bo.s''''
Gus but not unsccmly, although aa
the men had been drinking too ire .y.
Smith closed the pantry Tar al
midnight. by direction OF Eve Now
no came out into the ballroom and
mixed anably with the company.
even dancing with Harvey Chase's
sister once--a slender hoyden. all
flushed and dlshevelcd. with tire
less mania FOR dancing which seemed
TO lntoxlcate her.
She danced. danced. danced, &c.
cepting any partner offered. But
Smiths skin enrapturod her and she
refused to let him 20 when her beau.
a late arrival. one Charlie Berry.
slouchod up TO claim her.
Smith, always trying 10 keep
Cllnch and Quintanas men In view.
took no part In the discussion: but
Berry thought he was defining Lily
Chase and pushed him aside.
Hold on, young mani exclaimed
Smith sharply. Keep your hands
20 yourself II your girl don't wan.
70 dance with you she doesn't have
to-"
Some OF Quintana's gang came up
to listen. Berry giagcd IL, Smith.
SAY" be said, Il seen you before
somewhere. Wasn't YOU Ia Russ.sy'
What are you talking aboutG"
Yes, you was You was an OF
acer. What you doing at Clnch's7"
What's that?' growlcd Cl.nch.
showing bis way forward and Shout.
doring tho crowd aside.
who's this man. Mixer" demand.
ed Berry.
We'll. who do you think he ISL
asked Cllnch thlckly.
Il think he's gettin' the goods on
YOU. that's what / think" yelled
Berry
&C wan home. Charlie" returned
Clinch. "Gwan. all o you. The
dance Is over. Go peaceaDle. every
one. Stop that fiddle"
The music ceased. The dance was
ended: they all understood that: bu,
there was grumblng and demands
FOR drinks.
Cllnch, drunk but implss,ve. herd.
ed them through the door out into
the starlight There was scgfAlug
horse play. bat no fighting.
The bis Eng.ishman. Harry Beck,
asked Tor accommodations Tor bis
party over night.
Nav" said Clnch. "gwan back
TO the Inn. | can't bother with you
folks tonight" And as the others.
Salzar. Georglades. Plcquet and
Sanchez gathered about TO insist;
Cllnch pushed them all on, OF doors
In a mass.
Get the hell out o. hereF' he
growled and slammed the door.
lie stood for a moment with head
lowered. drunk. but apparently cap
able OF reflection. Eve came from
the melodcon and laid one slim hand
on his arm.
Go to bed. grille" he said. no,
looking at her.
you also. dad"
NO. 4. got business with Hal
Smith"
Passing Smith. the girl whispered:
You look out for him and undress
him."
Smith nodded. gravely preoccupled
with coming events. and nerving
himself to NEE; them.
lie had no gun. Clinch's big
automatic bulged under his armpit
When the girl had assembled the
creaking stairs and her doQo above.
closed. Clinch walked 0s'sadlly 10
the door. opened It. nshed out his
pistol.
Come on out" he said without
turning.
"Weere2q spqulred Smith.
cllnca t0rntd. lifted his square
head: ana the deadly glare In his
eyes left Smith silent
You comin'7"
sure" said Smith quietly.
But clinch gave him no chance
10 close IN: It was death even 70
swerye. Smith walked slowly into
the starlight. ahead OF Clinch-
slowly forward IN the luminous
darkness.
Keep going" came cllneh's auie,
4
had entered the woods-"Bcar to the
right"
Smith knew now. The low woods
were full OF slnk.holes. They were
headed for the nearest one
CONTINUED In Our Next Issue,