Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-08-03
Observation-Disclosures
The Bie-Iown Round pE
E By William Macleod Raine e
= Copyright by William MacLeod Raine =
Copyright by William Macleod Raine

xN0AkAC @ H"'I
Macleod Raine =
Observation-Disclosures
this was a delicate affair in which he
must move ,warily.
On his way to the diner at noon the
ranse-rider passed her again She was
leaned back her soft round throat
showed a beating pulse. Her cheeks
were burning, and her starry eyes
were looking into the future with a
happy smile.
You pore little maverick" the man
commented silently.
The two had the table opposite him.
A. the wheels raced over a culvert to
the comparative quiet Of the ballasted
track beyond, the words of the man
reached Clay.
. and we'll have all day to
e the city, Kid"
Kitty shook her head. There was
hesitation in her manner. and the
man was quick to make the most Of
1t. And it won't cost you a cent,
grille" he added.
But the long lashes of the girl lift
ed. and her baby-blue eyes met his
"A$A SAy A0PA O0Sus i OVu L t1IAIIk !
ought" she breathed, color sweeping
her face in a vivid flame.
you should worry" he scoffed.
:, Lindsay knew the girl wa weaken
ing. She was no.match for this big,
dominant, two-fsted man.
The Jaw Of the Gov puncher set.
This child was not fair game for a
man like Durand. When Clay rose to
leave the diner. he knew that he
meant to sit in and take a hand.
The train was creeping through the
thickly settled quarter where the
poorer people are herded, when Clay
touched Durand on the shoulder.
Like to see you a moment in the
vestibule," he said in his gentle voice.
h eyes of h two men met and
the gambler knew at once hat this
man and he were destined to be en-
emies.
No nan had ever said that Jerry,
Durand was not game. He rose
promptly and followed the westerner
from the car, swinging along with the
light, cat-iike tread acquired by many
pugilists. "
The floor of the vestibule had been
raised and the outer door of the car
opened. Durand found time to won
der why.
The cowpuncher turned on him
with an abrupt question, Can you
swim ?"
The eyes of the ward boss narrow
ed. Whats that to you?" he de-
manded truculently.
"Nothin' to me, but a good deal to
you. I'm amin to drop you in the
river when we cross"
is that so?" snarled Durand.
You're quite a Joker, amt you?
Well, suit me, but let's get his clear
so we'll know where we're at. What's
ailin' you. rube?"
Il don't like the color Of yore hair
or the cut of yore clothes drawled
Lindsay. You've got a sure-enough
bad eye and I'm tired Of traveEn' in
yor company. Let's get of. me Or
you one"
In the slitted eyes of the Bowery
graduate there was no heat al all.
They we're bleak as a heavy winter
NORM. Suits me fine. You'll not
travel with her much farther. Here's
where you beat the place.
The professional dashed out sudden
ly with his left. But Clay was not
at the receiving end of the blow. Al
ways. quick as lightning. he had duck
ed and clinched. His steel-muscled
arms frightened about the waist of the
other. A short-arm jolt to the cheek
he disregarded.
Before Durand had set himself to
meet the plunge he found himself fly
ing through space. The gambler
caught at the rail. missed it, landed
in the cinders beside the roadbed, was
flung instantly from his feet, and roll
ed over and owe down an incline to
a muddy gully.
Clay. hanging to the brass railing,
leaned out and looked hook. Durand
had staggered to his feet. plastered
with mud from head to knees. and
was shaking furiously a fist at him.
The face of the man vas venomous
with rage.
The c~owpuncher waved a debonair
hand and mounted the steps again.
The porter was standing in tho YES
thule looking at him with amaze
ment.
You throwed a man off'n this
train, mistah.' he charged.
$50 I did" admitted Clay. and to
save his life he could 10 keep from
smiling.
The porter sputtered. This beat
anything in his previous experience.
"But-but-it amt allowed to omen
up the cab. Was you-all havin'
trouble?"
mo trouble a-tall. He bet me a
cigar I couldn't put him off"
Clay palmed a dollar and handed it
to the porter as he passed into the
Oh iAS |JSS vi LILO III Gu Oul-
cha rolled after him. The book of
rules did no say anything about
wrestling matches in the vestibule.
Besides, it happened that Durand had
called him down sharply not an hour
before. He decided to brush off his
passengers inc forget what he had
seen.
Clay stopped in front of Kitty and
said he hoped she would have nc
trouble making her transfer in the
city. The girl vas no fool. " She had
sensed the antagonism that had flareG
up between them in hat momen'
when they had faced each other five
minutes before.
Where's Mr.. Durand?" she asked
"He got on"
But the train hasn't stopped
TITS just crawlin' along, and he wa,
in a hurry"
Her gaze rested upon an angr,
bruise on his cheek. 1t had not beer
ehere before.
IT don't understand it," she muir
hured. half to herself. why woult
he get Of before we reached the de-
pot?"
She was full Of suspicion. and tn,
bruise on the westerner's cheek die
not tend to allay them. They wer,
stillNlnsatished when the porter tool
her to the end OF he car to brusl
her clothes. Y