The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-06-13

news gently.
Clay turned his head slowly and
looked ut Johnnie.
"Bromf1eld?" he asked.
"Yep. That's the story"
1.-THE ring was on the left hand"
"Yep."
CLAW made no comment. His friend
| knew enough to say no more to him.
Presently the cattlenan went out. 1t
was in the small hours of the morning
| when he returned. He had been
tramping the streets to get the fever
out Of his blood.
But Johnnie discussed with Kitty at
length this new development, just as
he had discussed with her the fact that
Clay no longer went to see the Whit
fords Kitty made a shrewd guess at
the cause of division. She had already
long since drawn from the cowpuncher
the story of how Miss Beatrice had re-
jected his proposal that she take an
interest in her.
"They must "a quarreled-likely
about me being here. I'm sorry you
told her"
II don't reckon that's 1t. Miss Bea-
trice she's got too good Judgment for
that"
II ought to 80 away. I'm only bring
ing Mr.. Lindsay trouble. If he just
could hear from his friends in Arizona
about that place he's trying to get me,
I'd 60 right off,"
He looked at her wistfully. Kitty
had begun to bloom again. Her cheeks
were taking on their old rounded con-
tour and occasionally dimples of de-
light flashed into them. Already the
marks of her six-weeks' misery among
the submerged derelicts Of the city
was beginning to be wiped from her
mind like the memory Of bad dream
from which she had awakened. Love
WAS a craving Of her happy, sensuous
mt,lre. She wanted to live in the sun,
among smiles and laughter She was
like a kitten in her desire to be petted,
made much Of and admired. Almost
anybody who liked her could win a
place in her affection.
Johnnie's case was not 50 hopeless
as he imagined it.
Over their goodnight smoke Clay
gave warning. .,, keep yore eyes
open, Johnnie. l was trailed to tho
house today by one Of the fellows with
Durand the night l called on him. 1t
spells trouble. I reckon the PEACHES
are going to leave the reservation
again."
"Say, Clay, amt you gettin' home
sick for the whinin' Of rawhide?
Wha's the matter with us hittin' the
dust for good old Tucson? I'd sure
like to chase cowtails again."
you can 80, Johnnie. I'm not ready
yet-quite. And when I go 1t won't
be because of any rattlesnake in the
grass"
"Whadyou mean 1 can 60? If this
Jerry Durand's trying to get you III
be there followin' yore dust old scout
'"There's more than one way to skin
cat. Nlebbe the fellow means to
strike ut ME through you or Kitty.
I've a mind to put you both on train
for the B-ln-a-BOx ranch.'
You can put the III girl on train.
You can't put me on none less'n you
so too" answered his shadow, stoutly.
"rhen see you don't get drawn into
any Quarrels while you and Kitty are
away from the house. Stick to the
lighted streets. l think I'll speak to
her about not lettin' any strange man
talk to her. think she had better not
go out unless one Of us Is with her."
"Suits me. And don't you take any
chances, oldtimer. That goes double.
I'm the cautious guy In this outfit, not
you.'
Within twenty-four hours Clay heard
some one pounding wildly on the outer
door Of the apartment and the voice
Of the cautious guy implorlng haste.
"Lemme in, Clay. Hurry! Hurry"
he shouted.
Lindsay was Mt the door in four
strides, but he did not need to see the
stricken woe of his friends face to
guess what had occurred. For Johnnie
and Kitty had started together to see
a picture play two hours earlier.
''They done took Kitty-in an auto"
he gasped. Right before my eyes.
Claimed a lady had tainted"
"Who took her2'7s'
II dunno. Some men. Turned the
trick slick. me never liftin' a hand.
Amt a heluva niarf?' r
Hold yore hawsses, son. Don't get
excited. Begin at the beginnin' and
tell me all about it." Clay told him,
quietly.
I'VE was comm home an I took
Kitty into that Red Star drug store
for to get her some ice cream. Well.
right after that heerd man say how
the lady had tainted"
"What LADY,"
"The, lady In the machine"
"Were you In the drug store?"s
mo. We'd jes' come out when this
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