The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-08-04

"YOu should worry ne Sconeu.
Lindsay knew the girl was weaken
ing. She was no match for this big
dominant, two-fisted man.
The jaw Of the COW puncher set.
This child was not fair game for
man like Durand. When Clay rose to
leave the diner he knew that he meant
TO sit in and take hand.
Tho train was creeping through the
thickiy settled quarter where the poor
er people are herded when Clay
touched Durand on the shoulder.
like to see you a moment In the
restibule." he said in his gentle voice.
The eyes Of the two men met and
the gambler knew at once that this
man and he were destined to be en-
emies.
No man had ever said that Jerry
Durand was not game. He rose prompt
" and followed the westerner from the
car. swinging along with the light, cat
like tread acquired by many pugilists.
Tie 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 narrowed.
"What's that to your he demanded
trucnlently.
"Nothln' to me, but good deal to
you. I'm amin to drop you in the
river when we cross"
us that so?" snarled Durand.
"You're quite joker. amt you? Well,
suit me. But let's get this clear SO
well know where we're at. What's
ailin' you, rubef"
II 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 travelin' in
yorei company. Let's ger off, me or
you one"
In the slitted eyes Of the Bowery
graduate there was no heat at all.
They were bleak as a heavy winter
morn. "Suits me fine. You'll not travel
with me 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. Always
quick as lightning, he had ducked and
| clinched. His steel-muscled arms tight
ened about the waist of the other. A
short-arm jolt to the cheek he disre-
garded.
Before Durand had set himself to
meet the plunge he found himself fly
ing through space. The gambler caught
at the rail, missed 1t, landed on the
scinders beside the roadbed, was flung
instantly from his feet. and rolled over
and over down an incline to muddy
gully.
| Clay, hanging to the brass railing,
leaned out and looked back. 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 was venomous with
rage.
The cowpuncher waved a debonair
hand and mounted the steps again.
The porter was standing in the vestt-
hule looking at him with amazement.
"You throwed man off'n this train.
mistah," he charged.
$50 l did," admitted Clay, and to
3 save his life he could net keep from
, smiling.
e The porter sputtered. This beat any
thing in his previous experience. "But
e butt amt allowed to open up th'
cult- Was you-all havin' trouble|
: "No trouble a-tsll. he bet me
cigar couldn't put him off,"
Clay palmed dollar and handed
} to the porter as he passed into tn
car. The eyes of that outraged officia
rolled after him. The book OF rule
did not say anything, about wrestling
matches In the vestibule. Besides, j
happened that Durand had called hir
down sharply not an hour before. ii
I decided to brush off his passengers an
$ forget what he had seen.
Clay stopped in front Of Kitty an
said he hoped she would have n
e trouble making her transfer In tn
e city. The girl was no fool. She ha
7. sensed the sntagonism that had flare
o up between them in that moment vine
they had faced each other five minute
e before.
I "Where's Mr.. DurandT' she asked
S "He got off,"
t 'sBut the train hasn't stopped"
e sits just crawlin' along, and ne WI
In hurry"
IS Her gaze rested upon an angl
q bruise on his cheek. II had not bee
L there when last she saw him.
e II don't understand It," she mu
e INJURED, half to herself. why wou
D. he get Off before we reached the d
he potT
o. She was full of suspicious. and u
er bruise on the westerner's cheek q
1t not tend to allay them. They we
~ still unsatisfied when the porter to-
Is her to the end Of the car to bru
st her clothes.
The discretion of that young M
ne had Its limits. While he brushed t
as girl he told her rapidly what ne n
hA