Evening journal., 1922-03-13
CHAPTER I.

Billa' demanded Sam Prescotts
pretty daughter.
Bill wingo looked at Miss Pres
colt in injured astonishment. "Do
something?" he repeated. What
do you want me TO dot"
"You make me tired. Bill. Here
you've got a claim and little
bunch Of COWS. Instead OF working
like man you loaf like a-a--"
Like a loafer." he prompted.
"Bnl. can't you understand that
l like you, and"
Easily, he grinned. "Of course
you like me. Youn have to marry
me, I'm afraid. Sally Jane"
Il will. will 1. And you're afraid.
are you? You big. overgrown. lazy
iummox. wouldn't marry you
ever"
Il know you mean well, Sally
Jane and"
And It's none OF my business?
You're quite right. Bill-but can't
you see I'm talking for your own
good ?"
sure, yes. My pa used to talk
Just like that before he'd go out
behind the corral with a breeching-
strap in one hand and my ear in the
other. l used TO hurt most unpeas-
ant for two-three days after. Old
times. old times. Now. I take IL
you were never licked. Sally Jane.
That was a mistake. You should
have been What7 You don't
mean to say you're going homer
And we were getting along so nicely,
too Well. II Willful must. she must
III hold your horse for you"
He watched her ride away along
the side OF Linny's Hill.
The view from Linny's Hill was
all that could be desired. At the
base OF the hill TIE Golden Bar
Hillsvile trail led the eye westward
to where Golden Bar. collection of
toy houses. each one startlingly
clear in that rarefied atmosphere.
sprawled along the further bank OF
Wagonjack river.
Crocker county, 400 miles long by
100 miles wide bounded on the east
~ the Wagoniack. ran well up into
he Medicine Mountains.
Political pielkings in Crocker were
consistently good. Crocker laws,
,rovlded the suspected person or
persons we're friendly with the
county officials. we're not admins
:ered with undue severity. Coarse
work was never tolerated, natural
y: but II one were judicious and a
rood picker, one could travel far
md profitably. Crocker was. as
counties go. fertile ground for easy
consciences.
Bill Wingo watched the moving
pencil end that was Miss Prescott
Another pencil end was riding the
same trail-away from Golden Bar.
BIZ Wingo intently scrutinized
the -wayfarer from Golden Bar side.
Looks like Jack Murray's sor-
rel" he unused. III they stop. It's
Jack"
The pencil ends drew together az
the lower end OF the grove. They
stopped.
"shucks." Mr.. wingo muttered
mildly. Il never did like that man"
Said the nrst pencil end TO the
second pencil end, Hello, Sally
Jane"
Morning. Jack"
iii ride along with you"
"All right. At times I've known
you TO he amusing. Jack"
He spurred alongside and turned
in his saddle TO stare at her.
rs that all I'm good for-to help
pass the timer"
what else is a man good for?"
Don't be so Zip, Sally Jane. You
know" He stopped short
she waited a moment. Then, Il
know WHAT"
you know I've been loving you
long. long time" he said abruptly
Il didn't want to tell you till l had
something TO offer you besides my
self And now I've got something
Rafe Tuckleton has promised to
make me sheriff"
Il thought the voters usually de-
cided such things" said she.
He laughed cynicaily. mot In
Crocker. Well. what do you say?'
She looked at him coolly. what
is this--a proposal?"
Don't you understand" he said
earnestly. Don't you understand
that love you, Sally Jane7 And
want you"
Sally Jane continued to look a
him.
I understand that you want me,
she told him calmly. why not
Ny type appeals TO your type, that
all. Appeals physically, 1 mean
You'd Ike to possess me, but yol
don't love me. Jack Murray"
I'm gonna marry you" he per
sisted
Jamming his horse against her
he pinned both her hands with hi
right swung his left arm round he
waist and crushed her gaspin
against his chest. She struggled
but he was a man. and strong. Fore
ing the back Of the hand that con
fined her two hands under her chir
he tilted her head up and back
wards. Once. twice and again h
kissed her mouth.
There" he muttered. releasin
her so abruptly that she almost Re
out OF the saddle and only saved hel
self by catching the saddle horn wit
both hands. There. I've heard yc
boasted that no man had ever kisse
you. Well you're kissed now ar
you won't forget It in a hurry
Had she had a gun, she wou
have shot the man. But she did n
have a gun-nor any other weapo
She had even dropped her qui
somewhere.
"Ohl" she cried. striking her fis