The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-04

No excitement n him reached
the surface. His remarkably
steady eyes still held their grim,
hard tenfeness, but otherwise his
self control was perfect. He was
shootin' wild. Sorry you were
here, MSS Crawford His eyes
swept the gathering crowd. YOU'D
better 90, don't yotI reckon2"
''Yes-You come 10, please. !"
The girls voice broke.
At the second corner he stop.
per, evidently intending 70 81 no
farther. "1t1 say goodby, for isis
time. Ill, want TO see Mr.. Craw.
ford right soon. I"
"can you come to see father,
tonightT'
Maybe tomorrow
Hell be anxious 70 see you.
want you and Bob 20 come to din
ier Sunday
Don't hardly think III be here
Sunday. My plans aren't settled.
Thank you just the same, Miss
Crawford.
She took h,s words as a direct
rebuff. There was q little lump Il
h@ throat that she had to get rid
Of before she spoke again.
Sorry. Perhaps some other
time" Joyce gave him her hand
,'I'm mighty glad to have senl you
again Mr.. Sanders. =
He bowed. THANK you.
After she had gone, Dave turn.
ed swiftly to his friend. where's
the nearest doctors officer Miller
got me IN the shoulder"
CHATTER XIV
To Crawford Dave made light OIL
his wound. II was only a scratch
"Tha's good son." Crawford an.
favored. .Well, now, what arc yot
aimin' to do?"
"oil5s said Dave without a mo.
ment of7{hesitation. II want to
learn that business from. the
ground up. I've boon reading all
could get on the subject. ~
Good enough, but don't yotie &C
to playin' geology TO strong. Dave
Oil Is where It's at !"
II suppose it's a gamble" agreed
Sanders.
'lWorse'n the cattle market
said the owner. OF tho D Bar Laxy
r. Bob, you better put Dave or
the crew OF that wildcat you're
spuddth' IN, don't you reckon7"
"l'll put him on afternoon tow,
er In the place OF that fellow Scott
Two been irSendin' TO fire him
soon as I could get a good man. Z,
It'll drive out tonight and take
Dave with me II he feels UP "a
It." said Bob. "Then we'll know
the foreman keeps humpin'."
They drove out in the blackboard
behind the half.sroken colts. The
young broncos went out OF town
to a flying start. They raced
across the plain as hard as they
could tear, the light rig swayins
behind them as the wheels hit thf
high spots.
Tho driver stopped at the loca
tion Of Jackpot Number Thres.
Make yourself to home, Dave
Family there came TO them tho
sound OF IN engine humping.
"Steelman's outfit" said Hart
gloomily. "Hts III old engine goe!
right on kickin' all the d,Tned
time. II he gets to oil first we
lose. Man who makes first dis.
covery on claim wins out Ia thls
country"
"And steelman won't stick at d
thing. Wouldn't trust him or an.
of his crowd any further than
could sling a bull by the tail. fTe't
blow Crawford and me sky high I.
he thought he could get away Wit,
t.
Sanders nodded agreement. He
hadn't a doubt OF &c.
"Hello, tho jackpot" - (
Bob looked at his companion aIit
grinned. Seems to me I recog.
pizo that meIojious voice /"
A man stepped from chs gloon
with mas erful, arrogant strides.
10, Hart" he said. Can yor
lend me. reamer7',
Bob knew he had come to spy
out the land and not to borrow
tools. {f
Don't seem To- me we've llardi,
got any reamers to spare Dug,
drawled the young man sitting Of
the porch floor. f7i.l
Suddenly Doble, recognized
Dave. He leaned forward, hii
| body rigid, danger written large j,
: :.