The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-05-12


was delicate affair In which he must
move warily.
On his way to the diner at noon the
range-rlder passed her again. She was
alone for the moment and as she
leaned back her soft round throat
showed 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.
As the wheels raced over a culvert to
the comparative quiet of the balIasted
track beyond, the words Of the man
reached Clay.
=. and we'll have all day to
see 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 1t won't cost you cent, grille"
he added.
But the long lashes of the girl lifted
and her baby-blue eyes met his with
shy reproach. II don't think l ought"
she breathed, color sweeping her face
In vivid flame.
"You should worry" he scoffed.
Lindsay knew the girl was weaken
ing. She was no match for this big.
dominant two-fsted man.
The jaw of the COW 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 poor
er 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.
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
ly and followed the westerner from the
car. swinging along with the light, cat
like tread acquired by many pugllIsts.
The floor of the vestlbule 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.
whats that to you'll" ne demanded
truculently.
"Nothin' to me, but a good deal to
you. I'm aimin'. to drop you In the
river when we cross"
as that SGT" snarled Durand.
you're quite joker, amt you? Well.
suit me. But let's get this clear SO
We'll know where we're at. What's
ailin' you, rube?"
II don't like the color Of yere hair
or the cut of yore Clothes" drawled
Lindsay. you've got q sure-enough
bad eye, and I'm tired of travelin' IN
yore company. Let's ger of, me or
you one"
In the slitted eyes of the Bowery
graduate there was no heat at all.
They were bleak as 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 dfsre-
garded.
Before Durand had set himself to
meet the plunge he found himself n.y.
ing through space. The gambler caught
at the rail, missed II, landed on the
cinders beside the roadbed, was flung
instantly from his feet, and rolled over
and over down an incline to a 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 fist at him. The
face of the man was venomous with
rage.
The cowpuncher waved debonair
hand and mounted the steps again.
The porter was standing in the vesti-
1ule looking at him with amazement
LOU iiUWtQ u man Oh II tntS tram,
he charged.
$50 l did," admitted Clay, and to
save his life he could not keep from
smiling.
The porter sputtered. This beat any
hing In his previous experience. But
amt allowed to open up the
cah. Was you-all havin' troubleY"
mo trouble a-tall. He bet me
cigar couldn't put him off,"
Clay palmed a dollar and handed 1t
to the porter as he passed into the
car. The eyes of that outraged official
rolled after him. The book OF rules
did not say anything about wrestling
matches in the vestibule. Besides, IL
happened that Durand had called him
down sharply not an hour before. He
decided to brush off his passengers and
forget what he had seen