The Holly chieftain., 1923-06-28
RimrOck Trail


somehow 1t amt SO convincin'."
Brandon changed the subject after
he had spoken, but 1t was plain that
he and his companions had not given
up the matter; clear also that they
were sure Of Plimsoll's guilt and lay
Ing plans to trap him. They stayed
until the next morning and departed.
The incident was forgotten as the
roundup days grew near. Molly was
not to come home at Christmas after
all. She formed friendship, the first
close one she had made, and Barbara
Redding advised that the invitation
extended by this new acquaintapce to
spend the holidays be accepted.
Shows fell. the temperature ranged
down far below zero at times. winter
gave reluctant place to spring until the
last moment when 1t turned and fled
and, far into the desert, myriads of
fower-blooms sprang up overnight
while everywhere the cactus cleaned
in silken blooms In yellow and GRIM
son.
One April night the Bailey flivver
came charging up to Three Star,
smothering itself in a cloud Of dust
that had not settled before there
sprang out Of 1t Miranda Bailey and
the lanky Ed, temporarily charged with
a tremendous activity. The cause Of
young Eds galvanism was so strong
that he actually won from his aunt as
bearer Of the news.
"Goldi" he cried. "They've struck
pay dirt at Dynamitel Chunks of syl-
vanite that sweat gold in the fire. As
say thirty thousand dollars ton.
Whole streaks of It. Veins twelve
foot wide. The whole towns stamped
In by way Of White Cliff canyon. I'm
goin'. Got pick an shovel in the car
Aunt Mirandy, she was. bound we'd
come this way. Mebbe we can pack
you all in. But you got to hurry or
they'll swarm over Dynamite like files
on a chunk o. liver!'
Sits true" backed Miss Bailey.
'Folks over to Hereford have gone
crazy. caught word or two that
Plimsoll's to the bottom Of the rush.
An he'll grab those claims of Molly's
first thing. That's one reason made
Ed come this way. Thought you might
like to come erlong, on'y he took the
words out Of my mouth"
"You goin'3" asked Mormon.
"Sure am" she answered. ED Bal
ley Senior, he lows there's no sense
in chasin' gold underground. Says he
likes to see his prospects CROWN up
under his own eyes an gain on his
own land. I'm the adventurous one of
the Bailey family, though you mightn't
guess 1t to look at me-" she said with
twitch Of her lips. "Plimsoll amt
got much love for me. He fggers l
lost him his license an his brother-in-
law sheriff his badge. He's right. /
did. / f1ggered you'd not be anxious
to let him have his own way about
Molly's claims an lowed I'd like to
be along an see the excitement. Me
an Ed here'll stake of suthin' for
ourselves. I'd jest as soon git some
easy money as the rest Of 'em."
Sandy, after swift word Of apology,
turned away toward the bunk house.
Mormon. with sweeping salute from
his bald head to his knees, voiced his
opinion.
"Marm." he said, you're dyed.in-
the-wool sport an / admire to trail
with you. But that fivver II sure
bust its cinches with we-all ridin' 1t.
I'm no Jockeyweight, TO- one"
It'll stand mp. We've got to make
time"
With orders to Buck, with some pro-
visions, ammunition and few tools,
the hurried start was made. Mormon
clambered to the front seat beside
young Ed, Miranda Bailey sat between
Sandy and Sam. Whatever lack Of en-
ergy the lank Ed Junior displayed on
his feet, he eliminated as a driver.
The springs creaked, chirpings arose
from various parts Of the car as 1t
ran. but he coaxed the engine, per
formed miracles at bad places in the
road, nursed the insufficient radiator
surface and kept the fivver at sim
mer.
They made the down-road as the
sun rose above the run Of the eastern
range, SO jagged it seemed trying to
claw back the mounting sun. Ever In
view below them lay the intermountain
valley in which the camp had been 10
Gated. There were a few tents. some
wagons and picketed horses, and there
were great many machines parked
at will. Here and there unbroken
glass in the windows flung back the
sun. Suddenly smoke jetted from a
tumbled chimney, other puffs followed
and steady vapors mounted. Ant-like
men emerged from every house, gath
cred In little knots, busieu themselves
with the horses, hurried back to break
fasts. Faint sounds came up to the
travellers.
"W'udn't think that place had been
dead as cemetery TO- yearsT' com
mented Sandy. "Stahted up overnight
like an old engine. That's the hotel,
with the high front Furniture NIL In