The Holly chieftain., 1923-06-07
CHAPTER VI,

CHAPTER VI
Paso cabraa.
They did not make butter on the
Three Star. Since the arrival of
Molly an unwilling and refractory
COW had been brought In from the
range and half forced, half coaxed to
give the fresh milk that Mormon In
sisted the girl needed. Until then
evaporated milk had suited all hands.
But butter-to go with hot cakes and
sage-honey-was an imperative need
for the riders. The butter came over
weekly from the Bailey ranch to be
kept under the spring cover for cool
ing. Usually the gangling young Ed
Bailey brought 1t over in the crotch
ETY. flivver. When Sandy saw the
sparsely feshed figure Of Miranda
Bailey seated by the driver he WINGED
in spirit. This second visitation
looked like mere curiosity and gossip
and Offset the opinion he had begun
to form Of the spinster-that she was
sound underneath her anguIarities
and mannerisma
1t was twilight. The three part
ners and Molly were on the ranch
house porch after supper, and there
was no escape. Miranda nodded at
the three partners, who rose as she
came up the steps.
"You sure need some new clothes,
child" she said to Molly. "You got
to have 'eu. Now then, I come on
business. Sandy Bourlee, you amt
any Of you the legal guardian of that
child, air your
"Nothin' Illegal in what we're doln'.
reckon"
II didn't ask you that You-all
amt got papersT'
"Jest what's the ideaT Sandy
asked. Someone flggerin' on maxim
her stay at the Three Star unpleas-
anti Fur as Jest gossip is concerned.
1t don't have any weight with none
Of us an there amt no sense in men
tionin' It."
"'Pears you amt givin' me over an
above credit for sense" said Miranda,
bit grimly. .'This amt gossip.
Here It's. I got It direct from my
brother, who's heard the talk goin,
round. You've run foul Of Jim Plm-
soll-or he foul Of you which Is more.
likely. Plimsoll an Exc Jordan, the
sheriff, are like two peas In pod.
Now for the meat Of the nut. They're
dggerin' on gettin' control Of the gel
away from youalL They'll use argy-
mints for the general public that she's
too young to be keepin' house for
three unmarried men, leastwise three
men who amt livin' with their
wives." She looked pointedly at Nor
mon. They'll rouse up opinion
enough for change. They'd like to
app'int guardian Of their own kid-
ney. Mebbe we can block that II one
Of Us comes out an offers to take her.
I'd be glad to. for one, an do the
right thing by her."
Molly walked over to Sandy's chair
and stood behind It, her eyes widen
ing, her breath beginning to come
quickly.
There's some talk about her IA
theirs claims over to Dynamite lookin'
up. Party Of easterners over that
way lately, nosin' around to find out
owners, lookin' up assessment work
an so on. Talk Of boom. reckon
Plimsoll's twigged that Lawyer
Feeder, who run for state senator an
whose records none too dainty, is In
rahootu x1yfkh Tordor ous Dyt,,..y, m,
heard they fgger on goin' before
Judge Yanniman, one Of their crowd,
to get an order Of court. She's a NIL
nor. They can git her away from you.
II we crowd them too hard for them
to app'int one Of their own ring-an'
they're fggerin' on Plimsoll, he claim.
in to be her fathers partner-they'Il
likely have her put In some institu-
tion. An It's goin' to be done right
sudden"
Molly stepped out, eyes flashing,
fists clenched, talking passionately.
II won't 60 with 'em. I'll run away,
They can't take me. Jim Plimsoll is
a id liar. You won't let 'em take
mer She turned to Sandy, her arms
in appeal.
"No. Molly, won't. VIII we, boysT
"You can bet everything you got an
ever hope to own we won't" said Sam.
THAT goes for me-" echoed Nor
mon, but he scratched his fringe Of
hair In some perplexity.
talk don't beat an order of the
court" said Miranda Bailey. "Mebbe
seem sort of vinegary to you, child,
but I'm not bad sort. / figger II you
came home with me today we c'ud |
manage to git you placed with us.
There's been tattle about you stoppIn'
here. You're fifteen-an' ;"
"Some folks is Jest plumb rotten"
dared Molly. "rm no kid. Il
M IL Dad MAS aliua in