Catoctin clarion., 1923-06-21
SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER Ito the Three-B ranch
Arizona. owned Jointly by Sandy Bourke
t'Mormon" Peters and "Soda-Water Sam
Manning, a dog makes its way, in the
last stages OF exhaustion. Inscription on
its collar says its name is Grit. property
of p. Casey" Seeming O desert tragedy.
Bourke and Sam mount and let the dog
lead them.
CHAPTER 1.-THE two find a dying
man, Patrick Casey. pinned under an
overturned wagon. and a young girl. his
almost instantly. murmuring Molly
mines" Sandy takes the girl. Molly. to
the ranch.
CHAPTER III.-It is agreed that Molly
stays as mascot" Of the ranch. Sandy
insists. though. that she must have an
education .S Jim ,l PimsoIi; gambler visiting
| grubstaked Casey. which made him the
old mans partner. Mormon drives him off.
CHAPTER Iv.-starting with a gold
eagle. Moly's luck piece, Sandy. with
Sam. plays faro at Plimsolrs place. win
ming in the peighborhood of $4,000.
| CHAPTER Wit is arranged that Molly.
| to whom the half of Sandy's winnings be-
long. shall go East to be dedicated"
CHAPTER VIA neighbor, Miranda
| Bailey, warns the ranchers that Jim Pim-
soil. as Patrick Casey's partner" claims
guardianship of Molly and the authorl-
| to take the girl to New Mexico, visiting
| on the way an old friend. Barbara Red
ding, for advice as to Molly's going East.
The three men. with the girl. set out.
CHAPTER VII.-Pursued by the sheriff,
the ranchers separate, Mormon and Sam
returning. and Sandy and Molly going on.
CHAPTER vIII-Tbe two are caught
in a pass by a cloudburst,' during which
Sandy saves Molly's life. They reach the
town Of Caroca, their objective.
CHAPTER IX.-At Caroca Sandy meets
friend. who helps the pair elude the pur-
suing sheriff. and they safely board the
train on their way out of the state.
CHAPTER X.-Sandy returns to his
partners. announcing that Molly has been
placed in a school recommended by Bar
bara Redding.
"Ill attend to my own business in
my own way" said the gambler, know
ing the room weighed every word. 1t
was a noncommttal statement and a
light one, but II passed the situation
for the moment.
Sandy pulled out a gunmetal watch.
i HUNT IL hdll dltCI Ollt.
three hours to sunrise, Plimsoll. I'll
be round later" He turned his back
on the gambler and sauntered toward
the door. A few followed the three out
into the street, among them, Wyatt.
~ got a hunch 1t amt extry healthy
TO- me in there" he said. "a gamblin'
parlor where ! amt welcome to stay
or play makes no hit with me-"
Many blocks away. men were watch
ing the mesa whence came high-pow-
cred car, rushing at high speed, mag
nificently driven, taking curve and pitch
and level with superb judgment. Two
men were In the tonneau. One of them
leaned forward, looking at the crowd,
a square-hwed man, cleau-shaven but
for the bristle Of silver mustache be-
meath an aggressive nose, above firm
hard mouth and determined chin. The
mintage of the East was stamped upon
his features. He was a man accus-
toned to sway. II not to lead. His
companion was as plainly an Eastern
product, but his manner was subordi-
nate
''Tm looking for man named Plim-
soll," said the first of these two, his
voice an indication that he was accus-
toned to a quick answer. "He wired
me about some claims. Wherell I
find him?"
you'll likely find him at his place."
answered a miner. "Up-street on the
left. Names outside"
They let the car go on in lane that
was pressed out Of their ranks. They
fell in behind or alongside Of 1t as 1t
passed slowly up the street. Sandy
turned to Mormon.
"You better see Miss Mirandy up to
her claim" he said, his voice casual
enough. Mormon started an appeal,
but 1t died unvoiced. The spinster
knew nothing Of the clash impending |
between Sandy and the gambler.
Sandy walked up the street without !
hurry and. as they had made way |
from the car, men gave him space.
The nearer he got to Plimsoll's place
the more room they allowed him. They
melted away from the car on all sides,
leaving 1t clearest between the ina
chine and the entrance to the gambling
shack. The man with the square face
looked alertly about him at the crowd,
giving place to the lean tall man walk
ing leisurely up the street, high lights
touching the metal Of the two guns
that hung In holsters well to the front
of his hips. Sandy's face was serene,
but there was no mistaking the fact
that the star performer of the moment
had come upon the stage. Five PAGES
back of him strolled Sam, his eyes
dancing with the, excitement that did
not show in Sandy's steel-gray orbs.
Westlake followed to one side, by the
advice of Sam.
It was Plmsoll's way-the profess
sioDal gamblers way-to play his cards
until he knew himself beaten. He had
been hoping for the arrival Of this man.
He represented capital, the develop
menf of the camp into mining town,
the movement Of money, the boom Of
quick sales. With his backing-once
the camn undarStOOd what IL meant tn