The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-01-11
XVI

CHAPTER XVI
Dave Turner Travelled hard and late,
and he reached Simon's door Just be-
fore shutdown Of the second day.
Bruce vas still a full two hours dis
tant. But Dave did not stay TO knock.
Ii was chore-time, and he thought he
would find Simon in his barn. super
yising the feeding and care OF the
live stock. He had guessed right, INT
the two men had a moments talk In
the dusky passage behind the stalls.
I've brought news" Dave said.
Simon made no answer nj first. The
saddle pony in the stall Immediately
in front of them, frightened at Dawes
unfamiliar figure, had crowded, trem-
bling, against his manger. Simon's
red eyes watched him; then he ut
tered u short oath. He took two
strides into the stall and seized the
halter rope in his huge, muscular
hand. Three times he jerked IL with
a peculiar, quarterlng pull. a curbing
that might have been ineffective by "a
iia VI pihihh ntiNAi6thp Dot "aNf
the incomprehensible might OF the
great forearm behind 1t was really
terrible punishment. Dave thought
for a IN his brother would break
the animals neck the whites began
to show about the soft, dark pupils
of It's eyes. The strap owe the head
broke with the fourth pull hen the
horse recoiled, plunging and terrified.
into the opposite corner Of the stall.
Simon leaped with shatterlng power
at the creatures shoulders. his huge
arms encircled it's neck, his shoulders
heaved, and he half-threw Ii to the
floor. Then, as Ii staggered to rise.
his heavy fist failed against its neck.
Again and again he struck, and In the
half-darkness OF the stable IL was y
dreadful thing to behold. The mans
fury, always quickly aroused. was
upon him his brawny form moved
with the agility of a panther. Even
wont to feast on cruelty, viewed the
scene with some alarm. II wasn't that
he was moved by the agony OF the
horse. But he did remember that
horses cost money, and Simon seemed
determined to kill the animal before
his passion was spent.
The horse covered, and in a mo
ment more IL was hard TO remember
lie was a member of a noble, high
spirited breed-a swift runner, brainy
as a dog, a servant faithful and
worthy. He stood quiet at last. his
head hanging low, knees bent. eyei
curiously sorrowful and dark. Simon
fastened the broken strap about hla
neck. gave II one more jerk that al.
most Knocked the animal Off his feet,
then turned back to Dave. Except fos
a higher color in his cheeks, darker
lights In his eyes, and an almost i'm.
p%erceptible quickenlng Of his breath.
ing, it lid not seem as IL he hac
moved.
you're always bringing news he
| said. IF It's as important as some OF
the other news you've brought don't
take my time"
"All right" the other replied sui.
ienly. You don't have to hear it. But
I'm telling you it's Of real Importance
this time--and some time you'll find
out" He scowled into the dark face.
But suit yourself
Dave walked clear to the door, then
turned. Don't be a fool, Simon" he
urged. Listen to what l have to tell
you. Bruce Folger knows where that
secret agreement is"
For once In his life Dave got a
response of sufficient emphasis TO
satisfy him. His brother whirled. his
whole expression undergoing an i'm.
mediate and startling change. II
there was one emotion that Dave had
never seen on Simon's face IL was
fear-and he didn't know for certain
that he saw it now. But there was
Observation-Disclosures surprise,
too.
"What do you mean?" he demanded.
'Out with itl' His tone was really
urgent now, not insolent as usual.
Good Lord, man, don't you know
that II Bruce gets that down to the
settlements before the thlrtieth of
next month we're lost-and nothing
in. this world can save US? We can't
drive him off, like we drove the
Rosses. There's too much law down
in the valleys. II he's got that paper,
there's only one thing to do. Help
me saddle a horse"
"Wait a minute. l didn't say he had
1t. / only said he knew where 1t was.
He's still an hour or two walk from
here, toward Little river, and IL we
have to wait for him on the trail,
we've got plenty Of time. And OF
curse l amt quite sure he does know
where 1t Is"