The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-09-07

What criminal? he shouted,
hoarsely.
The sheriff flicked his quirt against
his dry boot, and he twisted his thin
lips into a leer.
why, Bill, / knowed you he'd no.
good outfit ridin' this range; but
wasn't wise tibet you he'd more'n one
| criminal"
"Cut that talk! Which cowboy are
you wantin' TO arrest?'
Hawe's manner altered.
Gene Stewart" he replied, CURLY.
ION what charger
Fer KILN a Greaser one night last
fall"
80 you're still harpin' on that?
Pat, you're on the wrong trail. You
can't lay that KILN onto Stewart.
The things ancient by now. But If
you insist on bringin' him to court, let
the arrest go today-we're havin'
some fiesta hyar-an' I'll fetch Gene
in to Eel Cajon."
Nope. / reckon I'll take him when
| got the chance, before he slopes"
I'm givin' you my word" thun-
dered Stillwell.
Il reckon l don't hev to take your
word, Bill, or anybody else's."
Stillwelrs great bulk quivered with
his rage, yet he made a successful eff
| fort to control it.
'See hyar, Pat Have, l know what's
reasonable. Law is law. But in this
country there always has been an is
now safe an sane way TO proceed
with the law Mebbe you've forgot
that. I'm a-goin' to give you bunch.
Pat, you're not overliked in these
parts. You've rid too much with a
high hand. Some of your deals hev
been shady, an don't you overlook
what I'm sayin'. But you're the sher-
if, an Pm respectin' your office I'm
| respectin' it this much. If the milk
of human decency is so soured in your
breast that you can't hev kind feel
in, then try to avoid the unpleasant
ness thatll result from any contrary
move on YOUR part today. Do you get
that hunch?"
"StillweIl, you're threatenin' an Of
ficer," replied Have, angrily. 81 come
to arrest him, an I'm gOin' to-"
$50 that's your gamer shouted
Stillwell. "We-all are glad to get you
straight, Pat. Now listen, you cheap,
red-eyed coyote of sheriff You don't
care how many enemies you make.
You know you'll never get office again
In this county. What do you care
now? It's amazin strange how earn
est you are to hunt down the man who
killed that particular Greaser. /
reckon there's been some dozen or
more killin's of Greasers in the last
year. Why don't you take to trailin'
some of them killin's? I'll tell you
why. You're afraid to go near the
border. An your hate of Gene Stew
art makes you want to hound him an
put him where he's never been yet
| in jail You want to spite his friends
Wal, listen. you lean-jawed, skunk
bitten coyote! Go ahead an try to
arrest him ~
Quiz tooh VIC luc Oll
the porch. His last words had been
cold. His rage appeared to have been
transferred to Have. The sheriff
had begun to stutter and shake a
lanky red hand at the cattleman when
Stewart stepped out.
"Here, you fellows, give me a
chance to say word"
AS Stewart appeared the Mexican
girl suddenly seemed vitalized out of
her stupor. She strained at her bonds,
as if to lift her hands beseechingly.
A flush animated her haggard face,
and her big eyes lighted.
"Senor Gene" she moaned. "Help
mel l so seek. They beat me, rope
me. mos keel me. Oh, help me, Senior
Gene!"
"Shut up, er I'll gag you" said the
man who held Bonita's horse.
"Muzzle her, Sneed, If she blabs
again." called Have.
Madeline felt something tense and
strained working in the short silence
Was it only a phase of her thrilling
excitement? Her swift glance showed
the faces Of Nels and Monty and Nick
to be brooding, cold, watchful. She
wondered why Stewart did not look
toward Bonita. He. too. was now
dark-faced, cool, quiet, with something
ominous about him.
"Hawe, I'll submit to arrest without
any FUSS" he said, slowly, eff you'll
take the ropes off that girl"
"Nope," replied the sheriff. "She
got away from me onct She's hawg-
tied now, an she'll stay hawg-tied."
Madeline thought she saw Stewart
give slight start. But an unaccount-
able dimness came over ner eyes, at
brief intervals obscuring her keen
sight.
"All right, let's hurry out of here"
said Stewart. you've made annoy
ance enough. Ride down to the cor
raj with me. I'll get my horse and go
with YOU"
Hold on!" yelled Have, as Stewart
turned away. mot so fast. Who's
doin' this? You'll rice one of nay
pack-horses, an you'll go in irons"
"You want to handcuff me?' queried
Stewart, with sudden swift start of
passion.
'Want to? Haw, haw! Nope, Stew
art, tibet jest my way with boss
thieves, raiders Greasers, murderers,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS