The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-07-26

SluO
~Ne sense In Being Stubborn"
her. you'll have to sooner or later,
you know. No sense IN being stub
born"
She said nothing but he saw q
CLEAN in her eyes as she glanced to-
ward the table where Hahn was SET
ting out plates and cutlery.
You'll eat with fork. Molly"
Baid Plimsoll. "Those steel knives
are too handy for you. There's q
nasty look In those blue eyes Of yours
that viii have 10 be tamed--have to
be tanned" he repeated a. he took a
demijohn from . corner and poured
out liquor mat sent the reek Of its
raw strength sickeningiy through the
cabin. Here's to your health, Molly
Molly Miner
The others laughed and drank their
share before they ate the food that
Cookie placed before them. talking
louder, growing flushed with the crude
whisky. while Molly sat facing the
door, striving to catch something that
might help, might give some clue.
But the talk was all Of the brawl at
the Waterline with contemptuous
mention Of Wyatt and the rest. They
seemed by common consent to ignore
her once she had refused the food.
This attitude weakened her resist
ance though she strove against it.
She had nerved herself to meet ace
ton. Now she seemed to count for
little more than bundle. Of more or
less value. that, having been secured,
could wait Its time for utility. Yet
before she had teiescoped her vision
to extend through and beyond Plim-
coll. she had seen devils looking from
his eyes. SNUG devils. but none the
less menacing. risen from the mans
own private hell pit.
Plimsoll looked at his watch.
The horses should be showing up
pretty soon." he said and rose, q lit
the unsteadily. The effects Of the
liquor were patent on all Of them
Butch, you and Hahn 60 down with
Cookie and keep 'em down at the
south end. Get 'em to turn the horses
loose. And get them out Of the place
as soon as you can after they've eaten.
Better take what stun you want
Cookie.
Keep your eyes peeled ON Cookie"
Plimsoll said In 4 lower voice as the
ranch chef went out Of the door with
his arms piled with provisions. "He
might take q notion to talk too
much"
where are you going to stow herY'
asked Hahn. leave her here in Split
Rock caver'
The callous reference to her as II
she was something inanimate chilled
Molly. II only she had a gun! She
had laughed at Donald's tenderfoot
insistence upon carrying the one he
he'd brought West as a part of his
outfit and had never attempted TO use.
The cooks too well thrown rope
would have probably thwarted any
move Of hers II she had had weapon.
Her fingers crept up toward her
throat touching a slender chain upon
which, ever since she had returned to
the Three Star, hung a gold disk, the
coin with which Sandy had gambled
the luck-piece. To Molly, even now,
It was a talisman that held promise.
II they left her behind them, some
how Sandy would unearth her. But
that hope died.
She'll stay In sight and touch"
said Plimsoll. "Then wen know she's
safe. Wen make Windy gulch to-
night and stay there. It's as good a
place as know. One Of us can ride
over the mountain to Redding and
mail the letter."
Butch nodded. "Corhe on, Hahn"
he said. Lets leave 'em together"
Molly cast an involuntary glance at
the opening door. watched II close
after the pair Of blackguards and
braced herself. The issue was u
hand.
PliMsoll slid a bolt on the door,
brought over one Of the makeshift
chairs and placed II In front of Mol
". seating himself. His alcohol-laden
breath reached her nauseatingly and
she turned her head aside. AS II a
trigger had been released Plimsolrs
face became inflamed with a passion
ate fury.
Oh your he said. Don't you
turn your head away from me. IN
train you TO better manners before
I'm through with you. You'll be
jumping to do what you think want
you to before kong. You'll be begging
me for fayors. You may think you're
too good for me now. You won't
presently"
She saw that she had gone too far
IN her disdain; that she must try to
leash the devils that had broken loose
In his brain.
"Just what do you wantr' abe
asked, and her voice seemed not TO
belong to her a. she uttered the woris
thst showed no tremor.
(Te Ds csntlassl) Fl