The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-03-29
CHAPTER IIi-continued.


~ don't sabe the dedication part of
IT," she answered. "Jest what does
that mean? | don't want to go ~
school with a lot Of kids who'll laf
at me-"
"You don't have to. AS PARTNERS"
sandy went on earnestly, II don't
mind tellin' you that the Three Bar
has put all Its chips Into the kitty
an, while we fgger sure to win, we
can't cash In any till the Increase OF
the herds starts TO make a shown.
Not till after the fall roundup, any.
way. SO yore eddication1l have TO be
put of a bit. Meantime you'll learn
to ride an rope an mebbe break a
colt or two, between meals an ridlu'
herd On the dirt. When you start in.
it'll be at one of them schools in the
East where they make a ~speshulty Of
western heiresses. How's that sound?''
sounds fine. On'y. you've picked
mp Dads hand to gamble with. Mebbe
II amt yore game, nor the one you'd
choose TO play IL IL wasn't forced on
YOU
Sister" said Sam. "yo're skinnin
yore hides too close. Sandy I'D
gamble on which way a horn-toad II
spit. It's meat an drink TO him. We
won this ranch on a gambie-him
playin'. He CANDLES as he breathes.
An whatever hand he plays, me an
Mormon backs. Why. If we win on
this mimi deal. we're way ahead Of
the game, seem we don't put up any
thin In cold collateral. It's a sure
Are cinch."
"Sam says IT," backed Sandy. Zone
good gamble"
Molly fumbled at the waistband OF
her one-piece gown. working at II with
her fingers, producing a golden eagle
which she handed to Sandy.
That's my luck-piece," she said.
dad give II to me one time he
cleaned up good on a placer claim.
Mex time you gamble. will you play
that-for me? Half an half on the
winnln's. | u need some clothes."
The CLINT Of the born gamblers SUI.
perstition showed In Sandy's eyes as
he took the ten dollars.
Il sure will do that" he said. "An'
mighty soon. Now, then. talks over.
all agreed. Sam an me has got some
work TO do outside. Won't be back
much before shutdown. Mormon he's
goin' to he middlln' busy. too, Molly,
you jest acquaint ~yorese'f with the
Three Star. Riders won't he hack till
dark. No one about hui Mormon. Pc.
tiro the cook. AN joe. Rest up ali
you can. I'm goin' to bring yore dad
In"
Tears welled In Molly's eyes as she
thanked him. Again Sandy saw the
girlish f~rankness change TO the CRATE
fulness Of a woman's spirit. looking
out at him between her lids. II made
him a little uneasy. The men went
out together, walking toward the
corral.
"Sam an mes goin' to bring in
what's left OF Pat Casey. Mormon.
Wen fake the blackboard. with a tarp'
to stow him under. Up to yuu 70
In ock together a coffin an dig a grave
IN der the cottonwoods an below rhe
spring. Git Joe tn help gen. No sense
In lettin' the gel see you. of course
Mormon rounded up the h~alf-breed
Joe. to help him Dig the grave. first.
locating Molly In a hammock he had
slung for her In the Shade OF the trees
by the cistern.
The soil was soft and clear from
stone. An hour suficed to sink a
shaft for Pat Casey's last bed. Nor
mon carefully adjusted the headboari
he had fashioned from a thick plank.
to he carved later when the lettering
was decided upon. This dome. he
buckled on the belt he had discarded.
from which his holster and revolver
swung. Sandy carried " guns. his
partners one. habits Of earlier. more
stirring days. toting them AS inev-
itably as they wore spurs, though
there was little occasion ia use them
IN the Three StaA save to PM a hurt
animal out of misery. or XIII u rattle.
make.
Moisture sfrenmed from Mnrmnn's
face, patched his clothes as the heat
md bis exertipns tenpor 4fiiy mrifed
.,ne af his sufasrfluuuS ati.tr,Sifx. Hi