The Holly chieftain., 1923-05-31
CHAPTER lv-cont'nued.

-
"Mebbe. but you can't stop what's
started any more'n horn-toad can
stop landslide, Sandy Bourke. You
can't kill scandal with gunplay. The
girls too young, in one way, an not
young enough in another. to be stayin'
on at the Three Star. You oughter
have sense enough to know that Eff
one of you was married, or had
wife that 'ud stay with you. 1t 'ud be
different. Or II there was a woman
housekeeper to the outfit"
The flivyer horn squawked outside.
Miranda pointed her finger at Sandy.
"There's chores waitin' fo me.
didn't come Off at daylight jest to be
spyin', whatever you men may think.
You either got to get grown woman
here or send the gel away. fo' her
own good, fore the talk gifts so It'll
shadder her life. Now, I've said my
say, you-all talk 1t over"
Sandy went to the door with her,
helped her into the machine. He
came back with his face serious.
"She's right" he said. "We got to
send her away. Me, I'm goin' into
Hereford tonight. l aim to interview
Jim Plimsoll an then bust his bank.
One of you come erlong. Match TO it."
"Bu'st the bank with whatT' asked
Sam.
Sandy produced the ten-dollar luck
piece and held 1t up.
"This. Mormon, choose yore side"
"Heads."
Sandy flipped the coin. 1t fell with
golden ring on the floor. "Talls,"
said Sandy, inspecting it. "You come,
Sam. Staht afteh noon. Oil up yore
gum"
II knowed I'd lose" said Mormon
dolefully. "Dang my luck, anyway"
It was little after seven o'clock
when Sandy and Sam walked out of
the Cactus restaurant, leaving their
ponies hitched to the rail in front.
They strolled down the main street Of
Hereford and stopped outside the
place labeled "Good Luck Pool Par
lors. ]. Plimsoll, Prop" The line
BEST Liquor and Cigars" was half
smeared out. Sandy patted gently the
butts of the two Colts in the hol-
sters, whose ends were tied down to
the fringe ornaments Of his chaps.
Sam stroked his ropey mustache and
eased the gun at his hip. Sandy
pushed open the door and went in. A
man was playing Garfield at table
In the deserted bar. AS the pair en-
tered he looked up with "Howdy,
gentsr' showing back a rckety table
and chair noisily on the uneven floor.
The inner door swung silently as at
a signal, and Jim Plimsoll came out.
dropped in to hev Ill talk with
you an then take buck at the tiger,
said talk bein' private" Sandy AM
nounced.
Plimsoll threw glance at the man
who had been posted for lookout and
he left with curious gaze that took
in Sandy's guns.
"Sorry was away from the ranch,
time you called" said Sandy, sitting
with one leg thrown over the corner
Of the table. "Hope to be there mex
time. hear you-all claim to have an
interest in Pat Casey's minln' loca-
tions. his interest now bein' his daugh-
ter'sr
"That any Of your businessT
II aim to make 1t my business"
replied Sandy.
For moment the two men fought
pitched battle with their eyes. 1t
was q warfare that Sandy Bourke
was an expert in. The steel of his
glance often saved him the lead in his
cartridges. Jim Plimsoll was no fool
/ to wage uneven contest. He fancied
he would have the advantage over
Sandy later, If the pair really meant
to play faro-in his place.
II grubstaked him for the Hopeful
Dynamite discovery" he said. 1--WE
got Witnesses"
well, we'll let that match slide
till the mines make showin'. Mean
time, there's talk goin' on in this town
concernin' the gel an her livin' at
Three Star. look to you to contra
dict that so't Of gossip, Plimsoll, from
now on"
Plimsoll flushed angrily.
"Who In hi do you think you
are?' he demanded. "Who appointed
you censor to any mans speechY
"A mans speech don't have to be
censored, Plimsoll. An / reckon you
know who / am"
you come here looking for trouble
with meT'
II never hunt trouble, Jim. If l
nA't help buttin' into II, like q man