Catoctin clarion., 1923-05-24

OF us comes out an offers to take her.
I'd be glad to, for one, an do the
right thing by her."
Molly walked over to Sandy's chair
and stood behind 1t, her eyes widen
ing, her breath beginning to come
quickly.
"There's some talk about her ia
theirs claims over to Dynamite lookin'
up. Party of fasteners over that
way lately, nosin' around to find out
owners, lookin' up assessment work
an so on. Talk of a boom. reckon
Plimsoll's twigged that Lawyer
Feeder, who run for state senator an
whose records none too dainty, Is in
cahoots with Jordan an Plimsoll Ed
heard they figger on goin' before
Judge Fanniman, one Of their crowd,
to get an order of court. She's a MI
nor. They can git her away from you.
IF we crowd them too hard for them
to app'int one Of their own ring-an'
they're figgerin on Plimsoll. he claim
in to he her fathers partner-they'll
likely have her put in some institu-
tlon. An it's goin' to he done right
sudden"
Molly stepped out, eyes flashing,
fists clenched, talking passionately
81 won't go with 'em. I'll run away
They can't take me. Jim Plimsol Is
ID liar You won't let 'em take
me?" She turned to Sandy her arms
stretched in appeal.
"NO. Molly. wont. VIII we. boys?"
"You can het everything you got an
ever hope to own we won't" said Sam.
"That goes for me-" echoed Nor
mon, but he scratched his fringe of
hair in some perplexity.
"Talk don't beat an order of the
court" said Miranda Bailey. "Mebbe
seem sort Of vinegary to you. child
but I'm not bad sort I fgger If you
came home with me today we c'ud
manage to git YOU placed with us
There's been tattle about you stoppin
here You're fifteen-an' ;"
"Some folks is jest plumb rotten"
f1ared Nelly. I'm no kid. /
oh. If Dad was alive!'
Sandy stood up and slid an arm
about her shaking shoulders She
wheeled and buried her head on his
shoulder, sobblng
"We're powerful obliged to you.
Miss Bailey. for what you told u.s."
said Sandy. I'm right sure you'd
give Molly a fine home, hut we got
other plans an we aim to carry 'em
out. Plimsoll's skunk an I'll block
his game about the mines eff they
amount to anything. Molly's goin'
east for her eddication. She's got
plenty money to git the best that's
goin' an she's goin' to have It,"
"l'hen you better git her cross the
county line before many hours are
over" Miss Bailey climbed into the
machine. "You aim on takin' her out
of the county to the railroad ter
morrerY she asked. "What school is
she goin' tor
"We amt settled all the. details"
said Sandy. But we'll do that all
right. Wen git ready soon's we can.
Meantime, we'll keep our eyes peeled
ter-morrer against any order from
Hereford"
Miranda waved farewell as she
called out Good luck! !"
"Some sport!" announced Sam.
"That's the kind of woman you sh'ud
have married, Mormon"
Molly, excited now, demanded audi
ence.
"When do we start?' she asked ca
gerly. "Will you wait till they come
out from HerefOrd?"
~ got to think out things bit,
Molly" said Sandy. zone thing Is
sure, you got to tuhn In an git good
rest. Ef we slide out 1t won't be all
pleasure trip. reckon Plimsoll
means business. An he's sure got the
county machinery behind him right
now."
II can take Gritf'
"W'uldn't want to leave us some
thin to remember you by?" asked
Sandy. "Somethln' to help make sure
you'll come back?"
Molly regarded Sandy soberly, her
fingers twining through the dogs
name.
you'd be good to him-same as
you air to me? Oh, I'm just plumb
mean to ask you that. / know you
w'ud. He's goin' to be jest as lone
some as me for bit, amt you Grit?
He allus slep' with me. cuddlin' up,
an" She gulped, Strengthened.
"Good night" she said. Come,
Grit"
The three men sat silent for a mo-
ment or two after she left.
"She's sure a stem-winder," said
Mormon presently. "How you goin'
to fix to get her away, SandyT
II got a plan warmin' up" said
Sandy. Nearest to the county line
is west through the Cabezas range. I
aim to git to the railroad an then me
an Mollyll make for New Mexico"
"Huhp
"You guessed 1t, Mormon. For the
Pecos river an Boville an the Red
ding ranch. reckon Barbara Red
ding'll handle the thing. She'll git
Molly her outfit an she'll know all
about the right schools"
Mormon brought his hand down on
Sans thigh with sounding whack.
"Dern me, eff he amt the wise OIL
son Of a gun," he cried delightedly.
"Sure !"
Barbara Redding, once Barbara
Barton Of the celebrated Curly o, was
bright star in the mutual armament
of the Three Star partners. They had
all worked together on the Curly o