White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1924-06-13
UII1I!I1iiil1IIIflI1II I'll
The Dude
J Wrangler
: Caroline Lockhart
Copyright. Doubleday. Page q Co.
CONTINUED from Last Week.


CONTINUED from Last Week)
At the supply wagon Mr.. Hicks was
putting the food away, commenting
profanely upon the flies, the heat, the
hardness of Mr.. Stott, the Injustice
Of things in general. and in particular
the sordid necessity which obliged
him to occupy this humble position
when he was so eminently fitted to
fill higher one.
He threw a stick at 'camp-rob-
Der" that had flown down and taken
a pick at a plate on stump which
contained the lunch he had saved for
Mr.. Stott, and his expression was SO
diabolic that it was the first time for
many days that he had looked nat
ural.
"Red" McGonnigle, with his hat
over his face, dozed in the shade of
the bed-wagon. Aunt Lizzie busted
herself with preparations for depar.
ture. Miss Eyester perused the tes-
timonials for patent medicine con-
tanned in pamphlet left by previous
campers. Insects droned, heat waves
shimmered, the horses stoop sleeping
in their nose-bags. 1t was peace
full MONDAY scene, but Macpherson
heels discussing their prospects, or
and Company, now sitting on their
lack Of them, had no eye for 1t.
One thought was uppermost. their
bubble was punctured. they were
worse than ruined, for their horses
and outfit were mortgaged almost up
to their value, and in addition they
had borrowed at the bank, all the
time counting on paying off their in
debtedness when the Park trip was
finished.
II s'pose l can git Job herdin'
sheep-they's good money in it-but
I'll be an old man before I can afford
to git married, to say nothin' Of the
disgrace Of it." Pinkey's voice sound.
ed hopeless.
The plant gave Wallie such pang
that he could not answer, but with a
twig played a game of tick-tack-toe
in the dust, while he thought bitterly
that no one could blame Helene
Spencely for preferring Candy to a
person who seemed destined to failure
in whatever he attempted.
A lump rose in his throat to choke
him, and he was about to turn away
lest someone see the mist in his eyes
that blinded him, and that he felt
horribly ashamed of, when the sound
of hoofs attracted his attention and
caused him to grow alert in an in
slant.
He was sure that 1t was Stott re.
turning, and then he caught a glimpse
of him through the trees-galloping
ooh, here you are!" exclaimed tina,
person, irritably, as he turned of the
road and came through the brush to
ward Wallie.
There was bright shine in Wal
lies eyes as he walked toward him.
"Why didn't you tell me you were
going to camp in the middle of the
morning?" stott demanded In hi;
rasping voice as he dismounted.
"You know as we'll as I do that
choosing a camp is left to Hicks
Judgment. told you not to get ahead
Of the supply-wagon."
"If you think I'm going to poke
along behind like snail, you're mis-
taken!" Stott retorted.
Wallie's face went white under hts
tan, though his voice was quiet
enough as he answered:
You'll poke this afternoon, I'm
thinking"
Stott turned sharply.
What do you mean by that?"
Gust what l said. Look at that
horse!"
The buckskin's head was hanging
its legs were trembling, there was
not a dry hair on 1t, and the sweat
was running in rivulets. It's sides
were swollen at the stirrup where the
spurs had pricked 1t, and the corners
of its mouth were raw and bleeding.
Wallie continued, and his voice
was savage:
you're one of the people, and
there's plenty like you. that ought to
be prevented by law from owning
either horse or gun. This after.
noon you'll ride in the surrey, or
walk, as suits YOU"
Stott laughed insolently.
"Oh, l guess not!"
Wallie calmly loosened the latigo.
Stott took step toward him with
his heavy jaw thrust out and his hand
sought his hip pocket.
Don't you take the saddle OF that
horse" His tone was menacing.
A machine that had been purring in
the distance passed, slowed up,
and stopped little way beyond the
camp. Wallie heard it but did not