Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-09-04
CHAPTER Continued

P
'Wel," Judith shifted, Il don't
know. It will be a jolt to me If
there's square man left on the
ranch! Go down to the bunk-house
and tell the cook I'm here and I'm
hungry as a wildcat Tell him and
any Of the boys that are down there
that I've come to stay and that IRE
yors Is fired. They take ordegs from
me and no one else. And hurry, if
you know how. Goodness knows, you
look MS though it would take you half
an hour to turn aroundv'
'',fhank you, ma'am," said Bud Lee
"But you see had just told Ire
vors here he could count me out I'm
not working for the Blue Lake any
more. AS / go down to the corral,
shall / send up one of the boys to
take your orders?"
There was little smile under the
last words, just as there was a little
smile in Bud Lees heart at the
thought of the boys taking orders
from a little slip Of girl. Inside he
was CAlOCh14IBS Vastly AOAAGASNN $500
the comedy of the morning.
''She's sure-enough little wonder
bird, all right" he unused. But say,
what does she want to butt in on q
man's-size Job for want to know?'
"Lee," called Trevors, you take
orders from me or no one on this
ranch. You can go now. And just
keep your mouth shut"
Bud Lee was turning to go out and
down to his horse when he saw the
look in Trevors eyes, a look of con-
Stunning rage The general managers
voice had been hoarse
"D-n you,' shouted Trevors, get
out !"
''Cut out the swear-words, Trevors,"
said Lee with quiet sternness. There's
"a lady here"
'Lady !' scoffed Trevors. He
laughed contemptuously where's
your lady7 That?' and he leveled q
iscornful finger at the girl. "A rant
ing tough of a female who brings 9
breath Of the stables with her and
scoIds like fish-wife. +. ;"
"Shut up!" said Lee, crossing the
room with quick strides, his FACE
thrust forward little.
you shut upI'' It was Judith's
voice as Judith's hand fell upon Bud
Lees shoulder, pushing him aside.
rTf I couldn't take care Of myself do
you think I'd be fool enough to take
over little job like running the Blue
Lake? Now" and with blazing eyes
sshe confronted Trevors-''if you've got
amy more nice little things to say, sup
pose you say them to mel"
Trevors' temper had had ample
provocation and now stood naked and
hot In his hard eyes, In a blind in
stant he laid his tongue to a word
which would have sent Bud Lee at
his throat. But Judith stood between
them and, like an echo to the word
came the resounding slap as Judith's
open palm snote Trevor's cheek.
''You Wildcat" he cried. And his
two big hands flew out, seeking her
shoulders
stand back I" called Judith. "Just
because you are bigger than am,
don't make any mistake! Stand back
I tell you'll"
Bud Lee marveled at the swiftness
with which her hand had gone into
her blouse and out again, a small-cal
lber revolver in the steady fingers
now. He had never known a man
himself possibly excepted quicker at
the draw.
But Bayne Trevors, from whose
makeup cowardice had been omitted
laughed meeringly at her and did not
stand back. His two hands out before
him, his face crimson, he came on.
"Fooll" cried the girl. "Fool!"
Still he came on. Lee gathered
himself to spring.
Judith fired. Once, and Trevors
right arm fell to his side. x second
time, and Trevors' left arm hung
limp like the other. The crimson was
gone from his face now. 1t was dead
white. Little beads of sweat began
TO form on hts brow.
Lee turned astonished eyes to
Judith
Nov you know who's running this
outfit, don't your" she said coolly
Flee, have team hitched up to carry
Tfevors wherever he wants to go
He's not hurt much; l just winged
him. And go tell the cook about my
breakfast"
But Lee stood and looked at her
He had no remark to offer Then he
turned to go upon her bidding. AS
he went down to the bunk-house he
said softly under his breath: well,
I'm id. 1 most certainly ami"