The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-10-03
CHAPTER Continued

P
'Well," Judith shifted, 81 dom
know. 1t will be jolt to me i
there's a 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 ant
any of the boys that are down there
that I've come to stay and that Ire
vors is fired They take orde-s from
me and no one else. And hurry, il
you know how. Goodness knows, yor
look as though it would take you hall
an hour to turn aroundH
THANK you, ma'am," said Bud Lee
'tBut you see / had just told Ire
vors here he could count me out. I'm
not working for the Blue Lake any
more. AS l go down to the corral
shall send up one of the boys tc
take your orders?"
There was a 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 chuckling. vastly delighted with
the comedy of the morning.
"She's a sure-enough little wonder.
bird, all right" he mused But, say
what does she want to butt in on 8
man's-size job for, l 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, 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"
J. 'Lady!" scoffed Trevors. He
laughed contemptuously. where's
your lady? That?" and he leveled a
scornful finger at the girl. "A rant
ing tough of a female who brings a
breath of the stables with her and
scolds like fish-wife. &. :"
"Shut up!" said Lee, crossing the
room with quick strides, his face
thrust forward little.
You shut up!" It was Judith's
voice as Judith's hand fell upon Bud
Lees shoulder, pushing him aside.
''If couldn't take care of myself do
you think I'd be fool enough to take
over a little job like running the Blue
Lake? Now" and with blazing eyes
she confronted TrevOrs-"if you've got
any 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 blind in
slant 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 smote Trevor's cheek.
"You Wildcat" he cried. And his
two big hands flew out, seeking her
shoulders.
stand backr" called Judith. Just
because you are bigger than l am,
don't make any mistake Stand back
tell you"
Bud Lee marveled at the swiftness
with which her hand had gone into
her blouse and out again, small-cal-
iber revolver in the steady fingers
now. He had never known man
himself possibly excepted-quicker at
the draw.
But Bayne Trevors, from whose
makeup cowardice had been omitted
laughed sneeringly at her and did not
stand back. His two hands out before
him, his face crimson, he came on.
. "Fool!" cried the girl. FOOL"
Still he came on. Lee gathered
himself to spring.
Judith fired. Once, and Trevors
right arm fell to his side. A second
time, and Trevors' left arm huns
limp like the other. The crimson was
gone from his face now. 1t was deat
white. Little beads of sweat begar
to form on his brow.
Lee turned astonished eyes t.
Judith.
Now you Know who's running thi!
outfit, don't you?" she said coolly
lee, have a team hitched up to carr!
Trevors wherever he wants to go
He's not hurt much; l just winged
him. And go tell the cook about m!
breakfast"
But Lee stood and looked at her
He had no remark to offer. Then HI
turned to go upon her bidding. Al
he went down to the bunk-houSe h,
said softly under his breath: well
I'm id. 1 most certainly am ]"