Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1924-11-28
Copyright by Charles Scribner's Sons

WdS LIlCu III 1eOShJ ADCAOs II AO
evidence, though circumstantial, was
strong against him, aud the prosecution
was pushed hard. But it was little
surprise to any one al the ranch when
the trial resulted in hung jury. The
ablest lawyer in the county had de-
forded Donley. and finally, late in Au-
gust, secured flis acquittaI. The man
himself did not have ten dollars in
the world; the attorney taking his
case was high-priced lawyer OBJ
viously, to Judith Sanford at least,
Bayne Trevors was standing back of
every play his hirelings made.
Doc Trip had the hog cholera In
hand. And every day, out with the
live stock whose well-being was his
responsibility, he worked as he had
never worked before, watchful, eager,
suspicious.
"If they'll drop cholera down on us
out of the blue sky" he snapped, "Td
like to know what they won't try"
For the first few days following the
dance Bud Lee had within his soul
room but for one emotion: he had
held Judith in his arms. He had set
his lips on hers. He went hot and
cold with the remembrance. Being
man, he made his man-suppositions Of
the emotions that ranked in her
breast. He imagined her contempt Of
a man who by his strength had forced
her lips to wed his; he pictured her
scorn, her growing hatred. He told
himself that he should go, rid the
ranch Of his presence, take his de-
parture without word with her. For,
already, he had fitted her into his
theory Of the perfect woman, lifting
her high above himself and above the
human world. It was continued In
suit for him to remain here.
But, after careful thought, he re-
membered what Judith had already
told him; he was one of the men
whom she could trust to do her work
for her, one Of the men she most need
ed, man whom she would need sore
ly If Bayne Trevors were lying quiet
now but to strike harder, unexpected
ly, later.
Judith did not dismiss him, as at
first he had been sure she would So
he stayed on, remaining away from
the ranch headquarters, sleeping when
he could in the cabin above the lake,
spending his days with his horses,
avoiding her but keeping her person
ality in his soul, her interests in his
heart. When the winter had passed
when she had made her sales and had
the money In hand for the payments
upon the mortgages, then he would go.
Whereat, no doubt the high gods
smiled.
AS time passed, there came about
subtle change in the attitude Of the
outfit toward Pollock Hampton, whom
they had been at the beginning prone
to accept as "city guy" It began
to appear that under his lightness
there was often a steady purpose
that If he didn't know everything
about a ranch, he was learning fast;
that in his outspoken admiration Of
things rough and manly and primal
there were certain lasting qualities.
Whereas formerly his being thrown
from spirited mount was almost
daily occurrence, now he rode rather
well. With tanned face and hard
hands, he was, as Carson put it, grow
ing up"
He came to Judith one day serious
faced, thoughtful-ey
Look here, Judith" he began alb
ruptly, I'm no outsider just looking
on at this game. You're the chief
owner and the boss and I'm not kick
ing at that any longer. Your dad
raised you to this sort Of thing and
you have a way Of getting by with 1t.
But, on the other hand, I'm part own
er and you've got to consider me-"
Judith smiled at him.
What now, Pollock?" she asked.
you're the boss" he repeated
stoutly. But I've got right to be
next in authority. Under you, you
know. Why, by cripes, I 60 around
feeling as If had to take orders from
Carson or Trip or any other Of the
foremenw
"By cripes' 10 good" laughed
Judith. go ahead"
"That's ALL" he insisted "You can
tell them, when you get chance, that
] am your little old right-hand man.
Suppose" he suggested vaguely, "that
you left the ranch a day or so. Or
even longer, some time. There's got
to be some one here who is the head
when there is need for It."
Judith mirthfully acquiesced. Hamp-
tons interest was sufficiently heavy
for him to be entitled to some con-
sideration. Besides. she had come to
a liking for the boy and
had seen In him the change for the
better which his new life was work.
ing In him. Further, she meant to
make it her business that she did not
leave the ranch for a day or so, or
an hour or so, when she should be
there. Consequently, within week
Pollock Hampton was known humor-
ously from one end to the other Of
the big ranch as the Toreman-at-
7 arOo