The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-10-24
Judith of Blue Lake Ranch
BY JACKSON GREGORY

| creek" she told them swiftly. Get
some men together. Carson, and try
to head the robber off,"
That's on the level, Miss Judith p
demanded Carson slowly.
"Of course it's on the levell" she
cried impatiently. "Oh, l know what
you're thinking. I'm going to phone
Immediately to the bank at Rocky
Bend and have another man sent out
with more money. You can count
upon getting your pay at six O'clock y
Il told you, didn't l." muttered Car
son, that 1 wasn't worrying none
personal? But If l was you I'd sure
have the money on tap!"
With that he left her, going hastily
to round up what men he could find
and get them into their saddles. Bud
Lee, his eyes still on her, stood where
he was.
WELL" demanded the girl, "aren't
you going. too?" Suddenly angered
by his lesurely air, she added cut
tingly: "Not afraid, are your"
Il was thinking" Lee answered
coolly, "that the stick-up gent will
most probably figure on play like
that. If he was real wise he'd mosey
along toward Rocky Bend and pop off
your second man. Two thousand
bucks day would make a real nice
little draw"
Judith paused, frowning. There
was truth in that. If Trevors really
were behind this, he would have
planned ahead
IF you'll do my way" continued
Lee thoughtfully, "I'll have just
enough time to roll a smoke and sad
die little old Climax. He's In the
stable now. You're not afraid of my
embarrassing you? Even If smart
headed man had planned the hold-up
he wouldn't figure on play like this
He'd think we'd have a Rocky Bender
bring 1t out or else wait until to-
morrow"
1T won't do" she decided quickly.
II want that money here at six
O'Clock"
Eighty miles," unused the horse
foreman. six hours. That's riding
right along, but do it my way and I'll
gamble you my own string of horses
and they're worth considerable more
than thousand-that I'll be back,
heeled, at six"
Judith. quick at decisions, looked
him hard in the eye, heard his plan,
and three minutes later Bud Lee,
revolver in his shirt, rode away from
the ranch-house, headed toward Rocky
Bend. Judith already had called up
Trip, and the veterinarian himself,
leading the fastest saddle-horse he
could get his hands on at brief notice,
was also riding toward Rocky Bend,
from the Lower End, five miles in adj
vance of Lee at the start. He went
at gentle trot, consulting his watch
now and then.
So Bud Lee, riding as once those
hard, daredevil riders rode who car
ried across the land the mailbag Of
the Pony express, overlook Doc Trip
and changed to a fresh horse at the
end of the first fifteen miles. The
clock at the bank at Rocky Ridge
marked forty-three minutes after two
as Lee, leaving a sweating horse at
the door on Main street, presented
his check at the paying teller's win
dow. The money, in small canvas
bag, was ready.
Hello, Bud" and "Hello, DanI,"
was the beginning and end Of the con-
versation which ensued. Lee did not
stop to count the money. He drew
his belt up a hole as he went back to
the door, found a fresh horse there
fighting his bit and all but lifting the
stable-boy off his feet. mounted and
sped back along Main street.
Judith was to send another fresh
horse for him so that he could not
fail to be back at the ranch-house by
six o'clock. AS Bud Lee, riding hard
but never without thought for the
horse which carried him, began the
return trip, he drew the heavy-cal-
iber revolver from his shirt and thrust
!! it into his belt.
The road wound in and out among
the pines, always climbing. Lee raced
on, his eyes bright and keen. watch
full and suspicious of every still sha-
dow or stirring branch. From the top
of the mountain, before he again fol-
lowed a winding road back to the
rivers side, he saw horseman riding
a distant ridge; the sun glinting upon
the riders rifle.
"Old Carson himself" thought Lee.
Looking for the hold-up man.
Shucksl They'll never find him this
trip"
Another mile, and Bud Lee was
riding through clearing, with the
tall cliffs of Squaw Creek canyon
looming high on his left, when sud
denly and absolutely without warn
ing, his horse screamed. gathered IT.
self for wild plunge. staggered, stood
moment trembling terribly. then with
| low moan collapsed under him.
Observation-Disclosures