The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-10-09

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all that led mp 10 Skyline.
On a pleasant day in late June,
the old man reiterated his grievances.
pulling hts Ions grey beard and fail
ms his gaunt arms in cloduent Ees'
,urc.
whoever they be that lifted my
steers" no said grlmiy. Il damn
their souls 10 hell Ia damn their
bodies too. believe me. men. II !
knowed 'em an could throw my gun
on 'em. shuriff. hero might take
mo to jail next minute an ia so
happy"
"Nobody's going TO take you 20
jail for killins a rustier. Jake" he
said. " we'd giys you n reward IN.
stead. Ia give a lot 20 have the
chance myself"
why don't 20 hunt FER Il. thenf''
demanded conlan testify. ''ct was
shuriff--"
yes" said Selwood. laying his
cards fiat on tho table for n moment
and facing him. what would you DO
" you wern sheriff.
I'D try, anyway" naid tho old
man. with a touch OF scorn. ito find
trace Of some,hln'. Ia not stay
on my own ranch an let IN world
60 hang. I'D ride IN hills. 'tenny
rate"
.t..,- .,.t.-... .-.., ,,,s s.t
woods face. giving Il an odd nshen
hue. like a candle. Ito laid down bis
hand definitely ana looked round Al
tho 10 or ie men iounsing In tht
room.
Among them were Bossick and one
or two others who had suffered al
the hands Of the mysterious thieves
Of Nameless.
Il know that Jake hero voices the
feeling which has been growing
against me FOR some time" he said
evenly. and this Is as good a time
as any 20 speak about H."
You're our sheriff. Price. an a
damned good one" spoke up BosSick
loyalty. AN for one hayo nothing
10 say against you. know-no ons
bettcr-what you're up against.
trailsd my own stuff into that river
with you. an know that thcy
simply vanished. Two done my owr
darndest TO onravei IN myAtory. an
! can't sec what moro any mAn'd do
sheriff or notg'
sclwood smiled at him.
Thanks. John" he said. I'm moi
forget that But I hate 90 have ms
friends think I'm laying down on ths
job ! haven't said anything about
what I've been doing. prcferring e
wait until I had something TO show,
but that time seems far off still
This j. tho smooihcst work eve,
INV. battling don't stand "a
simple reason. We know beer cattle
don't fIy-gn yet that seems the
only way they could have got out Of
the country. They go-and they
leave no trail. know. for I've rid
den the hills. Jake. notwithstanding
IN dragnet fashion Ask my wife
how many nights I've slept at home
since the last raid. Take a look Ut
my horse out there. Hes hard az iron
and lean as rail. And there's an.
other at home that looks Just ilke
him. If / haven't found anything
It's not because I haven't Travelled. -
Several men stirred and one spoke.
Il don't think many OF US blame
you. Price" 10 sald. but Il does
gall Teller 20 lose stock an have 10
stand helpless"
And how DO you think Il gall
me TO fail to catch the llftcrs?'' ask.
cd seIwood quietly. 'It'B my Job
my my honor"
He picked up Ills cards again and
turned 10 tho table.
But no matter what IN raid. or
thought. about me-" no finished
every day OF my further hold on
office win be given over to tho same
hunt-untIl / find what I'm after, or
give up as n failure"
Hink Kelsey, the bearded man who
sat on the store porch that day o,
the fight between selwood and Nc.
Kane. now dropped tho forward leRr
OF his chair 10 tho floor and sat up.
doubling his knife and putting il
away In n pocket.
Sheriff." no said. I'm stackin'
on you. along with Bossick. thinl,
you'll ketch yer game-an' think
you're already on tn right trail"
McKane looked at him az IL he
could kill him and his tongue itched
to fall both men, tho speaker and
selwood, for he knew that they
meant the Same thing.
There was one listener, however
who said nothing and whose sharp
eyes scanned each face in tho. room
with painstaking thoroness. This wa
Sud Provine. rider from Sky Line
who had come down for the mail.
The Sky Line men never stayed
long at cordova, except as they oame
now and again for a night AZ play
When tho talk had changed from
the all.absorbing topic OF the stolen
cattle. this worthy rose took M,
sack and departed.
Several pairs OF eyes followed
him, but no ono spoke of him
There was soemthing about IA,
Sky Line riders which seemed Ia nrc
clude discussion In tho open.
Price Solwood had told The tram,