The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-11-21
CHAPTER VIII-Continued

Again she paused. Then. her eyes
suddenly darkening, she told him what,
after all, lay topmost in her mind
II have said that If l am given the
chance, l can make go of this. It's
up to you, Bud Lee. to help see that
get that chance. An attempt WAS
made to spread the lung-worm through
my calves. Now it's the hogs. Do
you know what the latest news Is from
the pens? There's cholera among
Them"
Where did it come from?' he de
manded. "Tripp's been keeping the
health of our stock up right along"
Where did it come from?" Judith
repeated after him. That's what !
don't know. We've been so careful.
But where did the calf sickness come
from? Bayne TrevOrs imported it,
l. The Inference was clear. He stared
at her with frownIng eyes.
II don't see how he could have done
1t without Trips getting on to it. He
hasn't bought any new hogs"
{ but you understand now why 1
wanted to talk to you? If / win out
In the thing have taken on my Shout
ders, it is going to be by close mar
gin. I've thought 1t all out. We can't
slip up in single deal! But, it's up
70 you to give me a hand. To find
out for yourself such things as where
did the cholera come from To see
that nothing happens to your horses.
To keep your two eyes wide open. To
help me find the man. working with US
right now, who is embarrassing us,
who turned Shorty loose, who is watch
ing a chance to do his knife act again
somewhere else. Do you get me, Bud
Lee2"
81 get you." replied Lee.
From without, gay voices, calling
merrily, interrupted them. Lee went
swiftly to the door while Judith fin
ished her coffee and pulled her broad
hat little lower to throw its shadow
in her eyes.
"Ahoy, there" It was Pollock
Hampton's voice. "We saw your horses
and thought we'd catch you picnick-
ing. Get a fire going, too! Say, that's
bully. Come ahead, Marcia"
Marcia, long riding-habit gathered
In one hand. her cheeks flushed with
her ride, her eyes bright as they rest
ed upon the tall form in the doorway,
came on behind Hampton. AS the
eyes of the two girls met, sudden
hot flush flooded Judith's cheeks. She
hated herself for it; she won
dered just how red her eyes were.
Say. Judith" called Hampton
"rm glad as the dickens we found
YOU. Sawyer. the sheriff, telephoned
Just now. Said to tell you he'd To-
Gated Quinnion. The funny part of il
is that we made mistake 1t wasn't
Quinnion at all that tried TO shoot you
and Bud up the other night."'
"How's that?" demanded Lee. "Who
says ii wasn't?"
Sawyer. Found Quinnion at a
sheepman's place thirty OF forty miles
noS.h of here. The sheepman swore
RufNliloil Dttn Will him IWO
weeks, was with him that night"
"A sheepman can lie." grumbled Lee
Judith's brief moment of confusion
passed. she ushered Marcia into tile
cabin.
''PYe been simply dying to see this
piacei" cried Marcia impetuously. 81
told Pollock that 1t was sure sigr
he didn't love me any more If he
wouldn't bring me. And you and
aud one of the men," her eyes on Ju
dith's, actually were in here, being
shot at Judith, dear, you are JUS
the bravest girl in the world. If Tt
been here I'd have simply died.
know / would"
Perhaps she would. At any rats
she shuddered delightfully."-. She founs
bullet-hole in the door and put s
pink forefinger into it, giving secon,
little shiyer.,
And now" she cried. going to ,
chair near the table. "do tell me al
about that terrible. terrible night. Blu