White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1925-05-29
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THE EXILE OF :
THE LARIAT :
BY HoNoRE WlLLsIE
Copyright 1928 :
Frederick A. Stokes Company
New York s
Observation-Disclosures
CONTINUED from Last Week.


He watched Hugh with an anxiety
he did not attempt to disguise.
God knows, Hughie, 1 don't want
to add to your troubles, but we've got
to know the truth about this, old man.
Let's find out what we really are up
against
I'm perfectly willing for you to
pump Pink" said Hugh, slowly refill
ing his pipe.
Johnny strobe out Of the shop. When
the cowman came in, trailing Pink
behind him, Hugh hastily struck
match and sat down, motioning the
two others to seats before the stove.
Now what?" said Pink.
you remember that little party in
the cave, Pink" asked Johnny. "The
little matter Of the gray stallion?"
Pink stared at Johnny truculently.
do you?" shouted the cowman with
sudden evaporation.
Il amt saying This isn't court of
Justice"
1T sure amt" roared Johnny. you
know what it is. Do you remember
the cave and the gray stallion?"
"Yes," replied Pink. Don't get so
het up, Johnny"
well, am het up. Now, listen,
Pink! So far Hughie has no informa-
ton about those matters. And don't
plan to give him any if you'll come
through on something else. How did
you get in touch with the Eastern
Electric Corporation?"
IF tell that, lose the rest of my
fee," replied Pink, promptly.
"No, you won't. No one will ever
know from Hughie or me-"
II wouldn't trust you" Pink shook
his head firmly.
Then Hughie gets facts from me
about the cave"
Pink turned purple. The river
roared endlessly. Some one outside
gave a Sioux war whoop, followed by
laughter.
IF Il do tell" said Pink, at last,
will you both swear not to give me
away?"
II will" replied Johnny.
II WILL" said Hugh in low voice.
well, l can trust you both, even if
we are enemies. 1t was Miriam Page
got me into it. Hang it, just as soon
get even with her for what she's done
to Jessie! Jess is my only child, even
If we don't get along. She got me in"
"When?" demanded Johnny, huski-
ly
ION her first trip out here. / can
tell you just how 1t was" Pink re-
en- place in the office of the Indian
Massacre
Hugh did not move. When Pink
had finished, Johnny said abruptly,
That's all, Pink! You can beat 1t
now. l just want to say one thing
Hughie, that worries me nights, and
when see other things like this press
ing on you and how hard you take
things that don't mean anything tc
other folks. l mean, was awful
drunk, and it was entirely accidental
my being at the cave, and I don't
think l did anything, although that
bum Of Pink claims l did"
Hugh looked up. Don't worry
about it, Johnny" He paused and
I x1yith offN Il; \,
| on the cowman. Don't worry about
that, Johnny, but for Gods sake tell
me the truth. Are you playing
straight with me now? l mean-what
mean is, have l one person l car
think of that isn't using me- We
that is you and l were almost borr
together.
I'm your honest-to-God friend
Hughie, old-timer"
do you believe she did 1t, johnny
II know she did. Don't fight agains
1t, Hughie. Let it soak in, wallow il
it, and then get the best Of it. NJ
woman is worth it, Hughie. Excep
JESSIE"
Hugh sat with his pipe in his teeth
staring at the wall Johnny watched
him anxiously. But for five minutes
the Gray Stallion did not stir. Their
he suddenly emptied the pipe, put Il
deliberately into his pocket and slow
ly twisted his long hands together
with such passion that Johnny heard
the bones crack. Assured then thai
conviction had struck home, but with
Infinite compassion in his blue eyes
the cowman went softly out.
And once more, Hugh was alone In
The Lariat with crisis of the soul
Miriam, who was worth sacrificing
Jessie for, who was pure and disinter
ested in motive. Miriam, the lovely.
God in heaven, there was no such
Miriam!
The hours slipped by Hugh till
dawn. Then he rose YEARLY from
his chair and made UP light pack for
a camping trip. He left The Lariat
just as the sun came up. He saddled
Fossil, tied the pack behind him
mounted and rode slowly through the
quiet town toward the bridge.
Marten, coming out of his tent,
yawning, called to him: Where to,
Gray Stallion?"
Pm off for a rest, Marten. Tell
anybody who asks that I'm camping