White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1925-12-25
(Continuad from Last Week.
CHAPTER 10
Burning Lips

"I'm needing new foreman at the
ranch, O'Rourke. Will you help us
out?"
Terence looked at Mary. The
smile on her lips seemed to say,
"Please say yes" He turned back
to her father, and answered,
"I'll be glad to, sir"
And so it was arranged that Ter
ence should accompany Mary to Lati-
go to bank the money for the pur-
chase of the 1000 feeders needed on
the ranch with the balance of the
money to pay off the men.
Mary kissed her father good-by af-
fectionately, and Terence and he
again shook hands. Then the lovers
started off on their errand, Marshall,
having given up his horse to his
daughter, mounted double with Miqu-
ell, and, Bud following, started back
toward Paradise Canyon Komi van
ished into his hills.
The phone in the Pico Bar rang.
Topaz Taggart and Doc Willets were
still sitting at their table awaiting
the outcome of their scheme.
"Mr. Taggart," the bartender called
Taggart grabbed the receiver with
excitement. A fierce scowl crossed
his face as he heard Buck McLeod's
voice reporting:
"a bird named O'Rourke mixed in
and spoiled the play. He and the girl
are heading for Latigo to bank the
coin. Then they're going to the
ranch"
Taggart roared an oath. Then after
a moments thought he commanded
into the telephone,
well, get your boys together,
Buck, and come up to the ranch
secretly. I'll have more work for
you to do"
Taggart returned to his table.
"Marshalls girl got through" he
snarled. She's banking the money
in Latigo, and then coming up to the
ranch. Some bird named O'Rourke
is with her."
Dock Willets whistled medita.
lively.
Now this Marshall girl mustn't
| get wise that we framed to have
her lose the money!" Taggart went
on. II don't want Marshall to know
I'm embarrassing him until it's too
late"
Willets NODDED, then asked, with a
leer,
| Look here, Topaz, what're you so
anxious to get hold of Marshall's land
| for? You amt no real dyed-in-the.
wool cattleman."
Taggart, nervously lingering his
topaz watch CHARM scoWed suspic
iously at the other man, studying his
face trying to read what was behind
the question. Finally he forced {
grin, and with assumed good-nature
replied,
"Ain't telling you all my secrets
Doc. But you help me get that Mar
shall ranch and maybe I'll wise you
up to little deal I'm amin to put
through with that fool Injun, Komi.
Willets' eyes glanced furtively tc
the topaz charm, and he smiled queer
ly to himself.
Taggart rose.
well, better run up to the ranch
and prepare for my VISITORS" he said
Both men grinned.
II want you to come along will
me, Doc" Taggart added, "but no
to act on the reception committee
You'll just keep yourself out of thu
way with the boys, and be ready tt
help when you're called"
The two men then left the bar
mounted their horses, and gallopet
off.
"And this is poor Daddy's ranch.
Mary's voice trembled with sal
emotion.
think, Terence-fifteen years since
| was last here-and then, Of course
l was only little bit of girl, ant
I can't remember a thing about i
now. Except it all seems vaguel.
familiar and homelike-as though
belonged here"
They had pulled up their horses II
front of the entrance, and were ga2
ing at the corrals, the ranch build
ings, and the cowboys trotting hithe
and thither.
Mary had been impatient to con
plete her mission. So after arrivin
in Latigo she and Terence had re
manned only long enough to deposi
$4,000 in the bank, and then had Sc
out at once for the Bar M Ranch.
Mary's expression was melanchol
as she sat in her saddle, thinkin
now of the tragic night her fathe
had fled with her in his arms fror
the very ranch house she was no'
gazing at, the place that had bee
his homeland crossed the Mexica
border, never to return. Terenc
reached for her hand, pressed it, the
looked into each others eyes earnes