White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1925-12-04
A Compelling Story Of the Romantic West
THE FIGHTING RANGER
BYE. J. MCCONNELL and GEORGE W. PIPER
Copyright 1925

his steers"
Both men grinned hastily.
Taggart pulled at his cigar, and
continued:
Nov, If he fails to raise the cash,
his ranch will be sold for taxes" He
paused, pulled, slapped his knee,
and leering, went on: And We can
buy the place in with the money we
got from that last bunch of steers"
Willets nodded and chuckled.
Lets have another drink on thai"
he said, and called the bartender.
An excited man burst through the
swinging doors and rushed up to
Taggart's table. 1t was the keeper
of the general store around the cor
ner
Look, Mr.. Taggart, at these" said
the storekeeper, holding hand full
of brown topaz stones under Tag
CARTS eyes, You'll like them. Abe
they real?"
Taggart excitedly examined the
gems and asked,
"Where'd you get 'em, Bill?"
"That old Injun-Komi-jus gave
'em to me for some grub" replied
the storekeeper.
Taggart yelled his excitement,
shrugged his shoulders indifferently,
and showed the gems back at the
storekeeper.
eyes, they're real all right, Bill
pretty good bargain for you," he
said
Beneath his exterior pretense of
calm, a great wave Of excitement,
stirred by the gems, was surging in
his mind. Taggart, and Taggart alone
knew something Of the strange secret
guarded by Komi And this secret
was the real reason for his desire to
acquire the Marshall ranch.
"Well, thanks, Mr.. Taggart-g'by,"
said Bill, and departed.
Taggart and Wilets had barely re-
comm enced chatting when they were
again interrupted by newcomer en-
tering the saloon. This time it was
Buck Mcleod, the escaped prisoner
from Paradise Canyon who had spied
at Marshall's window the night be-
FORE Buck lost no time in reaching
Taggart's table and seating himself.
"Well, Buck, any news?" Taggart
asked eagerly.
News, Chief?" Buck grinned and
| quaffed at the drink which had been
brought him. "I've got news that'll
make your eyes pop out"
well, out with it-quick, what is
it?" Taggart commanded.
Buck related his adventures In
Paradise Canyon, and ended with en-
phasis, on the statement.
$50 Marshall is sending his girl il
to the bank this. morning with $50,
ZOO"
81 knew the old fox had some
cash planted somewhere. That's why
1 told him his ranch affairs were il
such bad shape. He doesn't dare
show himself-for fear of capture"
doc" Willets leaned forward
grinning, and said,
Look here, Topaz, this is too goot
a chance to overlook"
Willets glanced at Buck AM
winked. Buck winked. Taggar
dropped back in his chair, grinning
Right you are, boys" he said.
They put their heads together.
She'll probably be coming in owe
the upper TRAIL" Willets whispered
NEED more be said?"
II get you, Doc" answered Tag
CART, with broad leer well, there
no time to lose. You know you
stuff, Buck. Are you ready?"
Buck nodded. Taggart rose an
called to three COW punchers at tn
bar.
Got job for you, boys" erie
Taggart.
The men followed him and Buc
to the door. Willets, grinning, cam
, up behind. The group talked in 10,
voices just outside the saloon, tn
men nodding as they grasped Tag
CARTS instructions. Then Buck mount
ed his horse, and the other four quicl
ly followed suit.
|, Taggart and Willets, putting a
their cigars, watched grinning a
Buck and his men disappeared in
cloud of dust.
(To Be Continued)