The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-11-19
CHAPTER XIV. (Continued)

CHAPTER XIV. (Continued)
Linton showed his contempt for
this ridiculous assertion by silently
pulling the bedding higher and snug
~ tucking it IN. Jerry promptly cl-
bowed him aside and pulled it lower.
Tom made an angry gesture, and for
third time adjusted the covers to
suit himself, whercupon Jerry imme-
diately changed them to accord with
his ideas.
Aggressivcly. violently, but with
out words this time. tho partners ar
gued the matter. They were glar-
ing at each other. they had almost
come to blows when. with a start,
Jerry looked at his watch. Swiftly
he possessed himself Of the medi-
cne-glass and spoon; to Tom he
whispered:
Quick! Lift her up"
Linton refused. Don't you know
anything" he qucried: Never
move sick person unless you have
TO. Give it to her as she lays
How you soin' to feed medicine
out Of a spoon to ANYBODY layin'
GOWN tho other demanded.
Easy" Tom took the glass and
the teaspoon; together the two men
bent over tho bed.
But Lntons hand. were .haky !;
when he pressed the spoon to Rou-
lctta's lips he spilled its contents. The
Girl rolled her head rcstlcssly
"Pshaw. She moved"
She never moved Jerry contra
dictcd. You missed her" From
his nostri!s Issued that annoying.
that insulting. snort Of dcrision which.
so sorclv tried his partners patience.
You had fair shot at her. lawn
down, Tom, anil you never touched
her"
Maybe I'd have had better luck
it YOU hadn't jigglcd INC"
Hell! Who jigglcd-?" -.
Sh--h" Once more Mr.. Quirk
had spoken aloud IF you've got
TO holler. 80 down BY the rapids"
After several clumsy attempts both
men agreed that their patient had
doubtless received the equivalent Of
:; iiill dose Of medicine, so Tom
replaced the glass and spoon. I'm
a little out Of practice" he explained.
Il thought YOU done fine Jerry
spoke with what seemed to be GENT
inc commentator. you got it in
10 her nose every time"
Tom exploded with wrath and it
was 1erry's turn TO lmand silence.
Why don't you hire a hail?' the
latter inquired "Or mebbe better
tree coon for you SO you can
lark as loud as you want to. Family
man! Huh Linton bristled ag-
excessively, but the whisperer con-
,inued:
"Onc head OF children don't make
a family any more n one head OF
hcifers makes 4 herd"
Tom palcd; he showed his teeth
beneath his gray mustache. Lean
ing forward, he thrust his qpivering
bearded face close to the hateful
countenance opposite him. "Dyou
,,ean to call my daughter heiie,s'
he demanded. in restrained fury.
Keep them whiskers to yourself
Jerry snapped. "You can't pick a
row with me, Tom: don't quarrel
with nobody. l didn't call your
daughter a heifcr, and you know 1
didn't. No doubt she would of made
a fine woman if she'd Of grown up,
but Say! ! bet l know why YOU
lost her. I bet you poured so much
medicine in her crib that she
drowndcd." Jerry giggled at this
thought
That amt funny" the other rum
hled. If thought you meant to
call member Of my family a
heifer-"
You've called your wife wors. n
that. I've heard you"
Il meant everything ! said. She
was an.old catamount and"
"Prob'bly she was fine woman"
Jerry Rad discourteous habit Of
interrupting. NO wonder she
walked out and left you aat-sl,c
was human No doubt she had a
fine character to start with. So did
!. for that matter. but there's limit
to human endurance" =.
You don't have to put UP with me
any longer than YOU want to-" Linton
stormcd, under his breath. 1--WE can
get divorce easy. All it takes is a
saw"
You made that crack once before,
ard l called your bluff" Jerry's
angry face was now outtl,rust; only
will, difficulty did he maintain a tone
inaudiblc to the sick pirl. "Out Of
pity I helped YOU up and handed You
back your crutclles. But this time
III let you lay where you fall. A
hundred dollars a dozen for lemons!
For a poor little sick girl! You
amt got the bowels Of sharkw
1T was your proposition"
1T wasn't"
1T was"
Some folks lie faster n a goat
can gallop." a @
Meaning mc?"
WHO else would l mean" al.
!, why don't you call me a liar and
lido. 1t amt news to anybody
but you!" 3e-s
Having safely landed his craft be-
low the rapids 'Poleon Dofet hur-
ried back to his tent to find the part
ners sitting knee to knee. face to
face. and hurting whispered inco-
.hcrencies at each other. Both men
were in poisonous mood, both were
ripe for violence They overlooked
with wrath. They were glazing;
they shook their fists; they were
racked with. fury: insult followed
abuse; and the sounds that issued
from their throats were like the
rustlings of a corn-feld in an au-
turnn gale. Nor did INQUIRY elicit a
sensible explanation from either.
"Heifer. Ell? Drowned my own
child. did II" Tom ground his teeth
in ferocious manner.
Don't file your tusks for me"
Terry chartered: "6le the saw. We're