Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1925-01-16


"Who said 1t wasn't?" demanded
the other querulOusly. "Only you
amt got any call to be a hawg, Bud.
Besides, I got a right to see If there's
a fair break, amt I? Say, look at
them cow brutes back y"nder! Don't
1t beat all how siiage, when you use
1t right, shapes 'em up"
Few enough words were said as the
miles were flung behind them; few
were needed. A swift glance showed
Carson that Lee carried a revolver
in his shirt; his own gun rode plainly
in evidence in front Of his hip. What
little conversation rose between them
was of ranch matters. They spoke
Of success now with confidence. These
two fOremen alone could see the
money in late winter and early spring
from their cattle and horses to carry
the Blue Lake venture over the rap
Ids. Then there were the other re-
sources Of the diversified undertak-
ing, the hogs. the prize stock, the
olives, poultry, dairy products. And
soon or late Western Lumber would
pay the price for the timber tract,
soon, If they saw that they had to
pay 1t or lose the forests which they
had so long counted upon. Lumber
values were mounting every day.
Neither man, when 1t Chanced that
Bayne TrevOrs' name was casually
mentioned, suggested "Why not go
to the law?' For to them it was very
clear that, once in the courts, the
man who had played safe would laugh
at them. Against Judiths oath that
he had kidnapped her would stand
Trevors' word that he had done moth
ing Of the kind, coupled with his care
fully established perjured alibi and
the lying testimony of the physician
who had visited Judith in the cave.
This man and that might be rounded
up, Shorty and Benny and Poker Face,
and If any of them talked-which
perhaps none of them would-at most
they would say that they had no or
ders from anybody but Quinnion. And
where was Quinnion, who stood as a
buckler between Trevors and prOsecu-
ton? And what buckler in all the
world can ever stand between one man
and anOther7
Now and then Carson sent a quick
questioning glance toward Lees in
scrutable face; now and then he
sighed, his thoughts his own. Bud
Lee, knowing his companion as he did,
shrewdly guessed that Carson was
hoping that events might so befall
that there would be an open, free-fOr-
all fight and that he might not be
forced to play the restless part Of
mere OnlOOker. Bud Lee hoped
otherwise.
There's two ways to get man."
said Carson meditatively, out of
long silence. "An' both Is good ways
with gun or with your hands"
YES" agreed Bud quietly.
IF 1t works out gun way" continued
Carson, still with that thoughtful,
half-abstracted look in his eyes, lit
don't hurt to remember, Bud, that he
shoots left-handed an from the hip"
Lee merely nodded. Carson did not
look up from the bobbing ears of his
horse as he continued:
"If 1t works out the other way an
it's just fists, 1t don't hurt to remem-
ber how Trevors put out Scotty Webb
last year in Rocky Bend. Four-footed
style. striking with his boot square
in Scotty's belly"
Trevors name was not again re-
ferred to even In the vaguest terms
The road In front Of them, at last
dropping down into the valley In
which the lumber-camp was. straight
ened out into lane that ran between
stumps to the clutter of frame build
ings.
Something doing at the Office" Of
fered Carson, az they drew near. "Di-
rectors' meeting, likely"
Two automobiles stood in the road
ten steps from the closed door of the
unpretentious shack which bore the
printed legend. "Ofice, Western Lum-
Der Company" The big red touring
car certainly belonged to Melvin, the
cOmpany's president. Carson looked
curiously at Lee.
Bud dismounted. dropped his horses
reins shifted the revolver from his
shirt to his belt where 1t was at once
unhidden and loosely held, ready for
a quick draw. Then he went up the
three steps, Carson at his heels, his
gun also unhidden and ready. From
within came voices, one in protest,
Bayne Trevors' ringing out, filed with
mastery followed by laugh. Lee set
his hand to the door. Then, only be-
cause 1t was locked from within, did
he knock sharply.
"Who 10 it?" came the sharp in
Quiry. But the man who made it and
who was standing by the door, threw
1t open.
What do you want?" he demanded
again Were busy"
II want to see Trevors," said Lee
coolly.
you can't. He"
Lee showed the man aside and
strode on. Carson, close at Lees heels,
his eyes glittefing, stepped little
aside when once he WAS within the