The Ely miner., 1926-03-05
CHAPTER XII-Continued

The big girl standing on the thres-
hold looked over her head at the trad
er. There was a little white line
pinched in at the base of Nance's
nostrils, her blue eyes were colder and
narrower than any one had ever seen
them In her life.
"McKane," she said clearly, so that
the hushed listeners behind her caught
every syllable, "you know what fight
I've made to hold my own on Nameless
since my father died-or was killed.
You know how close to the wind I've
sailed to eat, for you've sold me what
we've had. And I've always managed
to keep even, haven't II"
"Yes," said the trader uneasily.
up till six months ago when I had
to 60 In debt for new harness or do
no work in my fields this spring, ! told
you when l bought it, didn't /, why !
had to buy it?"
"Yes,' he said again.
at was because someone went into
my barn one night and cut the old
harness into ribbons. That put me in
debt to you for the first time"
She stopped and wet her lips. There
was the sound of someone rising on
the porch and Price Selwood moved
in behind her.
She felt him there and thrill went
through her, as if he had put hand
on her shoulder.
81 told you when / bought 1t that
I'd pay you when my corn was ripe
that, If 1t went well, I'd have far and
away more than enough. Well, it went
well-so well that / knew yesterday
I'd come out ahead and be able to
meet that debt and live besides. This
morning that field of corn was gone
trampled out-cut to pieces like my
harness-pounded into the dirt by a
band of cattle that had been driven
driven, you understand-over every
foot of 1t. There was wide gap cut
In the fence at the upper end. That's
all-but l can't pay my debt to you."
She stopped and sharp silence fell.
Outside the store in the shade the
stallion Bluefre screamed and
stamped.
Kate Cathrew took a quick step for
ward.
'What for did you tell this drivel
before me% she said. whats 1t to
me%
Nothing, / know" said Nance ;
maybe a laugh-maybe hope. My
big flats on the river'd feed pretty
bunch of cattle through. And home
steaders have been driven out of the
cattle country before now."
"You hussy!" cried Cattle Kate, and,
bending back she flung up the hand
which held the braided quirt. The
lash snapped viciously, but Nance ALI
son was quicker than the whip. Her
own arm flashed up and she caught the
descending wrist in the grip of hand
which had held plow all spring.
Like a lever her arm came down
and forced Kate's hand straight down
to her knee, so that the flaming black
eyes were within a few inches Of her
face.
woman" said Nance clearly, I'm
living up to my lights the best can.
I'm holding myself hard to walk in the
straight road. The hand of God is be-
fore my face and you can't hurt me-
not lastingly. Now get-Out-of
-that-door."
And turning, she moved Selwood
with her as she swung the other,
whirling like dervish, clear to the
middle Of the porch.
Kate Cathrew's face was livid, ter
rible to look upon.
She ran the short distance to the
end of the platform, leaped off and
darted to her horse, her hands claw
ing at the rifle which hung on her
saddle.
Selwood pushed Nance inside the
store and flung the door shut.
"That woman's maniac for the
moment" he said. you're best in
there"
When Kate came running back with
the gun In her hands he faced her be-
fore the closed door, his hands in his
pockets.
If any of the tense watchers had had
q doubt of Price Selwood's courage
they lost 1t then, for he took his life
In his hands.
"Kate," he said quietly, put up that
gun. This isn't outlaw country. II
you make blunder you'll hang just
like any other murderer-even If you
are Kate Cathrew."
For moment the woman looked al
him as a trapped wildcat might have
done, her lips loose and shaking, her
eyes mad with rage.
Then she struck the rifle, butt down.
on the hard earth and with a full
mouthed oath, flung around the corner
tore the stallion's reins from the ring
In the wall and mounted with a whirI
CT