The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-04-29

The sheck to Christie was perfectly
hidden in her establishment. She
opened her eyes as IL inviting the
most rigorous inspection. "Why,
nothing! Why do you ask that? At
least" she went on-and then little
hateful telltale color rose, nothing
that know of-why, Blll2"
Pardaloe, having discharged his
fowling piece, chewed his fresh NOR
sci of tobacco into place, looking no
longer at Christie but at the floor
somewhat to one side Of her, his
mouth drawn down to gloomy curve.
"He don't come here no MORE" he OBJ
served at length.
Christie tossed her head. "Well,
he's a very busy man, and, of course,
has lots of friends besides US"
Pardaloe CROPPED steadily ahead.
"Are you his friend?" he asked with
nasal skepticism. H.
She protested establishment. "Why,
yes, hope so. Bill'-Christie raised
her voice-"what are you asking all
these questions for?" Then q panic
seized her. "What do you mean, Bill?
Is Selwood hurt?"
For an instant the book of her
woman's heart lay open before the
big fellow-her look of sudden, deadly
fear, Bill had pretty good idea now.
He shook his head to her, question.
mo, no. Nothing like that at all,
Christie. But what's wrong tween you
and John?" ..,nl,r- g.,.sl
.Pardaloe was treading on thin Ice
for mule boss; and among the dam
gers he had not, counted on was the
reaction in woman's feelings after
she has betrayed her secret.
With flush of anger Christie sud-
denly chilled. I'm sure I've no idea
what you're talking about, Bill. And
it's very silly to keep on talking about
it," So saying, Christie became very
busy with her dry-gOods and left Par
daloe looking after her retreating
heels and studying the floor with even
more than his habitual concentration.
But he was not easily discouraged.
Having thought seriously over the sit
uation and braced himself slightly for
second attempt, Pardaloe returned
to the store an hour later to straight
en- "the girl's"-for so he called
Christie-troubles out.
Christie" he insisted gravely, ut
amt no use our beatin' around the
bush. There's trouble tween you and
John" She protested, denied, in
terrupted-it was all one. Pardaloe
probed until poor Christie took refuge
in woman's last weapon-tears. This
argument threatened to reduce Par
daloe to the same state, but it cleared
the atmosphere, and Christie, touched
by his honest interest. told him the
story of the scene between Starbuck
and Selwood and herself that event
full morning In the store. 1T wouldn't
have been so bad" trembled Christie,
grieved and resentfui, "if he had even
tried to explain or excuse it. He said
himself" she murmured in final re-
proach of Selwood and his pleader,
"he was just common gambler"
This seemed to give Pardaloe fav-
orable opening. "Dash it," he thun-
dered, not loud, but deep in his rever-
berations, She amt no common gam
bier. There's no man on the Overland
Trail dast set up against him in a
game Of poker all night-if he wants
to play. tell VI know-Ive tried
it. And why he can't talk up to you,
Christie, is because, dash it, he's in
love with you-that's why. tell y.
I'm married man, Christie, n un-
derstand such things"
She refused to hear another word,
and Pardaloe went away not exactly
knowing whether he had helped his
favorite young man in Sleepy Cat or
hurt him by extOlling his technical
skill.
Selwood slept later than usual that
day. After his solitary meal in the
dining-room, he went down to the
barn, where Carpy found him later
and took him to the doctors office in
the hotel. There he sat for some time
with Selwood in serious confab. "I'll
dSiCCS OOALA, hC NOuAtCiilS u
contemptuous remark Of Selwood's,
there's been a good deal of loose
Vigilante talk here, different times.
But this time it isn't going to
stop with talk. This towns got the
worst reputation in the mountains"
"Whom are they going to clean it
up with?" demanded Selwood con-
temptously. "These old Indian traders
-Roubidoux, Van Tambel, Otto Kick
busch-and the real estate boomers?
want to tell you it's mans job to
clean out Starbuck and Atkins crowd"
"Well'-Carpy hesitated and sum-
mOned twinkling smile "they
thought maybe you might take a
small personal interest in the enter
prise"
II shan't," declared Selwood with
out hesitation, land you can tell 'em
so. I'm getting to be pretty fair
hand at minding my own business"
"The drift now" continued Carpy,
sis that If the town amt cleaned up,
the railroad will go clean around it
and leave US out in the cold. The real