Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-02-21

ranger Morrow demanded IF there
is I'd like to know"
"Then I'll tell you.' Harris an.
swered. 1.-THE road Is open-as long
as you keep op the road. Any time
you stray OF the beaten trail you're on
the Three Bar range. don't figure
to ct gunned mp from the brush more
than once by the same mals Every
Three Bar boy has orders to shoot
you down on sight any time you heave
in view anywhere within twen,y
miles OF the Three Bar; so ! wouldn't
stray Off the main-trayeled road any
time you're going through"
Iitnky Evans had detached himself
from group and Morrow looked up
to find the tall man standing at his
shoulder.
"So ", hrnt In pairs." Morrow re-
marked
"And later In packs" Lanky re-
turned. "Wh, don't you ever come
up und visit us? Every line I'm
riding north keep looking back, ex-
pecting to see you come cantering up
from the SOUTH"
whats the object of all this con-
versationl" Morrow fared. IF you've
got anything to say to me, why, get
II over with"
Nothing special" Evans said. Il
just thought maybe could goad you
into being imprudent enough to come
up our way-which I'm sure hoping
to observe you north OF the line and
snmewher Within a thousand yards"
Evans turned away and MORE w
rejolned the two men he had left at
the bar. Deane looked about him.
Apparently no one had noticed the
little by-play.
"Rvans didn't exactly mean quite all
OF that." Harris explained. or course
II Morrow does come up our way
Lanky would prefer to see him first
but he would rather he'd keep away.
lie staged that little talk as safe
guard for me II Morrow acquires the
Idea that several folks are anxious to
see hill. up there, he's apt to be real
cautious how he prowls -ound the
Three Bar neighborhood looking for
me-"
Deane crossed over to Billie. The
music started but she shook he, head
as he " uld have led her to the floor.
"Slt do, n. want to talk with you.
Long I'm no see um after tonight"
she said. It'll be daylight soon and
I've LONE tale to tell.
As the others danced she gave him
a dozen messages tt impart to various
friends. 444.
"Tell Judge Cotton that Three Bar
stock is rising" she said And that
as soon as things are all smoothed
out, he can expect me for boarder."
Through ar opening In the dancing
throng Deane suddenly had clear
view OF the open rear door-one brief
glimpse before the OVID closed once
more and shut of his view. He had
an Idea that he had seen face, hnzy
and indistinct. few feet outside the
door. lie wondered II II CO Id be the~
friend for whom Harris had search d.
MAKE the visit soon. Billie he
urged. ITS been long month since
we've had you with us. We thought
maybe you'd deserted us hack there.
How soon will this visit start--and
how long will II last1"
ut will start as soon as the Three
bar doesn't need me-" she said. And
last long time"
Again lane opened through the
crowd. afrordng a view OF the door.
Deane san the face outside In the
night, and foot or more below II
some bright object glinted n the dim
light which filtered through. The mu-
sic ceased and the chant OF the rou-
lette croupier began. mingIIng with
the smooth purr OF the Ivory ball.
There came sudden hush from the
vicinity OF the rear door. hush that
spread rapidly throughout the room,
50 swift are the perceptions OF from
tier gathering
Old RIle Foster stood Just inside,
his gun Lalf-raIsed before him Can
field and Lang stood together In the
center OF til, floor, apart from the
rest and with no others In line beyond
the, !. Islle tossed boot heel on TO
the floor and as It rolled toward the
two men he hot Garfield through the
chest. Lang's gun crashed almost
with his own. Riles knees sagged I'M
der him and he pitched face down on
the floor. his arms sprawled out before
him.
The surge OF the crowd pressing
back out of line, threw the albIno ON
the edge Of 1t, his big form towering
alone.
The old man raised his head from
the floor and crooked his wrist with
the las, OF his ebhlng strength.
-Four for Bangs" he said. and shot
Harper between the eyes.
ITO BE CONTINUED.)