The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-10-10

an Yves are what you might call ar
bitrary an bullheaded. There's no
compromise in either one of 'em, an
each thinks he ought to be chief.
Consequence is, trouble. 1t grew to u
head after a fellow called Shat Brown
was killed. Shat was one of the li'r
hill ranchers UP Jim Wilson creek an
he was lined up with Ingram. You've
got to understand that while Ingram
an Steelman are major-domos. as you
might say, of their factions, they can't
ride herd on every ornery waddy that
trails along. with Them 4>te.-.2i,
Il think see" O'Hara said drily.
''They reap the benefit of murder with
out being responsible for it. A con-
venient arrangement" A5@i5
That's no word to use, not in this
country" Worrall told him severely.
If you aim to live long in the land
you'll have to get educated. When
folks have trouble out here they may
have difficulty resultin' in shoot
ing. I've been present at some kill
ings, but that word of yours amt
some skunks it applies to, but we most
generally hang them to the end of
propped-up wagon pole or cotton
wood"
"Tll have to learn the technical diff
ferences in honlicides," the lawyer
said.
Worrall detected a faint flavor of
irony in this remark. He dropped his
feet from the table and rested an arm
upon it, leaning forward toward his
guest.
"See here, young fellow, I'll offer
you advice free gratis, seeing as Miss
Steelman sent you to me an seeing as
1 kinda cotton to you anyhow. Keep
yore mouth padlocked. Folks fight
here at the drop of the hat. Maybe
you got sand in yore craw. l amt
sayin' no. Worse for you if you have,
for you wouldn't last split second
when some low-down bird smokes up.
Where was at? After Shat Brown
got killed Ingram an his store pard-
ner Tom Harvey began to bring in
Texas warriors. So did Steelman an
Mccarthy. I'm not tellin' any secret
when I say that right soon now some
one is gonna drop match in keg
of powder an our li'r private war will
begin to pop"
"YOu mean" re-.
II mean that If Shep Sanderson
hadn't made mistake in his man to-
day an had shot straighter, If he had
killed Judge Warner, the fat would al
ready have been in the fire."
How does Judge Warner come
into it?"
Another long story in that, but the
upshot of it is that tomorrow he's ex-
pected to make Yves Steelman admin
istrator Of the estate Of Jerry Hughes.
Jerry was friend Of Migrants an his
place is a sort Of strategic point be-
tween the Diamond Tail an the upper
Hashknife ranch. Both Yves an Dave
want mighty bad to control it." Wor-
rail- added, to make the situation
clearer: "Dave stepped in an took
charge of the place when Jerry died.
He'd hate to give it up"
$50 as a simple way out he decided
to kill Judge Warner, an innocent
party"
Judge Warner is known to be
friendly to the Steelman side, an we
don't know that Dave knew thing
about what Shep was amin to do.
Myself, I don't hardly think he did.
If you want to stay in Concho an be
Dave Ingram's man or Yves Steel
mans why hop to it an hang up yore
single. I wouldn't wish to insure
yore life, but that's neither here nor
there, as the fellow said when his two
wives met an he lit out for the
chaparral."
O'Hara rose. eff I hang out my
single I'll be by own man."
The long man grinned. you'll have
heap of time on yore hands to learn
yore Blackstone thorough" he an
swered.
"And you, Mr.. Worrall? Do you
expect to sit on the fence and keep
out of this fight?"
II wish I knew" Worrall answered
impulsively. I'D like to, but here's
where I'm at. Ingram an Harvey
have got their own freight outfit. /
haul for Steelman's store an for pri-
vate parties. Looks to me like I'm
gonna be drug in whether I want to
or not, but you'll sure hear me yellin'
for while that I'm an innocent by.
stander."
Imps Of mischief kicked up their
heels in O'Hara's brown eyes. His
remark apparently had no connection
with anything that had gone before
Eyes, Miss Steelman is very attrac-
tive lady. AS you say. If you're going
to be dragged in anyhow"
Worrall blushed beneath the tan
"Who said anything about Miss Steel.
MANI"
The young lawyer fled. but he flung
a grin back at the innocent by.
stander."
tTo BE coNTINUED)