The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-10-03

Abruptly she asked: "Who do you
know there? Who sent for you?
Whose man are your"
1t was the last query that snagged
his attention.
"What do you mean, whose man
am II"
She did not answer that. Her reply
was wholly unexpected. Better turn
round and ride back to Aurora to-
morrow"
His eyes flashed interest, and some
thing more than that. 'Why, If the
court please%
Its not your kind of a country"
she said.
"What kind of country 1t Is, where
men shoot at strangers because they
may be law officers?"
She flushed. TITS a good enough
country. Of it's own kind. That Shep
Sanderson is low-down killer. You
can't judge folks by him."
II hope not, though think you sug-
gested that some one hired him."
II don't know whether anyone did
or not" she responded, and he no
ticed that at the thought her face
clouded again.
Her next remark seemed to bear no
relation to what had gone before.
"Do you know Dave Ingram? Or
my father Wesley Steelman?"
mo, MISS"
Apparently she was young person
Of abrupt transitions. "That hogleg
you carry! Can you use it?"
'Hogleg?"
'Six-shooter," she said impatiently.
"Do you carry it for show?'
"Mostly," he admitted. II killed
rattlesnake with it today"
"Can you shoot?"
81 can hit barn If l am near
enough"
"Could you hit man who was firing
at you?"
Don't think so. I'd hate to try"
"Then don't carry it. You'll be a
shinin' mark for some one to bump
you off,"
do what to me?"
"Shoot you. I'd throw it away and
play I was preacher while I stayed
at Concho. You'll be safe then. The
town is full of hard men, quick on the
shoot. That's how they settle diff
culties."
"T'd say what Concho needed was
law" he said drily.
Don't you understand" she cried.
"Men make their own law. They carry
it in holster by their side. Just now
trouble is brewing--a lot of it. There's
a feud on. Among such men a law
yer's arguments wouldn't last a
minute. Go back where you came
FROM"
He shook his head "I'm headed for
Concho. miss"
She threw up hand with gesture
that waved aside responsibility. Gall
right. It's none Of my business, any
how. I'm interferin' where shouldn't"
'I'm sorry you want to hand me my
hat before I've really started to call
on your country" he said.
"Anwhow, look the ground over be-
fore you decide to stay. Talk with
Steve Worrall. Say sent you. He's
in the freight business. You'll find
him at the Longhorn corral"
"I'll do that" he promised.
"Steve has a lot of horse sense, and
you can trust him." =
They had left the road and swung
to the right. At the summit of long
climb Miss Steelman drew up her horse.
"Our ways part here" she said.
stake that trail to the left. It's
about five miles to town. When you
come to creek go right through it.
That's Squaw Crossing. You can't
miss the road"
He hesitated. trying to find words
to thank her for her kindness. He
knew the color was driving into his
face. the effect Of shyness. A quota.
ton from "Fane Shore" came to his
mind, and he blurted 1t out:
:. Your bounty is beyond my speak
ing,
But though my mouth be dumb. my
heart shall thank you.
She flashed quick look at him,
gave a short laugh, and took the hill
trail.
Why had she made so much of warn
ing him against staying at Concho?