The Coolidge examiner., 1931-01-16
CHAPTER VlI-continued

CHAPTER VIl-Continued
3
OHara summoned his courage
and blurted out what was in his
mind. You couldn't be anything
but sweet and good. | wish-I
wish you wouldn't talk that way.
All you've done is what I'd want
You to do if--if-"
He stopped The hot blood
stained his face from throat TO fore.
head.
Barbara's soft and shining eyes
thanked him.
I'm glad you came here to i've"
she said softly.
tie did not let his eyes meet
hers. for he was afraid they might
tell too much. She offered him only
friendship. and already he knew
that he wanted more than that.
The jefferson County war had
become more Than local issue
Both factions We're iustifying them
selves in tong letters 10 the news
papers. The territorial government
favored Steelman because of his
business connections. and Sheriff
Banks mad been removed from
office on technlcality connected
with his bond Itumors of the feud
had even reached Washington and
there was talk of national inter
ference.
lngram's warriors had Jumped"
two OF Stpemans cowboys while
they were branding calf claimed
by the lIiauIond Fail. There mad
been a tighr and the two Hashknife
riders had been left dead beside
their fire
In reprisal the liaShknife forces
had captured Houck. notorious
gunnan from The Indian territory
employed by Ingram. and had left
his body in - draw.
Smith BereStord suggested com
promise To Steeinan.
What say Garrett and ride
over and have cozy little talk
with IngramI Might make the feI
low see reason. Eli what?"
Steelman reflected that il could
do no harm. Moreover, il would
be a good talking point later 10 he
able Ia say that he and his part
ners mad tried To arrange com
promise. ALSO. there was urgent
need of peace financially if 1t could
be brought about
"SuiiS me lyulph." he said.
"QueSfi"n Is about compromise.
What can Ne offer him?
What had you thought OF offer.
ing: Sieeiman asked. flicker of
cynical humnI in his eyes. He had
not faith ln the success of this
mission Hell think you've come
To tell hin we've had enough an
want 10 qut. Bur have il yore own
way. boys. Go talk with him Make
yore proposition an see what il
gets you.
The three men talked terms while
Barbara listened. One thing Steel
man insisted upon. There could he
no settlement of the trouble until
Ingram moved his men bag and
baggage from the Hughes place. If
tie would dc that IL would he evi-
dence that ne really wanted
peace
The three men drafted letter
and sent il TO Ingram by one of the
Hashknite riders Word of what
was i'm the air spread and Bob
Quantrell suggested to OHara
that he would he glad TO go to
town with him 10 meet Ingram.
Much obliged. Bob. hut | don't
think that would he wise" O'Hara
told him promptly. Since our lat
est "trip 10 town ! EXPECT YOU'D he
like a red rag to bull as far as
Ingram goes. No. we'll leave you
at home
Some nt his warriors are IjahIe
TO make trouble. Who do YOU aim
to take along with you?"
''Nohody bat I.yulph We want
to make it plain that this is TO be
a peace poWwnw Perhaps we'll
go absolutely unarmed"
Hump You've sill got lot
OF those fool notions sou bruughr
West with YOU. There will be a
dozen Ingram men in town. every
last one OF EN- armed. What guar
antee you goi that Ingram or his
pardner. Tom Harvey. won't sic
some of EN- on you like Harvey
did those fellows on me?"
Well have to take a chance on
that"
BIT after O'Hara had talked the
matter over with his two partners
it was decided that the ENJOYS
should wear their revOlvers, not as
a threat but because it was the
habit of cowboys and cattle men to