The Coolidge examiner., 1931-01-16

in plain sight might save them
from attack.
To Ingram and Harvey, sitting
in the office of the store. came one
of their clerks, a young fellow who
had recently moved TO the terri
tory for lung trouble. His name
was Millikan.
They're alone" he reported.
Just rode up to the Concho house
and have gone inside They
stopped for twO-three minutes at
the LonghOrn corral before they
went to the hotel"
"Steelman not with them. then?"
"No, SIR"
Drift out into the street an
make sure none of their men join
EN-" After the clerk had gone In
gram turned to his partner We'll
let 'em wait while, Tom. Don't
want 'em TO get the notion we're
anxious for a compromise.
Harvey agreed. but added
rider: Just the same | reckon we
better meet 'em halfway. If this
war goes on much longer we'll be
busted higher than a kite, you an
me-"
Ingram looked out of the window
at the red hill shoulder dotted with
jack pines Reluctantly he admit.
ted to himself that what Harvey
said was true. The expense of
maintaining the little army of gun
men had been high Trade had
fallen off. II was a bad year for
cattle from the market point of
view. He had been forced to carry
his allies, the small ranchers in the
hills. Moreover, to meet Steelman's
encroachments he had borrowed
heavily and his ShOrt-time notes
were falling due. He could borrow
no more. The owner of the Hash.
knife had had business with most
of the bankers in the territory and
they were friendly to him rather
than to his enemies in this feud
Add 10 all this the fact that there
was talk of Intervention from Wash
ington. If soldiers came in from
the fort there was little dOub'
that they would support Steelman.
for he and Colonel Randolph bad
fought side by side In the Civil
war.
In the field Ingram could hold
his own. He was not disturbed
about that. providing always that
the United States troops did not
come in. But he had read of gen
erals who won every battle and LOST
the war. The thought of cOmpro-
mise was bitter to him. but he
knew that if Steelman mace a rea-
sonable offer he must accept 1t.
Yet he was reluctant to admit
even the possibility of defeat.
How about SteelmanT" he said.
He must he near the end of his
rope. too. His expenses are heav-
ier than ours. 1t hasn't been any
better year 70. cows for him than
II has for us. He's borrowed more
Than we have. don't you reckon?"
"Mayheso. But he's got more
money backing him than we have.
Far as we can see, Dave. we're
down TO the blanket"
well. let's hear what these fel
lows have got TO propose"
Ingram and Harvey walked down
the street TO the Conche house The
fat hotel keeper. Brad Helm. wad
died forward and wheeZed a greet,
ing.
The other guests are waitin' for
you in the dining room" he added
The cattle man moved with light
strong tread into the dining room
His cool finty eyes fastened on
the two men sitting at the table
Both of them rose 10 greet the new
comers. though neither of them of
fered 10 shake hands.
Glad 10 meet you gentle.
men, Smith-BeresfOrd said ge
nially. Make yourselves comfort
able. Cigars? Whisky? Beer?"
Nothing. thanks" Ingram an.
swered brusqueIy. "You have a
proposition 10 make. understand"
About time TO have a talk Eli
what? Sit down gentlemen"
Ingram flung himself carelessly
into n chair. I'm ready to listen"
he said.
OHara opened the conference. 81
don't know what you think. Mr.. In
gram. but as Iaw-abiding citizens
Mr.. Smith h-Reresford and feel that
the present conditions are outrage.
Gus and dep!orahle."
Are you talkin' for yourselves or
for Yves Steelman?" asked Ingram
curtly.
Were talking for him and for
ourselves. too. He is ready to patch
up a peace if you are"
Had enough. has he?" jeered
Harvey.
O'Hara looked at him. IF that's
the spirit in which you are com
ing to this conference. Mr.. Har.
vey. I'm afraid we won't get far
he said.
Say. young fellow. you're a fine
bird To come here preachin TO us"
lngram's partner retorted angriIy
why. you've done more to make
trouble than any other gunman on
the range. except maybe yOre side
kick Bob Quantrell. Who jumped
pore Shep Sanderson an devilIed
him an finally got yore hired killer
70 bump off both him an the Texas
Kid? Who tried to stop a posse
from doing its duty an killed Brad
Sewers an shot up three more dep
utieS? Who egged on Yves SteeIman
to all the deviltry that's been going