The Coolidge examiner., 1932-09-02
CHAPTER VI-Continued


Here's the point. Sam, an IL sticks
out like a sore thumb. The slit
eyed son-ofa-gun that shot the old
man left a neap of tracks here In
the soft sand AT the bottom OF the
ditch an in the clay just above. He
had To light a shuck real sudden
when Phil an Miss Julia dropped
in on him unexpected But he was
heap worried about them foot
prints. SO he beats II back later
an turns the water into the ditch
So nobody can cut sign on him"
You figure maybe the Nc
Cams"
Did | mention the McCannsT
the little Texan asked in a soft
drawl.
lie went over the sandy soil and
studied IL almost In microscopic de-
tail. lie spent nearly an hour at
this before he remounted and rode
away.
Jasper Stark appeared at the
Circle Cross toward evening. He
staggered into the house with the
manner OF a master.
Julia met him and drew him into
the big room that served as the
family gathering place.
"Oh JAS" she walled. Isn't Ii
awtul?"
Il just heard" he told her.
Been roundin' up cattle all day
to sell. Fellow told me when got
back 10 Mesa. came right out"
Her memories flashed back TO
what her younger brother had said.
Phil thought he saw you near the
Three Cottonwoods. Were you up
that way?"
lie swept her face with a look
Of quick and sulen suspicion.
mo. wasn't Nowhere near
there WhyT"
That's where Dad was killed.
Some one shot wills McCann there
afterwaid We Thought maybe"
We'll. you thought wrong" he
interrupted harshly. But hope
whoever shot him did good job"
Hes alive. but awf1y badly
nurL He was shot through the lung
and the side. Doctor Sanders
thinks he hasn't much chance"
"Bunyl Where is he att"
Hes here"
Here Whacha meanT
Il mean he's here in the house,
too sick 10 move"
"Who brought him hereT"
IL did
He exploded in roar of rage
When for moment he ceased 10
below Julia mentioned more infor-
nation that added fuel TO his fury.
His fathers here looking after
him"
Pete McCann!"
Yes And there's no use shout
ing. Jas. Dads lying in the next
room. you know" She spoke quiet
ly. looking straight AT him.
He stamped up and down shak-
ing bis hig fist IL was not till he
came TO specific threat that she
interrupted.
mo you won't. Jas. You'll not
touch him. told him he might
come aud stay"
You TOLD him. Goddlemighty,
what you got To do with it? Claim
you're boss mere now, do you? III
show you about that"
Phil had come into the room and
was standing beside his sister.
"Geitin' down TO cases, just what
d'you mean. JasT he asked.
Mean? Why. amt the oldest
son; Amt ] runnin' the Circle
Cross now? You can BIT your boots
| am. I'm boss here now an don't
you forget it."
"Are you?" The eyes of the boy
consulted those of his sister be-
fore he fired his bomb. Il reckon
you're mistaken, JAS Mr.. Fletcher
sent his black boy Tom out here
last night with Dads will Right
here in this room Dad signed ii be.
fore witnesses. julie an I tried to
get him to put ii off, but he
wouldn't listen TO a word"
Jasper's face had turned a sick
ly yellow. Cut me out of it, did
he?"
Yes" The boy did not add that
Matthew Stark had said publicly to
those present that Jasper was no
son of his.
The older son was beside him
self with disappointment. ready for
any display of bad temper and
malice.
Don't get on the hook" his
brother advised. Say you act mean
an vicious. What good ii ii do
you? Soon as the will gets into
court you'll be kicked out any
how"
Jasper choked down his passion.
What Phil said was true. He had
no case for a fight in court His
only chance was that the other two
children of Matthew Stark would
ravarSe the action of their father