Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-01-28
Chapter &c
CONSPIRACY IN TILE NEc

IONSPiHRCY I'M The PINES
In one single action Rock freet
himself from Thirty and struck Pres
ton on the side of the face.
Ash went down with a thud. Wo-
men screamed; men shouted excited
~; and all spread back hurriedly. Up
bounded Preston, with cat-like quick
ness, his hand flashing back for his
gun. But 1t was not there. He ha !
passed the sheriff and had forgotten.
If it were possible his wolfish face
CLEANED ~fiercer. His tawny hair stood
up.
"Greaser, I'll kin you for theft" he
ground out.
"Carambal" replied Rock, and made
at Preston with terrific fury. His
onslaught IA like q battering-ram.
He cared nothing for Preston's sud
den blows. He broke thru them, Ieat
him back, and knocked him against
the wall.
Ash fell, but got up cursing, to
come back wilder than ever. his face
the redder for blood. There was a
swift interchange of blows, then one
from Rock staggered Preston. An
other swift and hard, hitting solid
a long fall. Before he could rise Rock
plunged upon him, beat him with
right, left, right, left-tremendous
lows that made Ash sink limp.
Rock seized him by the neck,
'hoked and shook him as a terrier
With a rat, and rising, dragged him
TO the fountain and threw him bodily,
,nto the shallow water. Ash lay on
his back. his head just above the
surface, and tho stlil conscious he
lid not have strength to get up.
ROCK, remembering his mask, felt
or 1t and found 1t intact. That helped
'elease him from the grip of awful
niger. Thiry's white mask lay where
reston a dropped 1t. Snatching 1t
p, Rock whirled to Thirty.
Come Wen get out of
~ firm hand under her arm he
I'd, her away from the gaping crowd,
ward the outlet.
Thirty was weak. She leaned on his
rm. Still she kept up with his ra-
Id steps. Not for three blocks did
ock speak, nor did she.
"He-didn't know you" she burst
ut, then. Called you greaser!"
Yes, that's the only good thing
lbout It," returned Rock, stirring
recover under such pressure as he |
ad never experienced. He was wiring
lg wet with cold sweat and CULVER
ng In all his muscles. A knot of fire
within seemed TO be l~oosening. His
iouth was dry, his tongue thick.
My God! What shame-what dis |
srace-distress I've brought on you'll"
e muttered when he could speak.
She was sobbing q little and cling !
ng 20 the arm with which Rock up.
old her.
HE tore my waist. The gown
mother treasured. She loved 1t SO.
She'll be heart-broken."
What's a dress7-That a be-
he painted. but ! kept you
here. Too longl 1t was my-fault-
NY fault"
Il was to blame. too" she said.
"Tf | had only left when you want
ID to go!" he returned.
''Trueman, | shouldn't have gone.
knew something dreadful would
/ told you. Only he was
worse than | ever saw him"
"Worset-He was a hydrophobda
"oh. ASH . My b~rotheri" she
Her grief tortured Rock. but he did
lot have 1t In him TO retract his
lords. What language could do JUS
ice to Ash Preston! They hurried on.
Presently they reached Winters
Thirty chung to him, At the
lorch he halted. and helped her up.
Before he knew what he W, doing
lie clasped his arms around nSg rs she
TODD a little above him.
Forgive me, Thirty" he implored.
There's nothing to forgive" she
altered.
'Tll go to my room before anyone
ices me. Ash didn't know me. He
'she win TELL" said Thirty. hope
essly.
Who? Allie? Oh no." he declared.
Il meal that Jealous woman"
Amy Dabb!" exclaimed Rock. with
| start. "She did know. But she'll
no chance tonight. Reckon your
noble brother couldn't hear IL she
ried to tell him. But they'll pack
lin out Of there pronto. Tomorrow I'll
some way 10 shut her mouth"
Yes, you WILL" said Thirty, with
lad derision. Don't waste your
'reath. Trueman. Don't ask her. Per-
IL will not occur to her that Ash
know you"
Rock frightened his arms a little.
rev her closer.
Thirty, kiss me good night" he
whispered, suddenly.
'Trueman,' sne exclaimed, and
ried to draw away. But he held her,
IN she turned her face he man.
ged to kiss her cheek.
Now, you've done I'll" she cried.
What he had done abs did not say,
no ceased to pull away. That en-