Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-09-08


wise? At least you'd start with one
advantage. She was still unmarried
when this magazine went to press"
"One Antrim at a time Ken. When
I've disposed of Tom 1t will be time
to dream of having a look at Ro-
berta.'
You aren't afraid they're related,
are you."
Don jaime favored his guest with
whitening glance. "A man named
Jim Hobart was hanged at Austin
last week." he retorted WAS he
relative of yours-this train robber
aud murderer
Yes Ken Hobart answered even
ly. The was my half-brother. And |
tracked him and captured him.
black sheep will crop out in the best
of regulated families. you know
Don james hand caressed that OF
his friend Il did not know. | am
sorry. my friend"
Ken Hobart turned bleak eyes upon
his host. Il want to quit the rangers.
Don Jimmy. wasn't testing when
| said I'd like to be the manager OF
Rancho Vale Verde IL you should
ever need me-
.'You are the man have been seek
Ing Ken. When you reach town to-
morrow wire your resignation to the
governor of Texas. and as soon as
you are released return here"
Hope you'll be here when I arrive,
Jimmy. You've got to fight that An
trim outfit. and when you do. for the
Lords sake be careful really want
this job"
IF I am still here you will be as
sistant general manager. II ! am
not here you will be general manager
and executor of my estate. | will
make new will tonight. Your salary
/ will never be less than the one you
/ enjoy at present Write your own
ticket" he added. with touch of the
tremendous prodigality Of his Cas-
titan hlood-a prodigality developed
to an excess growth doubtless. be-
cause of the tremendous ineonse
quence Of his rugged environment.
Don Jaime made his will and hand
ed 1t to Ken Hobart at breakfast the
following morning. Your instruc-
/ tons are all in that envelope, too he
explained. "in case | should be unfor-
| tunate. ! have some Mexican first
cousins. they're emgres. living in Los
Angeles, and I'm leaving them the
ranch in trust. with you as trustee
i and manager. The revolutions have
ruined them and support them now.
Socially. I'm proud Of them. but the
fact remains that they're Id spend
thrifts. and If they had their way
they'd sell this ranch and the cattle
for fifty cents on the dollar in order
to start snlnrging again And Mex
lean grandee Is much too conscien-
tious a splurger to continue on the
job indefinitely Consequently /, with
my acquired American conservatism,
must look after the poor Devils
Don jaime" Hobart protested.
I'm your employee now. I'll wire
the governor Of Texas my resignation
and, without waiting for its accept
ance~ I'll ride back in time to be pres
ent when Antrim's sheep come to the
guarded water-holes.'
Don jaime smiled "As you will,
Ken While | require no additional
In frto fvs
hiring you still"-he shrugged and
grimaced as only Latin can't is
nice to have 1t. AS you know. we OF
the Higuenes tribe are easy-going peo-
pie. We do not require the services
Of supermen, for we have never had
them. but we have been accustomed tt
loyalty. Because | know you are
loyal to your Job i have engaged you.
''rhankayou, Don jaime"
They rode away into the southeast
together. In clump of cottonwoods
n hundred yards from the sheep camT
they parted, Don jaime waiting while
the ranger rode into the camp of the
invaders.
SmallSn unpreposseSslng man
who might have been anywhere from
forty-ive to sixty years Of age, stood
under !, smoke-discolored fly over {
small barbecue pit upon which sid
of mutton was roasting. AS tn,
ranger rode up. this man placed hi
arms alSimbo, and gazed alertly at tn
stranger.
"All set for quick grab for hi
gum" Ken Hobart reasoned. "Wil
old wretch y Aloud he said, "Goo
morning, Mr.. Antrim"
Hello, yourself" Antrim replied
with an assumption OF heartiness
whats your name when lunch |
ready?"
Hobart grinned. I'm Captain Ht
} bart, OF the Texas Rangers. I su,
} pected luncheon might be ready abou
the time was due to ride by, 30 Nv
> invited myself"
q You're welcome, ranger. What
! the gossip around your way"
+ ~ Hobart dsmounted and tied h
v horse to the breeze. Nothing nue.
d. A little smuggling, little gun-ru
u ming, a cattle raid to vary the mono
ony. killing. Things are pretty qui