Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-12-15
NO. she fairly fred the word at

able excuse for going back to New
York. You're very welcome here.
Won't you please stay little longerr'
NO. think not. Jimmy"
He shrugged "Well. suit yourself.
But anyhow. we'll tie n can to Dlngle
and his men before you GO He stined
little yawn. I'm tired. Robby.
Ereakfasf al six tomorrow morning.
VIII you Join me? Then we can get
an early start for the old Antrim
ranch and jolt Mr. ningle out of his
completeness
She nodded and turned away to hide
the tears Of modification that ere
yelling 10 her eyes. Why couldn't he
see that she did not want to leave
Vale Verde N all? Why had he not
urged her To stay? or course he had
urged her. but then he had not been
persistent In It. # he had persisted
she would have reeonsidered No. he
did not love her Absolutely not Out.
Warelly he was fiery inwardly he was
cold.
Roberta felt very miserable as she
hade him good night with q little
catch in her throat
At breakfast Jimmy noted the faint
circles under her eyes and re1oiced
exceedingly thereat when they
worry so about n fellow that they
emit sleep. deaf man with his ear
to the ground may not infrequently
catch the faint sound Of distant wed.
ding bells" he reflected.
They chatted In desultorv fashion
during the meal. then Roberta went to
fetch her coat and hat. She was wait
ing for him at the patio gate when he
emerged from the ranch office. car
hine In his hands belt Of ammnnl-
ton around his waist and the two
pearl handled pistols tied down
TO his legs Julio brought the en-
closed car up and when they climbed
In. Roberta noticed that beside Julio
sat Ken Hobart. He was armed SIM
ilarlv to his chief and carried n spare
carhine-for the use. iran emergency.
Of the boy Julio doubtless. An hour
later they pulled up at the Antrim
ranchhouse.
Ken Hobart got out. walked to the
front door and banged on 1t loudly.
Chinaman. In greasy apron opened It.
where's Dingle?' the foreman de-
manded.
"He go ketchum sheep. No come
back long time"
Hobart walked around the house
and inspected the interior OF an equal
ly dilapIdated barn
II imagine the Ghinamans telling
the truth. Dingle's car Is not in the
barn" he reported
We've had our drive for nothing.
Ken. Well. well go back to Vale
Verde. put a couple Of saddle horses
In truck md run down to the range
where the sheep are Wen 20 as far
as we cnn with the truck, and this
car then unload and ride ZIP into the
hills. Game for the journey. Bohhy?'
She nodded and they whlrled across
the dusty plain to Vale Verde. Here
four horses were saddled and led up
ramp into large motor truck, and.
preceded by the motorcar, they headed
down the road toward Los Algodones.
They left the road presently and
broke trail across the sage to the foot
hills. where the ramp was let down
from the rear OF the motor truck and
the horses backed out.
"Ken, you and Julio ride In q north.
easterly direction" Don Jaime ordered.
Miss Antrim and will ride IN the
general direction Of that butte yonder
to the southeast Aurelio, you will re-
main here with the truck and motor
car. We viii meet here not later than
four o'clock this afternoon, Ken"
Roberta mounted the hunter Don
Jaime had given her. To her surprise
she found q light carbine nrotrutling
from holster swung under the sweat
leather on her stock saddle, and belt
Of cartridges hung over the pommel.
Am | expected to do some shooting
In the event of emergency. Jmmy?"
she qnered.
Not at all. But you can shoot-at
least that magazine article ! read
about you so stated. II we should get
separated. even briefly. I'd feel better
to know you were armed I've been
charged on this range by wild hogs
I'm that event imagine can take
care Of myself" she assured him.
They rode steadily Into the south
east. gradually climbing the butte;
when they reached Its crest a wide val
ley lay outspread before and below
them. and Don Jaime refined In his
horse. With his binoculars he swept
the country for miles In every direc-
ton. but there was no sign OF the vast
flock.
at would seem we're In for good
hard ride If we are to find Mr.. ningle
with those sheep" Roberta ventnred.
as he lowered the binoculars
'They were In that valley yesterday
and two miles south Of 1t the dav
before. There's feed for d week ynn.
der. | don't understand" lie
searched with the glass again 10 the
south, then handed 1t to her DO you
-. 4. u ~