The Coolidge examiner., 1932-08-12
CHAPTER IV-Continued

dt IKE ludlCH- hudu you
know that's newI"
mot much. Gather of beeves on
Poison creek next month. Some
more rustling up in the hills, they
say"
McCann chatted easily, casually,
with the hester, ignoring the burn
Ing resentment that held the girl
passlonately silent. His manner
was coolly Indifferent, but not for
a moment was he Off guard.
Watching him covertly, Julia saw
a sudden change in the lounging fig
ure. The back Strengthened and
the muscles grew taut. Every sense
was quickened to life. For some one
was coming up the path toward the
house.
Julia moved quickly to the door.
then drew a breath of relief. She
had dreaded and half expected to
see her father. But the approach
Ing figure was that Of a young
woman.
The new arrival was Ann Clifford
She had brought with her a cake.
Since Yerby's accident she had been
In the habit of coming every day TO
supply the simple needs. Even her
fierce aloofness had not been proof
against the little mans good will.
Nobody who knew him could con-
tinue TO dislike Jim Yerby.
Meet Miss Julia Stark. Miss Gif
ford" their host said, and after
pronounclng the formula added !:
miss Julia, she's jest back from
Los Angeles, where she's learned
most everything they is to know
outa them schoolbooks. | reckon"
Julia laughed at this testimonial
as she stepped forward to shake
hands. She had wanted to meet the
Clifford girls ever since her return.
Ann was still holding the cake and
she did not put 1t down. Coldly she
bowed.
Il called the other day, Miss
Clifford. but you weren't at home"
Julia said. MAY / come again
some day soon?'
Were often out with the Sheep"
Ann replied.
II was rebuff. but Julia refused
to accept II. You can't be out all
the time. I'll try my luck again."
she said.
Yerby tried TO cover AIMS dis
courtesy by a flux of words. Miss
Julia. she was Jest startin' to read
TO me from this here David Dick
ems book"
David Copperfeld," Julia cor
rected.
"Sure enough. Dickens, he's the
fellow that owns the brand. Well.
] was sayin' that this Steerforth
duck, the one that done III Emily
dirt, why some one had orta hung
his hide out to dry, seems like. !
don't hold with dry-gulching, you
understand. but there's times"
The hester stopped abruptly, the
springs Of his garrulity dried up. A
glance at Ann Gifford's frozen face
had done it. He recalled the rumors
that had come to him as to the rea-
son why Nora had gone to Los An
geles and embarrassment famed In
his countenance.
McCann rescued him by comment
ing on the number OF characters In
the book. II never did see so many
foot-loose folks .trailin' around.
There's David an Peggotty an Miss
Betsy an the Murdstones an
Barkis-r
Looks like he'd have trouble with
all them folks millin' around in his
haid whilst he was writin'," the old
timer mused aloud. But this Dick
ems guy sure knows how TO throw
a rope so as to cut ont any Of em
from the herd when he's good an
ready"
Ann Clifford did not stay. Her
manner implied that she wanted 10
have nothing to do with any of them
except Yerby.
The hester spoke first. I'D like
right well TO do something for her
an her lii sister IL knew what.
he said. wrinkling his forehead In
thought. 90 course sheep are pests
l amt denyin' that none. But seems
like these girls amt hardly To blame
because old Andy Clifford was SC
mean and obstinate he plumb wasn't
cOntented till he'd started trouble.
Exactly how feel" McCanr
agreed.
Julia had opened her lips 10 say
substantially the same thing. bu
she closed them again withou
speaking. She did NOT intend to ht
of the same opinion as Wilson Ne
Cam on any subject.
Nevertheless she had a word tC
say to him, and before she left sh,
said it. He had stepped out 10 brin.
a bucket of water from the spring
She net him under a live oak a few
yards from the house.
You know my father is loOkin:
for your she said abruptly.