White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-07-07

"Sure enough. Dickens he's the fell
low 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 reason
why Nora had gone to Los Angeles
and embarrassment famed in his coun-
tenance.
Mccain rescued him by commenting
on the number of characters in the
book. II never did see so many foot
loose folks trailin' around. There's
David an Peggoty an Miss Betsy an
the Murdstones an Barkis-"
"Looks like he'd have trouble with
all them folks millin' around in his
haid whilst he was writin'," the old
timer museu aloud. But this Dickens
guy sure knows how to throw rope
so as to cut out any of EN- from the
herd when he's good an ready"
Ann Clifford did not stay Her man
ner implied that she wanted to have
nothing to do with any of them except
VERIFY.
The hester spoke first. "Pd like
right well to do something for her an
her lii sister if 1 knew what" he said,
wrinllling his forehead in thought.
go course sheep are pests. / amt
denyin' that none. But seems like
these girls amt hardly to blame be-
cause old Andy Clifford was so mean
and obstinate he plumb wasn't con-
tented till he'd started trouble"
Exactly how l feel" Mccain
agreed.
Julia had opened her lips to say sub
stantially the same thing, but she
closed them again without speaking.
She did not intend to be of the same
opinion as Wilson Mccain on any
subject.
Nevertheless she had word to say
to him, and before she left she said it.
He had stepped out to bring bucket
Of water from the spring. She met
him under live oak few yards from
the house.
"You know my father is looking for
your" she said abruptly.
"Some one did mention that to me-"
he said.
"Why don't you go away? Why don't
you leave the country?" she demanded.
Because Matt Stark has served no.
tice on me of his intentions?" he asked
| grimly. "What kind of man would
l be if l ran away after that? Am
| the one lookin' for trouble? Did print
bills sayin' I'd kill him on sight?" His
| face was hard as hammered iron.
"YOu know why he did that--because
| you jumped on Jasper when he wasn't
looking and beat him when he couldn't
| defend himself"
He laughed, scornfully. "Thats the
| story he's telling, is it?"
"And now Fathers crazy mad. If
you don't 60 away"
"I'm not going" he cut in harshly.
'Then some one will be killed." she
| cried despairingly.
"Yes"
His brown competent fingers were
| on the barrel of the rifle he had been
| carrying In one hand. There flowed
| through her sense Of his virile power
This man was dangerous. His force
expressed itself in the cool luiet eyes,
| in the clean lines Of the face and fig
ure, in certain wary stiffness that
meant reserve strength.
IF you'd only go-while there's still
| time"
Her distress touched his not very
! accessible heart, the more because he
knew her capable Of fierce and print
tive passion. independence and cour-
age were Of the essence of her. But
her pride could not stand out against
the shadow Of tragedy lowering in the
background.
81 can't go. What would folks say?"
docs 1t matter what they'd say II
you were doing right?" she asked.
1T would matter to me. Besides,
| Ia not De uOluS TlsAl W Go. AAiS Ia
where l live-the only country know.
can't let anyone run me out. I've
got to go through"
"Why have you?" she pleaded. Its
all wrong, this feud. If you'd just 60
away, for while, maybe things would
| quiet down. Then you could come
back"
He shook his head. mo, can't go
don't want to have any trouble with
yore father, but If he's bent on IT.
Why it'll have to come"
With little gesture Of hopelessness
she gave up. 1t was of no use. Before
making the attempt to move him she
had known it would be. For accord
ing to the frontier code. he was right
! None but weakling could run away
after an enemy had served notice that
he was looking for him.
AS she turned away his voice stopped
her.