The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-03-14
Chapter AS A JEALOUS LIAR

Chapter AS
 A JEALOUS LIAR
 T reckon so" rejoined Rock, slowly.
 Then Mrs. Winter entered with breakfast for Rock. She was a slim, plain, busy little body, with gray hair, kindly eyes and a moth- erly manner.
 'Mawnin, Trueman she greeted him, smiling. "Sol says the bars are down an heah I've rustled you fruit, rice, egg, toast and cof- fee"
 Mother Wintel, you're no less than an angel" returned Rock, gratefully. Sol, help me sit up in bed. Oh, can if you'll life me. y" Hurt much?" inquired Winter, when the desired position had been attained.
 "Reckon-a little. Now, fetch it to me, Mother Winter"
 Do you hear the church bell?" she asked as she deposited the tray on his lap.
 Sure. Then it's Sunday"
 "Yes. and another Sunday you might go to church with a crutch. y
 Me go to church? Lord, can't you see the congregation scatterP"
 About my news" said Winter when Mrs. Winter had left the room. Gage Preston paid me the money you gave slagle. Yesterday, before he left"
 "Left?n echoed Rock, putting down his cup.
 ~Yep, he left on Number Ten for Colorado" replied Winter, evi- dently gratified over the news he had to impart Go on with your breakfast, son. I'll talk. I've been wantin to for days.
 Rock. it all turned out better n we dared hope. They tell me Hes bitt was stubborn as a mule, but Dabb an Lincoln together flattened him out soft. I got it all from Amy. who has been most darn keen to help. Rock, thet little lady has a bad conscience over somethin'.
 wal. with the steer market iumpin' to seventy-five, even Hes btt couldn't stay sore long. They fixed it up out of court. Dabb an Lincoln made it easy for Preston They bought him out, ranch, stock an'all Savvy those foxy ranchersi They shore had a chance an they fell on it like a turkey on a grass hopper. Cost Preston somethin biz to square up, but at thet he went away heeled. I seem him at the station"
 Did he go alone?" asked Rock gazing away out of the window at the distant pine slopes.
 NO. His three grown sons were with him. All slicked up. Shore is an adventure for them. Looked to me they didn't care much. At thet. there's alarmed little gossip The rest of the Prestons are in town. but I haven't seen them.
 Funny Tniry doesn't run in to see me. I met Sam Whipple's wife. She saw Thiry an Alice, who are stayin' at Farrell's. She said she couldn't see much sign of T'hiry's takin' Ash's death very hard Thet shore stumped me. But Thiry is game"
 Reckon she they'll all be leavin' soon, returned Rock,
 Don't know, but I'll find out pronto. If they did leave, like the old man, without seein' you, or at least one word of thanks-Wal, IT change my idee of them"
 Sol, you can't expect them to thank me for-depletin' their fam fly somewhat"
 T didn't mean thet. Wal, IT go out an do some work around the barn. First off. though, I'd bet ter shave your whiskers. There: likely to be callers, an shore Amy cause she said so.'
 Sol, I don'h want to see any body" replied Rock, hastily.
 Wal, I'm shore sorry, but I'll bt alarmed if you won't have to. Sup pose fer instance, Thiry woulc call"
 You're loco-Sol," choked Rock She couldn't stand sight of me Please-don't-"
 Son, I may be loco at thet," re- piled Winter, with remorse, anc evidently he controlled desires tc argue the point.
 He went out, leaving Rock prey to rediscovered emotions, stronger