The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-07-29

Lyn sat on his heels and from his
hip pocket drew the markings" There
was nothing TO show he was not at
perfect ease with the world-except
the long rifle he had just propped
against the wall. He was a cookbook
ing lad, just turned twenty, slender
and graceful as one of Praxiteles'
models.
The talk drifted Then from out of
the store came Peter Mccain with a
square of wrapping paper, hammer,
and some tacks. To the wall he nailed
the coarse paper. Those on the porch
watched him silently and read the no
tice roughly printed there.
$1,000
REWARD
For information identifying
All or any of the Night Riders who
Shot Joe Walters at the Cass Cabin
Will be paid by
PETER MCCAIN
This called for comment. After
long moment of waiting Quinn spoke.
How is Joe?"
Hell make it, Doc says"
'Good. He's one tough customer,
Joe is. | kinda figured he'd fool 'em.
Nell was allowin' to ride over today
on see if they was anything she
could do"
Not a thing, Curt. But tell her
much obliged"
That was all. McCann's spurs jim
gled down the steps. His sons and his
foreman followed. They swung into
their saddles and rode away.
"Short an sudden" commented
Simp. 1.-The old man don't crate much,
but his actions talk mighty loud.
notice he amt offerin' no reward for
the arrest an conviction of them night
riders. Not none. He aims to do all
the arrestin' that's needed an he don't
reckon any convictin' will be required"
Quinn nodded. He was of the same
opinion. Mccain would go his own
way, regardless of the law. If anyone
protested he could point out how he
had first appealed to it for protection.
But there would be a grim ironic
light in his eyes when he mentioned
the fact.
The McCanns had not been out of
Mesa ten minutes when another group
of horsemen were seen approaching by
the Lineup Pass road in a cloud of
dust They drew up in front of the
Gilt Edge saloon.
Jasper Stark straddled into the
gambling house, his brother Phil and
Carl Gitner at his heels. Stone stood
on the porch and looked round leisure
ly in his cool measured way before he
passed through the door into the Gilt
Edge Killer he might be, but he was
an individual first. He did not follow
at any mans beck.
"Come an wash the dust outa yore
throat, Dave" invited Jasper, in no
subdued voice. Its on me today. Bet
yore boots"
Stones cold blue eyes looked at Jas
per with no warmth in them. AS a
boy the Texan had ridden with Mosby
in his border raids. There were ru-
mors that at one time he had been
one of Quanrells guerillas. The habit
of his life was to consort with danger.
1t seemed to him child's play and
worse, an indication of arrant weak
ness, to wear such a manner of ex-
uberant triumph as Jasper Stark dis
played. What had they done but drive
two frightened cowpunchers into the
chaparral, wound one, and fire an
empty cabin? If the faction with
which he was allied called this a vic
tory there would surely be trouble
ahead. The McCanns were fighters.
81 wouldn't choose to drink" he
said.
Different here" retorted Jasper.
"Set 'em up, Hans. The lids off to-
day."
The older Of the Stark brothers was
large and muscular, but he carried
himself slouchily. His physical strength
was not convincing because it had back
of it no mental or moral force. The
younger man was of different type.
Phil was only eighteen, but he had
been brought mp in the school Of the
frontier which has no vacations. Stone
judged that he would go through when
the call came.
The Gilt Edge was the usual resort
of the Stark faction as the Legal Ten
der was of the other side Hans now
gave information to Jasper as he set
out glasses and bottles.
1.-The McCanns wass in town today
already yet"
Jasper stopped, glass poised.
How many of 'em?"
-Four. Old Peter, Tapscott, andt
two of the boys"
"Hmpl What they doin' here?"
Hans shrugged his shoulders and
lifted the palms of his hands. He had
told all he knew.
SCOT out, Ell? Musta known we were
headin' this way" Jasper boasted.
Stone laughed, softly. ironically.
where do you get that line of talk.
Jas? Ever hear of old Pete Nc
Cam givin' the middle of the road to
anybody? He's there both ways from
the ace, if you ask me-"
Wen show him how much he's
there before we're through"
"Yes?" drawled the Texan, lazily
and insolently.
"I'll tell him so, right off the reel,
him or any of his outfit soon as |
meet up with EN-" the young man
Dragged.
He was irritated at Stone Was the
gunman on the Stark side OF the feud ?
He was taking old Mats money. Well
then, why did he talk like that?