White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-07-28

II DON'T"
She stopped. Her mind refused r.
| let her utter the word love even ir
denial to him. 1t seemed a Dissertation
I'm mighty fond Of you, honey
more'n of any girl 1 ever did see" HI
moved close and put his arms around
her.
She shivered but offered no resist.
ance. He was stronger than she. The
weapon he held was one she could NOT
parry. If he insisted On using it she
must surrender, though the very
thought struck all the warm Joyous
life out Of her body. His ravenous
kisses fell on cold lips and cheeks, on
a soft throat line from which the pulse
seemed to have died.
With q curse he released her. Ethel
turned. Her sister was swiftly breast
ing the hill toward them. She must
have seen.
With an awkward swagger the man
strobe forward a step or two. PLEASED
to meet up with you," he laughed.
1--WE hadn't aimed to make any an
nouncement yet, but since you drapped
in why we gotta admit the corn"
The older sister looked at Ethel, stand
ing there white and stricken. She did
not understand, but she knew instinc-
lively that the girl hated this bully
and was afraid of him. Her fierce
eyes went back to Stark and stabbed
at him.
Get off our land" she ordered in a
low tense voice. eff ever see you on
it again I'll kill you"
Like you did Tom McArdle," he
suggested significantly.
The blood ebbed from her face, but
the hard and shining eyes did not fall
ter. "Who says l killed him?" she
asked, almost in a whisper.
"NNhy, I'm sayin' it right now, an
know another fellow who could say
it, he told her exultantly.
you're prince of liars," she told
him.
Thought you'd get away with it,
didn't you? Thought nobody knew
how you'd dry-gulched Tom at the cut
bank? Pretty slick work, eh?"
He straddled, bow-legged in his.
leather chaps, feering at her ex-
ultantly. The slim brown-faced woman
looked like child beside him, but she
faced him without quailing. She might
have stood for a portrait Of quiet de-
fensive resolution.
I'm asking you what you mean"
plain enough, amt it? You shot
Tom from the brush an can prove it."
The older sister turned to the
younger. How long has he been meet
ing you?"
HE came the week after-after he
was killed. Ethel spoke In low
voice of distress. The pronoun Of In
definite antecedent was quite clear to
all present as to who was meant
"And he has been here sincew
"Four-five times"
Threatening your
Ethel nodded.
"That he would tell-what he claims
to know about me? Is that iti"
Eyes"
IF YOU wouldn't marry htmf ! sup
pose he does you the honor to offer
marriage. Or does he?" Ann spoke
in low clear note of concentrated
bitterness.
EYES,"
I'm on the square with her." Stark
said virtuously. "That's the kind of
a act a
understand
But If she doesn't marry you I'm to
go to the penitentiary. Is that ft?''
"She'll marry me. I amt worried
about that"
"Or you'll send me to prison." the
other sister persisted.
"Have it yore own way" he laughed
brutally.
The pupils of her eyes dfrated as
they blazed scorn at him. you yellow
coyote If there's anything that walks
as low as you"
His teeth showed in a snarl. "Tha's
no way to talk to nae, you crazy hell
cat. I got you where the WOODS short
got you right. Get on the hook with
me, am I1l sure enough put you
through
'4Do whatever you've mind to do.
BUT get off our ranch and stay off. II
l ever see you on 1t again I'll pump
lead into yOu-as ! would into dia-
mond-back." Voice and manner were
full Of disgust and bitterness. She
felt degraded at having to wrangle
with him. 1t seemed to put her on his
level.
"Ill get off when I'm good an ready
to go. But get 1t straight, girl. It's a
showdown. I'm tellin' you. Me, Jas
Stark" He staggered into the shade
of live oak and rolled a cigarette for
effect. I'm tellin' you that either
Ethel an me take trip to the sky
pilot or you take one to the pen. I'm
derstand?"
II told you to CO." Ann warned.
"Don't run on me-" he advised saw
o0o1v UI',n donuoronS GIRL nop,f