Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-02-04

thet'n be sympathizln' with Preston.
Ten years ago there was n case
somethin' like this. Wal. his friends
got him to make good what he'd stole
an saved him from jail, IL no worse.
preston's case amt so bad, thet Is,
yet. II you've got the nerve an
the wit YOU car keep Preston from
ruin an Thirty from a broken heart -
Rock leaped up. inspired, sudden
~ on fire with the vision OF Winters
sagacity had conjured up. He pushed
aside table and chair and Rugged
his startled friend.
"Old-tlmer. I've sure got the nerve
and you've supplied the wit"
Rock presented himself at Dabb's
office the next morning.
Hello, Rock replied Dabb In
answer to his greeting. Have a chair
and a cigar. I've been hopin' you'd
run into town"
Dabb appeared cordial.
"How's Amy" dueried Rock.
SHE was fit as a filly when I saw
her last. She went to Denver to visit.
Expect her home next week"
John. / told YOU | was In love
with Thirty. Well, that wasn't so bad.
But now she's In love with me. And
the situation is hell"
Man, you've only yourself Ia
blame. You Were advised not TO go.
| myself told you not to stay"
Il loved the girl" replied Rock.
simply.
"Humph.' said Dabb, chewing at
his cigar. Rock. some of us cattle
men know you haven't looked for
anythin' shady about Preston"
How do you know asked Rock.
We'll, that uestion came up the
other night at our Association meet
ing. Hesbitt CAV you a hard rub.
over this Preston scandal. Tom Lin
coin an | an one or two others took
exception to Hesbitt. We claimed you
not only weren't in with Preston on
anythin' crooked. but YOU hadn't
trailed around lookin' for II. The rea-
son, of course. was you were sweet
on Thirty Preston"
John. that was most damned good
Of you" returned Rock, warmly.
You an Lincoln figured that If I
had looked for shady work I'd have
Sure. We knew that. No outfit
could fool you"
We'll, what Them"
Not so easy. But personally I be-
teve you'd have come to me for adj
vice an help"
Il don't know that I'd have pre-
sumed so far" went on Rock.
What's worrying YOU now, Rock?"
'hSSbAtt , OuNAlAN dit ditcT fTtS-
ton. replied Rock. and he gave Dabb
a detailed account Of DUNES man.
euver at the Notch camp and what
had come of II.
You dared that foreman Dunno TO
throw his gum" exclaimed Dabb,
gravely.
Il sure did"
Rock, that was a bold move an
a wise one. I'm darn glad you told
me this. Reckon IL didn't seem i'm
portant to you-that I knew-for
you'd have told it quick. But 1t is
important"
How so?" asked Rock, curiously.
We'll, In the first place 1t vindi-
Gates Lincoln an me in our stand
for YOU. An 1t will stump Hesbitt."
"Ahuhl Then this new rancher is
dead set against Preston?"
Is he? Well, | guess. An he has
his outfits r'arin'. Now, Rock. the
strange thing is Hesbitt has been
losin a good deal of stock most Half
Moon brand-an' his men can't To-
cate them Hide nor hair! But
other men havel"
"Dabb, what're you tellin' me?'
shouted Rock, fiercely.
Rock, now listen. You once rode
Tor Jem Slagle. Preston ruined Slagle.
An Slagle has hung around out there
to get even. Reckon he's in a fair
way 10 do 1t. For he has tracked the
Prestons down"
"Aw, this's awful" groaned Rock.
"Jem Si2gle. An he has tracked
Preston down? What to, John?r