Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-01-28

broken business relations with Pres
ton. Preston had the small end OF
a cattle Zeal with me. I bought him
out. And then l Cancelled all beef
orders"
How did Preston take that?" In
CURED Rock, after a moment.
kicked about the deal. But | took
ing me more beef. Ny reason was
TO him."
Mind telin' me9' asked Rock,
%leisnrely rolling a cigarette.
Yes, I'd mind. II would necessi-
tate violating some ones confidence"
BY the way. Dabb. are you stlll
clation?"
mo, I resigned. Hesbltt was ell
ected."
Gee. Sorry to hear 1t.
Rock. significantly. Good day, Dabb.
Reckon I'll meet up with you at the
rodeo and the dance"
In the afternoon, rather late. Rock
walked around to see Winter. He
was received almost with open arms.
The Prestons got in early. True,
Thirty has been in half a dozen times, "
timei".
SOL, you lynn old geezer!'
she care an went, Sol vent on,
It'll the last time. a little while age,
when she was with Amy. Then you
bel. she didn't ask about you. Hel He!
HE! I'll bet you a million Amy
got In some good lieks.'
SOL, you can laugh about that"
CALCULATED Rock, with a groan.
Rock rushed out to the door, where
thru the window he had espied Thirty
Preston The action brought him
right in front of Thirty.
why, hello!" he said. forcing a
pleasant surprise to hide his rapture,
as he DOTTED his sombrero.
She greeted him shyly. with alb
sence of inhibited expression which
marked her meetings with him at
Sunset Pass.
I'VE started at daybreak yester-
day morning" she said.
ooh, Ash stayed home,'
She spoke this as If 1t was an af-
~terthought. scarcely important.
That SOL" replied Rock, with on
s%tralnt. tho he tingled. well. It's
too bad. If you're disappointed"
I'm so greatly relieved III don't
know myself" she replied, with UNI
a Fourth that Ash hasn't spoiled by
getting drunk"
May walk with you a step?"
asked Rock. changing the subject.
You may
You're going to the Dance" she
said. 1t was not a question.
Reckon I'll drop i'm for a peep"
he replied, his heart giving symptoms
Of pyrotechnics.
Are you going to mask?"
Sure. 1t wouldn't be fun other
Would you tell me what you'll
wear she sskedaasweetly, too sweet
~ not TO be dangerous.
"That'd spoil the fun. | sure want
to fool you," he protested.
Have you not already fooled me?"
she went on. with bitterness tinged
with pathos.
II have mott" he shot at her, swift
to speak his sudden passion. 1t start
led her.
"Trueman Rock, you have a great
deal to %disprove and more to prove"
she said, wide strange eyes on his.
Mr.. Rock" she went on, this
dance was to be the first gay happy
time for me-since | grew up. Dad
somehow prevented Ash from COM
ing to town. He filled me with-with
beliefs about how you would make 1t
wonderful for me, T. dreamed my
self into. no matter what.
Then / come to town to have my
ears filled to b~urning-all day long.
The dance was to be given for you!
0 wouldn't even dance with any
other woman but her! You were an
old lover renewing his vows! You"
'T,hiry, hushl" interposed True
man, in rage. despair, and exaltation.
all bewilderingly mingled.
~ trusted you and that woman has
killed t."
"oh. no, Thirty. don't say that"
But there's a secret understand
ing between 0 and her-for this
dance"
Yes, there is. But it's not senti-
ment On my part" he replied. II
meant to befriend Amy Dabb. She
needs 1t, Heaven knows. But IL you
let her jealous tongue spoil anythin'
for you, I'm thru"
'"Trueman, | could forgive a great
deal, | think, but no bold lie," she
murmured, her grave eyes piercing
him.
Il would not lie to you, to save
my life" he returned, In weary cold
finality.
The arrival Of Alice Preston.
breathless and pink and merry, check
ed Rocks impassioned reply. The girls
laughing and talking, started for
home, and Rock accompanied them
toward the corner.
Just before they arrived there, a
man n a woman hove in sight. Evil
IDENTIFY she was trying to hurry away
from him
II tell you no-nol" she cried, In
a rage. Then Rock recognized the
| voice and the blazing black eyes. Amy
Dabbl The man was a tall rider. He
wore a red scarf. and his face was
almost as red.
see heah, sweetheart, you CANT
come tibet with me-" he drawled.
Rock with a stride and a leap was
upon them.
Rustic, Amy, with the girls" said
Rock sharply, as he gave the rider
a hard thrust back and then con
fronted him.
"Howdy, Mister Red Scarf"