White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-06-30

away at road gait. The thing was
done raffishly and flippantly, with OBJ
vious intent to irritate.
Julia was relieved when the dark
ness swallowed him and his horse.
"We'd better go home now," she said
to her brother.
Jasper was annoyed and showed It.
He looked at his companions, doubtful
what to do.
With dry ironic smile Stone set
tied the matter. They could not go
about their errand now, since the In
formation that they were night riding
had become public property.
"Why yes, Jas. Might as we'll go
home reckon, like Miss Julie tells
u.s." the little Texan said with gentle
sarcasm. 1--WE taken all the ride to-
night we need for our health"
On his way back to the Yerby place
from the Flying Wy next morning
Wilson Mccain passed a sheep ranch
on the mesa. The place belonged to
the Clifford sisters. They had inherit
ed it few years before from stiff
necked uncle who had brought sheep
in regardless of opposition from the
cattle interests. 1t had been an ILL
starred venture, followed by quarrels.
warnings, raids and bloodshed. Old
Andy Clifford died while the trouble
was at it's height and the hostility had
been passed on to his nieces. But 1t
took the form of sullen aloofness
rather than active warfare. The
neighborhood did not like sheep, was
disturbed at the presence Of these
"hoofed locusts" eating up the range,
yet could not bring itself to the point
of driving out three defenseless women.
When their uncle died Ann Clifford
teen, and Ethel sixteen. Far from
friends, on the edge of the desert, the
life Of the girls was lonely one. The
ranchmen of the district looked upon
them with ill-concealed resentment.
Their wives and daughters paid no
friendly visits.
But in mans country these three
attractive girls were magnet not to
be resisted. few cowpunchers met
them and broke down the barrier. Ru-
mors began to fly, as they must when
presentable young women are visited
only by men. At last the wagging
tongue of gossip found something tan
gible to whisper. Ann and Nora Gift
ford had taken the train for Los An
geles, while the youngest of the three
was attending school at Tucson. Some
months later the older sister returned
alone, hard-eyed, close-mouthed. No
letters from Nora ever came to the
ranch, it was observed at the post
office. Where was she? What had
become of her?
During AIMS absence a band Of
sheep had been harried and driven over
a cliff by night riders. AIMS lips
shut tighter, the lines about them grew
harder. Since her return she and
Ethel lived alone.
Mccain lifted his hat. "Howdy,
Miss Clifford. What's the good word?"
he asked.
Ann Clifford was thin, brown, dry as
a chip. Her eyes b1azed burning Bit
terness. Resentment at ife's injustice
married her dark good looks.
"What can I do for your" she said
bluntIy.
For me? Nothing, ma'am," he re-
Piled, disconnected. u reckoned there
might be somethin' could do for you.
When there's no men folks on place
a husky willing lad comes in handy
sometimes. IF you need me"
1--WE don't"
"Now or any time, why"
mot now or any time" she snapped
Mccain was embarrassed but per-
sistent. He had met the Clifford girls
only two or three times, and then
casually. But he had thought good
deal about the hard lines into which
their lives had fallen.
"T'd be pleased to help any way
could"
well not trouble you, thanks" Her
refusal of his offer had the crack Of
q whiplash.
This was definite enough. Mccain
searched for some meaningless phrase
to- soften what she had said.
"Well, it's an open offer, ma'am. Ell
be movin' on now. Jim Yerby's done
broke. his leg an Pm kinda loekin'
after him"
(To BE CoNT1NUED.>