The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-08-05
CHAPTER w
Red Tragedy


Wilson drew up among the scrub
pines on the side of the hogback across
from Yerby's cabin. These days he
followed roundabout trails and moved
with extreme caution. For his life had
been posted by a man who never made
vain threats. II was the sight of a
white-faced bay standing in front of
the house that brought him up short
now.
With the trained eye of a cow
puncher he recognized the horse in
Stantly. He had last seen ii on
certain mOon,it night and Julia Stark
had been in the saddle. But he had
no certainty that she was using ii to-
day. Some one else might be waiting
for him in Jim's cabin-say Jasper
Stark or his father or that Texas
killer. Gitner. He decided to play
safe.
From its place beside the saddle he
drew rifle and tested its mechanism.
This done, he crept on all tours through
the greasewOod and the yucca till he
had put a long hundred yards between
him and Jim-Dandy. Behind a cIump
of chOlla he squatted and watched the
house patiently. For nearly half an
hour he did not stir. Except his eyes
he was motionless as a statue.
Julia Stark might not be alone with
VERIFY, though the fact that he could
see only one saddled horse pointed to
that conclusion. With the greatest
care, he worked toward the house from
the rear.
When at last he reached the window
Wilson raised his head slowly and
looked inside. Julia had seated her
self and was evidently just about to
read aloud from a book. Jim was sit
ting in a chair with his leg propped
up in another chair in front of him.
Wilson went back to his horse, rode
across the arroyo, and shouted, Hello
the housed"
Miss Stark came to the door. She
stood, erect and uncompromisingly
hostile, watching him as he dismount-
ed. Her dark look was like a flashing
sword
He nodded good morning without re-
Spouse.
"How's Jim?" he asked.
She stood aside to let him pass into
the house, gathering her skirts close so
that he would not brush against her as
he went by. Nothing could have ex-
pressed more positively her detestation
of him than that disdainful gesture.
With jingling spur he moved across
the room. How are you, Dad?"
Fat like a match. Whad you know
that's new?"
Not much. Gather of beeves on
Poison creek next month. Some more
rustling up in the hills. they say"
Mccain chatted easily, casually,
with the hester, ignoring the burning
resentment that held the girl passion
ately silent. His manner was coolly
Indifferent, but not for moment was
he off guard.
Watching him covertly, Julia saw
sudden change in the lounging figure
The back Strengthened and the muscles
grew taut. Every sense had quickened
to life. For some one was coming up
the path toward the house.
Julia moved quickly to the door, then
drew breath of relief. She had dread
ed and half expected to see her IA
Their. But the approaching figure was
that of a young woman.
The new arrival was Ann Clifford
She had brought with her a cake.
Since Yerby's accident she had been
in the habit of coming every day to
supply the simple needs. Even her
fierce aloofness had not been proof
against the little mans good will. No
body who knew him could continue to
dislike Jim VERIFY.
Meet Miss Julia Stark, Miss Gift
ford" their host said. and after pro-
nouncing the formula added: Miss
Julia she's jest back from Los Angeles.
where she's learned most everything
they is TO know outa them schoolbooks.
/ reckon"
Julia laughed at this testimonial as
she stepped forward to shake hands.
She had wanted to meet the Clifford
girls ever since her return. Ann was
still holding the cake and she did NOT
put il down. Colby she bowed.
u called the other day, Miss Gift
ford. but you weren't at home" Julia
said. May come again-some day
soon?"
Were often out with the Sheep"
Ann replied.
1t was rebuff, but Julia refused to
accept it. You can't be out all the
time. I'll try my luck again." she
said.
VERIFY tried to cover AIMS dis
courtesy by a flux of words. Miss
Julia she was jest startin' to read to
me from this here David Dickens
book"
David Copperield," Julia corrected.
"Sure enough. Dickens he's the fell
low that owns the brand Well l was
sayin' that this Steerforth duck, the
one that done Ill Emily dirt, why
some one had orta hung his hide out 10
dry. seems like. l don't hold with dry
gulching. you understand. but there's
times"
The hester stopped abruptly, the
springs of his garrulity dried up. A
glance at Ann Gifford's frozen face
had done it. He recalled the rumors