The Coolidge examiner., 1932-07-29
CHAPTER II-Continued


surged in her. His words were
meant TO affront and challenge her.
Not since she had been in her early
teens had she felt so uncontroll-
able an impulse TO break out In
cracking speech that pelted like
hail. What was there in this hate
full man that stirred so deeply the
wild and lawiess elements of her
being. so long dormant?
Julia's glance swept the land
scape. The last of the three riders
was disappearing into an arroyo.
Obligingly Mccain pointed him out.
In weak voice she called to her
brother.
Her companions smile was mock
ing. 'Lemme get him for you" Be
fore She could stop him there came
from his throat the far carrying
yell Of the cowpuncher. "Yi vi ylppy
yi"'
She had a shaken sense OF stilled
pulses, the premonition OF impend-
ing disaster. But II was too late
TO ride away now. Already the three
riders were showing darkly In sill
houette against the sky line. She
waited with dread beside this enemy
of her family while the men rode
toward them.
who is it" Jasper Stark de-
manded.
Julia called her name TO him. She
heard him say to his companions,
julie an Doc Sanders" He was
riding in the lead and II was not
till he had pulled up his horse that
his startled oath announced recog-
milton of McCann.
Hurriedly Julia explained. Doc
tor Sanders had TO stay all night
with Jim Yerby. He asked Mr.. Nc
Cam to see me home"
'Since when has wills Mccain
been your friend. Jule?" her broth
er demanded harshly.
Hes no friend Of mine. I didn't
know who he was till he told me
just now"
THE Starks know me well enough
10 shoot at me, but not well enough
TO pass the time of day" McCann
added truntingly. "An' that's about
as well as ! want to know most Of
them"
His gaze moved 10 the Texans.
Gitner vas a big rangy fellow with
the appearance and manner of
bully. He looked dangerous, but
not so much so as the man on his
right. There was a deadly quail
ity about the stiffness of Stone.
Only the chill light-blue eyes were
quick with life. McCann knew his
reputation and one long steady ex-
change of looks told him this small
brown Texan would live up to 1t.
You didn't shoot at him from the
mesquite, Jas. did you?" his sister
asked.
Been runnin' to you about 1t, has
he?" snarled Stark. "Well, there's
nothin' to it. shot TO warn him
back, an he's been bellyachin' ever
since"
Il knew 1t was something like
that" the girl replied quickly.
McCann laughed softly and de-
rislvely.
Something amusing your Gitner
wanted to know. heavy lower Jaw
thrust forward aggressively.
The Arizonan met him eye to eye.
ANY law against laughing. Mr.. Git
nerf'
Depends how you laugh an
where"
IF could get Mr.. Gitner to show
me how an where"
Stone interrupted, quietly, each
drawling word spaced evenly. IF
my name was Wills McCann I'd light
out now muy pronto." His eyes were
Sits of shining menace.
Julia, alarmed. moved her horse
step or two so that she was between
the Flying Wy rider and his foes.
YES" she said. and her voice was
not quite steady, I'D go now, Mr..
McCann-please."
That's good advice, reckon" he
agreed. "Or | might not 90 at all.
Your friends seem anxious"
he lifted his sombrero In a sweep
ing bow, swung Jim-Dandy, and
moved away at road gait. The
thing was done raffishly, and flip
PANTY, with obvious intent to irri-
tate.
Julia was relieved when the dark
ness swallowed him and his horse.
Wed better go home now," she
said 10 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 20
about their errand now. since the
information that they were night
riding had become public property.
why, yes. Jas. Might as we'll 90
home. reckon. like Miss Julie tells