White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-07-21


Miu Julia. Her brother, Mr.. Phil
! Stark-Lyn Mccain"
Thus Tapscott, as self-elected master
of ceremonies, by way Of breaking the
| ice Of cold silence.
None Of those named acknowledged
the introduction in words or by an in
clination of the head. They looked at
each other with chill and bitter hatred.
But, as the elder Mccain looked at
Julia, there came change in his face.
Beneath the shaggy brows she caught
| glimpse for an instant Of his soul.
II was there, during the beat Of a
| pulse, and was gone, look that had
amazingly softened the grim coun-
tenance Later she was to puzzle over
| it and wonder at 1t.
"Wel?" demanded Peter harshly.
doc Sanders is lookin' after the
| boy" Tapscott said.
"How is Wils?"
"Pretty bad, Doc says. Shot through
| the lung and in the side"
Not muscle Of the old cattleman's
face twitched. "Can he be moved?"
|
boy, Pete"
''I'll go to him-right now
Instantly Phil bristled He would
show Mccain whether he could ride
roughshod in this high-handed way to
his end "I'll have something to say
about that. You'll go unarmed If
| you CO."
There was moment of significant
silence while the eyes Of the old and
the young man clashed.
Lets get this right" Mccain said.
IF go, do I 60 as prisoner? Or
am free to leave when want to-"
Phils boyish voice lifted to high
note that was almost a wall. my
fathers lying dead down there, killed
by the son you're going to see. Some
day We'll wipe yore whole id outfit
off the map. But not today. If you
60 in now you can walk out when
you've mind to-"
"How do we know you'll play fair?
How do we know some of yore killers
won't shoot Dad?" Lyn asked.
"You don't" There was flare Of
insolence in young Stark's scornful
eyes. "Were not askin' him to come.
It's his own say-so. If he's scared
why he can stay away"
For the first time Julia spoke, eyes
flashing, lips tremulous. "We're not
murderers, like you"
"Now folks" interposed Tapscott
hurriedly. "This Is mighty bad bust
ness all round. One things sure. We
can't make it any better by that kind Of
talk. I'm dawggoned sorry myself,
Miss Julia, but I'll bet my boots they
amt the way you think they are. I
know Wills Mccain. You don't. That's
the difference. Now 1 reckon we got
this all fixed up. You ride along with
these young people, Pete, an We'll
stick around till we hear from you.
So-long."
They rode down from the pass in
silence, the hearts Of all three bitter
with anger. But as they came into the
valley the Starks fell back till Mccain
was almost abreast Of them. They
drew their ponies close to his, so that
it would be difficult for anybody to
take a shot at him without danger
Of hitting one Of them.
Peter understood the maneuver and
smiled sardonically. There was some
thing amusing in this solicitude to pro-
tect him. In day or two this boy
and his allies would be laying plans
to shoot him at sight.
In close formation they moved to the
porch and dismounted. Together they
went into the house.
Julia led the way to the room where
Wilson Mccain lay. After stepping
aside to let his father enter she left
woman was taking care Of the sick
! man under instructions from Doctor
Sanders.
Mccain moved forward and looked
down at the restless figure on the bed.
The young mans face was flushed.
He was in high fever and the glazed
eyes showed no recognition OF his
father.
rs he-so awful bad, Doc?" Peter
asked, when he was sure of his voice.
Mighty sick, McCann," the doctor
answered gently. IF he wasn't an
Arizona product, tough as cactus rind
and clean-blooded as young antelope,
I'd say he hadn't chance in the world
But he's liable to fool me yet"
Don't you let him die, Doc" the
father begged.
mot If I can help it. If he lives you
can thank Miss Julia. She looked
after him fine till got here"
Mccain made no comment on that
you'll stay right here with himT
. "Till morning anyhow. Wen see
how he Is then"
J "How about sending for doctor
from Los Angeles or Ell Paso? It's moi
, that don't trust you, but If he'd have
; q better chance why"
"All right. Wire for Doctor Elder
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