The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-03-03

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 didn't it?p
 @Cowboy, I never expected you'd stand up fer me like thet," burst out Preston, genuinely moved. would you mind giyin' me your angle on this deal2p
 "Most as short an sweet as the other. Hesbitt is a new rancller here. He doesn't know cur range There's been some rustlin', as you know. Reckon EIesbitt has been Iosin most of any of you ranchers. He's sore, and his outfits are tryin' to be Wyonin smart. They've picked on you 2
 ] ssWal. by-l It's as clean an sharp as everythin' else about you" returned Preston. perturbed. Ash, did you savvy t1et2'
 "shore, but I afn't awful i'm pressed"
 Reckon this hyar deal wouldn't be particular bad fer me if it was mt fer our butcherin bizzness," i" Preston remarked. as if thought fully to himself. Rock, however, divined that was calculating speech.
 You hit it, Gage. There's the rub, My hunch is you must quit the butcherfn,'" :" said Rock, deliber- ately, his eye on Ash. He antici- pated that individuals reaction.
 T will, by thunderl" replied the rancher, wheeling instinctively to face his son.
 Ash rose out of the cloud of smoke. At that moment, for True man Rock. nothing in the world could have been so desirable as to smash his face. Ash took no mo- tice of his fathers decision. He | Tipped his cigarette butt admost at Rock.
 I'm butcherin' tomorrow Mister Rock" he asserted
 Butcher and be alarmed p retorted Rock, absolutely mirnicking the others tone.
 You're getting too thick out here" said Ash, backing to the door, which he opened. T told you once to clear out. This's the second time. There won't be no third"
 See here. Ash, I'm not tryin' to run yorlr affairs. T was just giVin' my angle. As for clearin' out well, I'll consider that. Reckon l don't want to make any trouble between you and your folks" Ash backed out of the door. his wonderful blue eyes like fire under ice, then he stalked off the porch toward his cabin l Gage, that bull-headed son of yours will be the ruin of you said Rock, turning to the rancher.
 Lord! don't know itl" groaned Preston from under his huge hands. lUp he sprang, to lift clinched fists,
 and broke into an ungoyernable lrange that both astonished and mystified Rock The paroxysn sub sided, and he grew composed, but if there was not actual ha-se in the set glare of his deep blue eyes, then Rock erred in his belief Boss, some way or other you must persuade Ash to give up the butcherin', at least for while. Make him think 50. Anythin to gain time"
 Rock, why don't you persuade him?' queried Preston, significant Fly. Mel" ejaculated Rock, shot through with an impression he hoped was false. He did not be- tray that he had grasped Prestons ldark hint.
 "Thiry an I have kept him layin' off since you left. reckon we'd better try the same again." I '.Yes, try whatever worked. But li don't oppose him, Preston
 Wal, I guess not. I'll let him cool off bit, an tackle him after . supper"
 Rock remained away from the supper table. though the second bell rang. Dusk fell quickly
 Presently Rock saw Preston ac- : lcompanied by Thiry come out of
 his cabin and cross over to enter Ash's. A light flashed from the window.
 T It was quite dark when he slipped
 out. He stole among the trees. and making half-circle came up to the bench under T'hiry's pine, and sat down there to wait, thrilling
 with anticipation of soon seeing her white form emerge from the blackness.
 But an hour passed. She did not Icome. Another went by. The night threatened to be t stormy.
 All the lights except that one 3 lin Ash's cabin were now out. It must have been long after mid : might when Rock heard a dool { close. He waited, straining eyes ant ears. Another door closed, ane that he was sure had come iron t Yr.... s4k,.a.Y d n-Y Il