The Coolidge examiner., 1932-09-09


the slender figure as though to keep
her from the cruel reach of the law
that was going to snatch her away
and lock her up for years. "Oh.
darling, why didn't you tell me"
II don't care, if you don't hate
me for doing it," fnn replied
brokenly.
SO, with love, they conforted each
other.
1t was characteristic of Jasper
that he did not at once go TO the au-
thorities and charge Ann Clifford
with the murder of Tom McArdle
Instead, he wrote an anonymous let
ter TO Sheriff LIE Page snd accused
her Of il.
He did not want 10 burn his
bridges behind him. X would be
better, he reflected. TO see what the
effect would be of a covert impu-
tatlon. Hank would very likely 90
out TO the sheep ranch and ask
questions. This would frighten moi
only Ethel but Ann. too in spite OF
the high hand she had taken with
him. They might come TO terms
Anyhow, II could do no harm to wai'
a few days and watch develop
ments.
Most of his waiting vas done al
Pedro's place. a bottle in front of
him. But as the days passed he
grew impatient and decided to talk
the matter over with Carl Gitner.
1t might be a good idea to send the
big Texan up to the sheep ranch
just TO show the GiffOrds that he
really had the goods on them.
AT the ranch Jasper pulled up at
the bunk house and swung down.
Inside he found Gitner and Stone
The former was riveting stirrup
leather.
Come to say adios TO yore dear
friend wills McCann?" he jeered.
"WhatjameanT demanded Stark
"Why, amt you heard the good
newsY" Gitner affected polite sur.
prise. "Our dear guests done mend
ed so much he's alowin' to hit the
trail today. The old mans comm
with a wagon TO get him. Pretty
soon, If Mr.. Wilson McCann contln-
ues to improve as the papers say,
he'll be able to bump Off another
Stark or two maybe"
Stone was honing a hunting knife
He had acknowledged the arrival Of
Jasper by a nod. Now he spoke.
evils McCann didn't kill Matt
He said it quietly. without empha.
sis.
limp! He was caught, you might
say, right In the act" This from
Jasper. with evaporation. whats
the sense in sayin' he didn't do itT'
Il went over the ground soon as !
could an read signs. Wills didn't
shoot yore father, any more than |
did"
Phil tells me you gave him an
julie that line OF talk. Dave. Tha's
why she's lettin' this murderer get
away from u.s." he ripped out an
oath of savage anger. I've a good
mind to plug him from the chap
arral my own self"
Il wouldn't do that, Jas. I'd hire
some one. Maybe you could get
Carl" the little Texan murmured
The words seemed TO fall almost
casually, except for the fact that
Stones eyes were full on those OF
the man he addressed. They had a
surprising effect. The red of JAS
per's skin faded to a sickly yellow.
His Jaw dropped.
Gitner was made of sitter stuff.
he turned snarling on Stone. "What
the blue blazes you mean by thatY''
he demanded with a series of crack
ling oaths.
Stones face was hard as jade and
held as much expression. why,
what could | mean, Carl? Only thai
you're better shot than Jas, an
If he wanted any KILN done looks
like it would be reasonable for him
to hire you TO do it,"
Say, what's eatin' you, Dave?'
Gitner's eyes were closely slitted.
He had dropped the stirrup leather
and his hands hung free for action.
"Lemme get you right. What makes
you figure Wills McCann didn't
bushwhack the old MANI"
Several things. Carl. First off,
If Wills did 1t he wouldn't "a been
found lingerin' around. More like
ly he'd "a been hittin' the high
spots for a getaway. | cut sign on
the ground an l know Matt was
shot by some one lying in the ir-
rigation ditch. The fellow got
scared afterward an turned water
into the ditch to wipe out his
tracks We know Wills didn't do
that. Pm not satisfied that the
same guy didn't shoot both yore fa-
ther an McCann."
Sounds reasonable" sneered Git
ner. go ahead. Tell US who
he is"