White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-08-18
CHAPTER x
Ann Tells Her Story

On the outskirts Of the group that
Jasper Stark was haranguing a Mexl-
can appeared. He waited to edge in
his message.
"Senorita Stark ees at the back door
and weeshes to spik with you, senor."
Jasper frowned angrily. He under
stood what this meant. Julia had
come to protest against the outbreak
he was instigating. He strobe out of
the saloon into the starlit night all
primed for a burst of indignation at
her unwomanly conduct in coming to
town on such an errand. 1t died away
on his lips. Julia was not there. A
man moved forward to meet him out
of the darkness.
Jasper started. The heart died in
him under his ribs. The first swift i'm
pulse in him was to turn and run back
into the saloon. But the man had
stepped to the door and was barring
the way.
''You lemme go, Wills McCann," he
ordered. II got no business with YOU
Voice and eyes both betrayed him.
The one shook with fear, the others
mirrored it. For it was in his thought
that his enemy had lured him out to
shoot him down.
"But 1 got business with you. Don't
be so scared. I'll not hurt you if you
go with me quietly"
Mccain had not drawn a gun. The
only weapon in sight was the steady
compulsion of two steel-blue eyes.
"Go-go where?"
ITO the Jail. I've got something to
say to YOU"
"Say it right here then" Jasper
began to breathe easier. He was still
very uneasy, but the panic that had
taken him by the throat was subsiding.
If Mccain did not mean to destroy
him, if no physical violence was IN
tended, he could probably talk him
self out Of trouble
"Not here. We might be inter-
rupted."
II amt going to step with you
Suspicious were flying like blind bats
through Jasper's brain. Perhaps Nc
Cam meant to draw him to lonely
spot and murder him.
"You got no right to take me. You
can't do it. You're not the sheriff
and you've got no warrant for my ar
rest," Jasper quavered.
Il know I can't, but I'm going to-"
Somehow a revolver had jumped into
sight and was lying in McCann's hand,
pointed groundward. "You walk on
my right side, close to me, SOS my arm
will be under yore coat. If you try to
! run or call to anyone, why reckon
that'n be suicide. Walk beside me
easy an steady an there won't be any
trouble. Tha's right. I don't reckon
the gun barrel will prod yore ribs to
hurt
They walked down the alley and
crossed the street to the alley of the
dry creek.
"Go right ahead" Mccain directed.
Stark drew back at the edge of the
descent into the arroyo. His throat
went dry. His stomach sank within
| him. Was he to oe drygulched down
| in the cottonwoods at this lonely spot:
| 1t was the very sort of thing he would
| have contrived himself for an enemy
Before he could speak he had to
moisten his lips. "You-you're amin
| to murder me-" he managed to get out
! in hoarse whisper.
II told you l wouldn't hurt you Il
YOU We're reasonable. I'm takin' you
to Jail, by the back way. Step lively
| I've no time to waste"
! The man in front Of the gun shuffle6
down through the loose rubble to the
creek bed. He had no choice. HI
moved up the creek bed in the dark
| ness through the cottonwood grove
| and as he stumbled forward he plead
ed abjectly with the man whom he haG
more than once tried to kill.
(To BE CoNTINUED)