White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-07-28


Wilson Mccain and his father were
still at the Stark ranch. Slowly, inch
by inch, the young man was beating
back the tide that had almost engulfed
him. His strength began to renew
itself. He was so nearly out of danger
came imminent. Neither, Phil nor Julia
ever entered the sick room or ex-
changed word with the McCanns
On an afternoon Julia made a sug-
gestion to Phil that flushed his boyish
face with pleasure.
Lets go see the Clifford girls. We
ought to show we feel friendly. Don't
you think so? You used to know them,
didn't you?"
Eyes, before-before Nora went
away. l knew 'em right we'll. But
now nobody's welcome there.'
"And Jasper knew them, too, I've
heard"
"Yep. Quite few of the boys went
there. Tom McArdle did-an' Gitner
an I've seen Dave Stone there.
They don't any of 'em go any more
Ann won't have 'em. Makes it mighty
lonesome for Ethel. She's a mighty
nice gal, julie. If you could make
friends with her an Ann"
He left his sentence unfinished, but
it was expressive enough as it stood
''I'll try" she promised.
They rode up out of the valley
toward lineup pass. From the dis
lance came faint voices The foreman
of the Circle Cross was making
gather Of beeves for the trail. The
plaintive bleating of calf just reached
them. Through the pass they moved
down to the desert. The girl thought
Of almost the last time she had crossed
1t, in the moonlight, beside her the
strong sun-browned man who had be-
come anathema to her family. She
had talked with Dave Stone. In her
heart she knew that Wilson Mccain
had not killed her father. He had
given her his word that he would not
wage any but fair fight. In spite of
her resentment against him she be-
ueved he would keep his word.
The horses climbed the mesa where
the sheep ranch had it's headquarters.
A shy-eyed girl came to the door to
meet them. At sight of Phil her
cheeks flew flag of color.
The boy swung from the saddle.
"Miss Ethel, meet my sister. She'll be
right glad to know you"
US+l,o1 H;ffo,d,e, l>l,,o o,,o, e1,~,o, It'll
tears when Julia came forward and
impulsively kissed her. She was
starved for affection. There was none
of it in her life except that which came
from Ann, who jealousy protected her
from any chance of it on the part of
others.
my dear, we're going to be friends"
Julia said.
The other girls lip trembled. won't
you-come in?" she invited obviously.
Ann was away from home, but the
thought Of her obtruded. She would
not like her asking the Starks into
the house.
The visitors followed her into the
low-ceilinged room. 1t was a homelike
place, Julia saw In the first swift
glance. In the deep windows of the
adobe walls were ported flowers, gera-
NUNS, begonias, and fuchsias. They
were curtained with clean muslin. A
piano filled one corner. On the mantel
were photographs and framed print
of Del Sarto madonna.
There was a moment of silence be-
fore Ethel explained that her sister
was out at one Of the camps. "But I
expect her back any time" she added.
II think she must be pretty good
manager" Julia said. II hear you are
doing so well. I am glad"
IF we could only sell out and 20
away" Ethel wistfully replied. "Per-
haps we can when folks find out we're
making money here"
You don't like the desert?" the
older girl asked.
II hate it. It's horrible.
1t takes us and brushes
our lives" She flung out her hands
in a gesture of passionate despair.
Folks that are good and kind-they
change-and awful things happen"
YES" said Julia, struck by sud-
den depression Of sadness.
Ethels sweet mouth quivered "Oh,
I'm sorry. / forgot-about you. l
was thinking of myself. 1t gets so
terrible sometimes-when I let myself
think"
She broke off. In her eyes was an
expression of fear, Of some haunting
dread too great for endurance.
Pills heart was very tender to this
charming creature, so soft and de-
fenseless. 1t ached for her now. The
generous youth in him was eager to de-
fend her.
But defend her against what? Not
grief alone for her sister Morals death
had brought that stricken look into her
face There was something else
something sinister and evil that she
felt like shadow of disaster lowering