Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-01-05
aWas that his chuck wagon In tn

"Well, Ii used to be your Uncle
Toms, so | presume It's yours now.
Dingle got here first. ran his chuck
outfit into the old branding corral to
camp for the night and turned his
mules loose there. Then he occupied
the rocks beyond this Swater-hole and
waited to see what might turn up be-
fore dark. | turned np-uneApectedly
rode wide around the herders. ap-
preached the corral from the rear and
had opened the gate and entered be-
fore either side discovered | was
trapped. They couldn't see me clearly,
but through the chinks in the corral
boarding they could see something
moving against the light. AT that they
couldn't be sure that something was
me. my horse. or their mules. and they
didn't want to hit the mules. SO they
were careful
ut was close work and after I'd
moved around lot and had located
all the knot-holes and wide chinks In
heads down. Then when the firing
started out on the fiat. and they saw
Kenis men, led BY you, making a pis.
toll charge on the men with the sheep,
Dlngle got cold feet. You rode through
quite barrage, sweetheart. but once
you'd topped the corral they figured |
had reinforcements. so they ran for
their horses and rode south. That is,
some OF them did. climbed upon the
wagon seat and famed their rear; as
they fled down the south side OF the
valley they bumped into Ken and
Julio, who emptied two saddles each.
Do you know, darling, that you have
d pistol bullet through the muscles OF
your back, rather well on the right
side2 Nothing fatal. but you'll sleep
on your left side for month u
arm q little fool" Roberta MUIR
INJURED weakly.
Yes, but gallant little fool You
have some Of your late Uncle Toms
ferocity and courage In. you. Bobby.
Oh yes. old Tom always preferred odds
and good shelter tn combat. but he
would stand up to 1t when he had to.
He couldn't be bluffed off this range
and he forced me to make good
are you hurt, Jimmy?"
Not scratch
She raised her left arm and curled
1t around his neck, he lowered hts
face until his cheek touched hers.
You're such d terrible man." she whis-
pered. "Oh, such terrible man.
"But you love me, just the same7"
Eyes, but / wouldn't. have told you
I'D have died first. It's all due to
Ken Hobart. He told me-
Flush, sweetheart He's confessed.
He told you few of the most wonder
full lies on record, and when he found
you'd been hit he cried like baby.
Swore that Ii You died he'd commit
suicide-provided | didn't kill him
frst!' He lifted her to sitting posi-
ton. There's old Cupid Hobart sit
ting over yonder. Look at him. He's
still blubbering"
"Ken!' Roberta called weakly.
The ex-ranger got up and Hmped
painfully over to her, knelt and took
her hand. you're grand lIar.n she
murmured, land grand fighter, and
grand frlend-and now I'm going to
decorate you, Ken Hobart-on the field
of battle"
kiss her, fool" Don Jaime reared.
"And you can kiss her again the day
we're married. That's the privilege
Of the best man, but after that. believe
you me, partner, she's not going to
give away any more samples to hard
boiler old waddles IKE you"
"Oh. my God, forgive me-" Ken
sobbed chlldishly, and brushed her
pale cheek with his tobacco-stalned
lips.
ION the lips. man, Don Jaime COM
manded. you don't know good kiss
Ing when It's offered to you"
II been chewln' tobacco the victim
protested.
II don't care" Roberta assured him.
Jimmy chews 1t. too"
So the embarrassed wretch obeyed
orders, and Roberta tainted again.
don Jaime, this time It's your fault"
Hobart almost moaned.
Fan her and mop her face with this
wet bandanna," Don Jaime command
ed. He went to the corral aud
searched In the chuck wagon for the
tin box containing the small field first
aid kit he suspected might be there.
1t was, SO he returned to the girl. cut
her clothing away from the wound and
applied first aid In a slngularly work
manllke manner Thereafter he at.
tended to his wounded men and when
that task was done he caMght the
chuck wagon mules In the corral, har-
messed and hitched them, spread out
on the floor of the wagon box the bed
ding rolls he found there and loaded
his casualties Into the wagon.
Home, James" he called cheerily
to an imaginary chauffeur, climbed un
onto the seat and gathered the reinA.
He peered down between his legs at
Roberta's face upturned to him from
the wagon bed.
YOU'D have to live few lifetlmes
~ nv.