Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-02-15
CHAPTER l

When Ranceford Kershaw came out
Of the post Office at Valley Center, his
daughter Lorraine, seated at the wheel
Of the Kershaw car at the curb, saw
instantly that he had received some
mail of disturbing nature. His head
was bowed little, as from a blow,
and In his tread there was a lag that
bespoke an inhibition slightly greater
than that induced by the bullet that
had shattered his hip many years pre-.
vious.
When he reached the car he leaned
against the front door; then slowly
his head came down until Ills face was
hidden. He shivered family and sigh,
half pain, half despair, escaped him.
His daughter watched him with
something of the alert, professional
concern Of trained nurse. Only, in
Lorry Kershaw's eyes, profound affec-
tion and pity showed.
She knew her father suffered from
angina pectoris, and two doctors had
told her long time ago that she must
W
They had warned her against exhibit
ing the slightest concern during one
of his attacks, since that would merely
add to the grief and worry of her ia
Their and perhaps hasten the end.
So the girl waited until be raised
his face and smiled at her a trifie
sheepishly. THAT was a real twister,"
he gasped. ~ figgered l was a goner
for sure. don't think could stand
another like that one, Lorry."
Nonsense" Lorry twisted his great
nose.
''You amt sympathetic" he pro-
tested, with show of irritation. But
the girl knew he was secretly pleased;
that her comradely badinage helped
materially to allay his excitement and
the resultant furious pounding of his
heart.
"Too bad about you, isn't lt?" she
jeered. You know very well the doc
tors orders are to avoid excitement
and to cultivate placid outlook upon
life at its worst. Nevertheless, the
instant you receive bad news you
selfshly hoard 1t. Don't you know
that bad news split between us doesn't
occupy nearly so much valuable space
in that stified breast of yours? You
climb into this car, Rance Kershaw,
and cease your nonsense"
Rance Kershaw grinned at his
daughter lovingly. He rellshed being
bullied by her, for he was fully aware
of her reason for bullying him; aware
that under her calm, debonair exterior
there were tears and terror.
They drove in silence for about two
miles. Then her father said: "You
were right, darling. found a real
jolt waiting for me in the post office.
The Valley Center bank has bought
our mortgage from the Savings Bank
Of San Francisco, an Babson's called
1t. Got to pay up in five days or the
bank'll enter suit to foreclose."
yes, that was quite a SHOCK" Lorry
agreed, "but it might be worse. We
have a year in which to redeem the
ranch, and in that time we may be
able to refund our mortgage"
We'll be counted out thirty days
after the suit Is filed. Nate Tichenor
will close in on us and take the cattle
as soon as he hears Babson has filed
suit. And after that 1t wouldn't be
worth while tryin' to refund the ranch
mortgage. cattle ranch without cat
tie on it is liability"
"Still we're not downhearted,' the
girl protested. 1--WE have two thou
sand head of feeders that aren't mort
gagged to Nate Tichenor and we can
get twenty dollars head for them.
II we sell them now we can escape
with forty thousand dollars, but If we
hold them to put more fat on them
Babson or Nate Tichenor will attach
them to help cover deficiency judy
ment Forty thousand dollars can be
made to earn per cent net. That's
two thousand year. And | have a
high school teachers certificate Sc
cured in the University of California.
can earn eighteen hundred dollars
year teaching school-and on thirty
eight hundred year you and can
live the life of Reilly. Not worry
In life, old-timer."
"You can live the life of Reilly on 1t,
honey, but / shall not. 1t will kill me
to give up Eden valley-an' you know
why"
1T would have been blessing II
our family had never seen Eden Val
ley" the girl cried passiOnately. ITS
been paid for in blood and tears and
heartbreak and social ostracism, and
all we have to show for the years is a
private cemetery filed with Kershaw
women who died heartbroken and
Kershaw men who passed away with
their boots on. And at last the Hens
ieys have triumphed over u.s."
They got two more in their GENE
terry than we have, Lorry.'
but they haven't any debts-and
after fighting fifty years to own all OF
Eden Valley they'll win at last. Nate
Tichenor must have money enough to
buy in our ranch at the sherff's sale.
Well, he's earned his victory. If any
body Is to get our part Of Eden Val
ley, l hope it will be Nate Tichenor.
wonder what sort Of man Nate Tiche-
nor has turned out to bel"