Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1934-08-30
"Why will I?'
because It's true"

No argument could gainsay that
moreover. the man had truth In his
blue Sits OF eyes and In his voice.
"Did Hays tell you | was a rustler7 7"
II think he mentioned IT."
"Did he tell you We was pards
once? Tibet he double-crossed
me-
mo-
"Wal. I'll let 1t go at thet," returned
Heeseman. eoolly. "Much obliged for
lettin' me come up. An II you get
curious just ride over to see me.
lie rose, stretched his long length.
and walked Off the porch to mount his
horse, leaving jim about as surprised
as he had ever been. Happy Jack
came out In time to see him join his
comrades end ride back with them
toward the corrals.
short visit. Glad 1t was. What'd
be want?"
Darn II ! savvy. altogether. Didn't
you hear any OF our talk?"
No. | reekoned the less | heard the
better. Then Hank couldn't razz me.
But | had a huneh of what he was
up TO-"
Jim did not press the question. He
carried his rifle back into the cabin,
rather ashamed OF his ~oYerhaste, and
feeling already curious enough to call
on Heeseman.
They had supper. after which Jack
smoked and talked. while Jim listened.
Evidently Happy Jack had taken a Xix
Ing to him. Jim went to bed early. not
because he was sleepy, but to keep
from calling on that fellow Heeseman.
How many nights Jim Wall had
lain down under the dark trees to
wakefulness, to the thronging thoughts
TINT must mock the rest of any man
who has strayed from the straight and
narrow path 1t tormented him at
certain times. But that never kept the
old concentrated bordering over to-
morrow from gaining control OF bis
consciousness.
There had been no hesitation about
Hank Hays declaring himself In re-
gard to Heeseman. Callous, con-
temptuous, Hays had indicated the de
STABILITY Of riding the range of Heese-
man. But Heeseman had been subtle.
PROFESSIONALLY his motive had been
to undermine Hays In Jlm's regard.
And d few questions and an assertion
or two had had their effect. Jim made
the reservation that he had not &C
cepted Hays on anything but face
value. Still the robber had gradually
built up a character of Intent force,
cunning, and strength. These had
crashed, though there vas no good rea-
son for that. Jim had not accepted
Hays word for anything.
Hays was not a square partner
This stuck In Jim's craw.
Why this seemed true puzzled Jim.
Heeseman had simply verified q form
ing but still disputed suspicion In Jlm's
mind-that Hank Hays had evil de
signs upon Herrick's sister. Heese-
man and Hays had probably known for
weeks that this English girl was ex-
pected to arrive.
Suppose he hadl What business
was that OF Jlm's? None, except that
he now formed one OF Hays band and
such had a right to question activi-
ties. Rustling cattle, at least In q
moderate way, was almost a legiti-
mate business. Ranchers, since the
early days Of the cattle drives from
Texas, had accepted their common
losses 1t had been only big steals
that reused them to Ire and action, to
make outlaws out OF rustlers. Never
theless, 1t was extremely doubtful, out
In the wilds of Utah, that even a
wholesale steal would be agitating.
To abduct a girl, however, might throw
interest upon the perpetra-
tors. Hays object a%ssuredly was to
ransom.
Still that had not been Heeseman's
nor had 1t been Jim's orig
Inal suspicion He rave 1t up In dis
gust Time would tell. But he did
not feel further inclined to call upon
Heeseman. He would stick to Hays,
awaiting developments
The ensuing day passed u%neventful-
|y. No one Of Smoky's outfit showed
up. nor did Hays return. Jim waited
for Herrick to give him orders, which
we're not forthcoming. The rancher
was chasing jackrabbits and coyotes
with the hounds.
Next morning Jim made 1t a point
10 ride over to the barns. The rancher
down In a queer costume. The
red coat took Jim's eye. A motley
pack OF hounds and sheep dogs was
lew to Jim. al he had not seer or
heard any dogs about the ranch. Jim
vas invited to ride along with Herrick
md the several cowboys. They went
,y Heeseman's camp, which was va
amt. Jim was to learn that the
-ancher had put the Heeseman outfit
work on the cutting and peeling or
up on the slope, preparatory to
he erection Of a new barn.
Jack rabbits were as thick as bees.
rhe cowboys led the dogs, which soon
,ecame unmanageable and bolted.
Then the race was on Where the
round was level and unobStructed by