The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-06-15
CHAPTER V-Continued


The deputy sheriff rolled a comical
eye at the editor. 81 haven't seen the
boy since he was in high school here,
but from what little / know o. his
tribe | should say none O. that breed
ever made a threat. They made prom
ises-an' kept EN-"
81 sized him up that way" the edI-
tor replied.
After eliciting from Brainerd all the
news the latter had, Mr.. Rooney
strolled away to distribute his tidbit
of gossip around Valley Center. Al
most the first place he went was to
the Bank of Valley Center. Henry
Rocky. in charge during Babson's
absence, received him.
Il see young Nate Tichenor's back
in the country. An Rance Kershaw's
kicked the bucket. Died O. heart dis
ease right smack in front of the Bar
II gate, an Nate Tichenor an Lorry
Kershaw we been in town together an
thicker'n thieves"
when the cats away the mice'll
play, l suppose. Who told you all
this?" ....
''Brainerd. Tichenor was in an
gave him the story"
THAT Nate Tichenor's a bad lot"
Mr.. Rookby murmured darkly. 81
never liked him. Dye mean to tell me
he's around with Lorry Kershaw now,
helping her out in her trouble"
Mr.. Rooney nodded.
THE hypOcriteI He's back here to
smash the Kershaw outfit. Not an
other reason in life, Bill Rance Ker-
shaw's estate must owe Tichenor
moren three hundred thousand dollars
an for the past three years old Rance
has been using clam shells and wood
peckers' heads for money. interest
ing situation. Very interesting"
When he turned to wait on a Gus
toner Mr. Rooney continued on to the
Valley Center garage to discharge an
other load of his interesting informa-
ton.
Arrived back at the Circle head
quarters with Lorry Kershaw, and
Miss Lizzie Bachman, Nate Tichenor,
II,
did the chores. He realized that, with
the men all away, Lorry would have
had to do them. ....
He ate his dinner In silence, for both
. he and Lorry were acutely aware of the
presence Of Miss Bachman and dis
trusted her. After dinner he kindled a
log fire in the living room fireplace.
He was a straight, well-set-up young
man, not overly thick but muscular
he had little crescent out of his left
ear and faint white scar about three
inches long ran across his left temple
and disappeared into his hair. His
teeth were strong, even, white and
well cared for. His nose, thin and
high and a fraction too long, tended to
spoil what would otherwise have been
a handsome face, but lent to him an
air of distinction. 1t was the nose
of a thoroughbred, thinker His eye
brows, heavy and almost black. were
a bit overhanging, thus giving to his
glance an expression of alertness and
directness, particularly when he asked
one a question.
LOrry had already observed that he
moved with quick, precise motions.
like one very sure of himself and in
the pink of physical condition.
About eight-thirty the nurse retired
as her bedroom door closed behind her
Nate Tichenor arose, showed an easy
chair toward the fire and waved Lorry
into it. He remained standing until
she had seated herself.
TOO bad your father wasn't here
when l called this morning. might
have preserved his life for many
years" Tichenor snapped his fingers.
"Kismeti" he murmured.
1--WE thought you were waiting until
we got in so deep we couldn't swim
out, then you could smash us more
easily"
Had | chosen to smash you a long
time ago there was nothing to stop
me- You were helpless"
Then why didn't your"
81 didn't need the money and knew
could always protect myself.
could have gotten the ranch at % per
cent of its value. AS matter of fact,
] did plan to buy your mortgage. Sure
ly you do not think I am so careless
as not to have kept close watch on
the Kershaws."
Your people always wanted all Of
Eden Valley, of course. So you
planned to buy the mortgage and fore
close"
'No I MANNED to buy II and hold II.
because only In that way could be as
sured the Kershaws wouldn't be an