Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1934-04-13
Nv HAROLD TITUS
Copyright by Harold Titus
WNU Service

II have not even told myself that
you are not Young Jim Flynn"
swell. how in When did Who
told you that, LaFane?"
"YOu."
81? l haven't breathed it,"
mo. You have said nothing. You
have been smart and wise. But the
first day I took the mail up to your
cabin I walked in quietly. thought
you were out but you were sitting
there at table and you thought, even
though surprised you, that you put
1t away In time. But you did not.
saw it in your face as you looked at 1t.
mo man. you know, would look at
his sisters photograph as you were
looking at Kate Flynn's."
Steve felt himself flushing. He re-
called how he had beerse-reading her
letters that first day in his new cabin
and of how his heart had speeded up
when he looked at her likeness
"Well, there's nothing much for me
to say!" he laughed. abashed.
Sand no need of it. Your business
Is not NINE Why you came as you
did. I don't know. I'm not curious,
even. know what you have done,
which is to save Old Jim's hide for a
time, anyhow. That is all that matters.
He. too, is my friend"
Thanks" said Steve, feeling that
any words were inadequate. I'm glad
you found out about me for yourself.
was wondering how to tell it. :.
"Now. here's my present prob
lem :" and swiftly he told Of how
he had Numbered ON Young Jim. Of
how he had come to masquerade and
of the worry which Franz's news to-
day had given him.
"And If leave the job and try to
persuade Young Jim to stay away or
to brace him up, things may all go to
the devil before can return"
The other agreed.
"Do you suppose you could do two
jobs in one? Keep the boy away until
we have a chance to see what can be
done toward putting this thing really
on it's feet and, while you're doing it,
handle him as as you handled
Duke? can't keep this game up very
long. But until Old Jim gets squared
away somebody must he in charge who
has clear head and the respect of
the men,"
"YOu're asking that?"
II am"
"Where is he?"
Steve pondered. "How much red
clay is there in this country? Within
a days travel, mean"
'"Only in one place. On portage
between the Goodbye and the Mad
Woman"
81 came that way. And the bottom
of Franz's canoe was smeared with
1t today 1t was fresh. He had just
come across the carry"
eff Young Jim is still on the Mad
Woman and bound to come here, it
will be across that trail If the rest
are with him, 1t may be not too easy"
La Fame shrugged and rose. II will
do what 1 can do"
Then, without speaking further he
walked toward his house. Steve stood
on the beach watching him and think
ing that, for such situation, no bet
ter man could have been found to &C.
complish all that might be done.
But after LaFane had departed on
his mission another problem arose in
Steve's mind.
Mary Wolf had been headed for the
Mad Woman. If Franz had been that
way, might 1t not be that he had gone
to look for her and cause trouble? But
If so, he reasoned as this suspicion
arose, she had either rebuffed or
eluded the man. Franz had been alone
today and he had it from Tim Todd
that he had gone on down the lower
river telling some one that he was
headed for the Lairds.