The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-06-06

color OF ST. Marie's face had returned, |
and with II had come back hts lock of
solid strength Sheriff Floyd Hopper
looked at Raglahd and Indicated ST
Marie with jerk of his head. "Chllls
and fever seem to have passed Off" he
said.
Campo Ragland grunted.
Campo said the sheriff, there's a
head going to fall-maybe more than
one head. Don't ever think that this
Is going to blow over. and be lost sight
of In a general dust There's man
going to be hooked hard and per-
manent before I'm through"
"Floyd, what are you going to dol.
You mean you're taking Kentucky
Jones7"
mo. I'll know how to get him when
want him, | think. Now make your
choice, Campo! II you don't want to
string with me, l can go on without
you. But you may not like your choice
before this thing is through"
81 don't know what you mean," said
Ragland.
"Suit yourself" said Hopper; "only.
don't be too sure that this case Is
shaping up against Kentucky Jones'
Ragland afxered again. "Look here.
Floyd-Tm plenty tired Of this. You
can't come In here and talk that way
to me I'm not going to stand for It.
you hear mel"
Have 1t your own way, Campo
The sheriff picked up his coat and
gloves.
Nobody urged him to stay. Campo
Ragland asked what Hopper wanted
them to do about lack Sanders, and
received Instructions for reporting In
Waterman for an inquest No great
warmth of understanding marked Hop
per's departure.
IF you change your mind. Campo"
the sheriff said, "let me know"
Il tell you don't know what you're
ralklng about" Campo said stubborn
ly; and the sheriff took the long trail
back to town.
Stamping back into the house. Campo
RaEland turned Immediately upon Joe
st. Marie.
Look here, ST. Marie--if something
funny has happened around here l
want to know what 1t Isl
Il don't feel 80 good"
sWho did you throw down on when
you went out to feed your horseT'
''Who7 Me7"
Campo Ragland exploded at him.
yes, you'll Who did you fire att Come
out with 1t. now I"
Il thought saw coyote" said st.
Marie.
Don't you lie to me You can't get
away with that stuff here!'
II don't feel so good"
Campo Ragland gave 1t up In dis
gust, and st. Marie hurriedly took him
self out OF range. retiring to the bunk
house.
Campo seemed bewldered. To Ken
lucky Jones It seemed that the cross
purposes which held the boss OF the
Bar Hook In a state Of paralysis were
now almost physically visible, as wine
Is visible In prairie hay by Its effect
!, Here was an owner whose range wa,
being swamped, overwhelmed by thu
herds Of his enemy; he faced ruiz
which could only be averted by al
immediate and determined contest To-
the ground Yet something had thrown
, and hogtIed this handsome obscur,
| and hidden circumstance which n
seemed at a loss to combat. Kentuck,
! no longer could doubt that the clrcum
: Stance which hogtied Ragland had t
: do with Jean.
"I'll hire cook when we go In 70
: the inquest" Ragand spoke tonelessly
\ like man seeking to escape from 9th
Y er things "Jean wants to do the cook
Q Ing, and I'll let her, guess: but yo
fellers will have 10 get the fires starte
0 In the morning"
r "I'll take first crack at It, said lie
s Bishop.
q Kentucky Jones saw his chance an
d jumped 1t. The ultimate answer Nigh
E be deep In twisted trails, but his mex
y step was obvious and Immediate: h
e had to force the truth out Of St Marie
]. Lee Bishops removal would make OF
portunity for this, since the othe
J. hands would not be back from Waite
r man until the cars had been loaded
3 the morning. Then take the bunk o
the kitchen, Lee" he said. I'll I'll
q down and get you your bed"
Down III the bunk house, to whie
y joe ST Marie had retired, no ligl
= showed but from within came the cor
. pNeated rhythms OF mouth 0rgH
- played by master, telling Kentucl
~ that his man was still there, al
= awake. The mouth organ fell sllen
~ however, as he approached and. Ke
lucky stepping into the full light
u no less than three lamps, saw tn
: blankets screened the windows; al
20 a six.gun had replaced the mouth Q
gan In Joe St Marles hands.
y "Oh, it's you said St Marie shee
= Ishly, and dropped the six-gun on Il
), bunk beside him.
Kentucky cast glance at the bla
: kets which screened the window
a. xniv Tiy,a n afnan