The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-04-12

by an expression Of concern and he
came close before he spoke.
II hear Red Bart Delaney's in town."
Ben nodded grimly.
"Came to see me yesterday"
"Now
'Yeah. Took a long look at me :.
over the sights Of rifle"
"Benl Why, son!"
Elliott laughed mirthlessly and told
what had happened in the Hoor Owl
chopping the day before.
$50 he's gotten down to the hiring
of a killer!" Able looked anxiously
into Ben's face. "Son 1t can't
go on. Timber or no timber; success
or failure for the Hoot Owl, you've got
to think of yourself!"
I'm doing that I've been to see
Brandon and tried to drive him into
the open. That's all l ask of him; that
he fights fair"
"And If he won't, what?"
"Then I'll have to smoke him out !"
Able clicked his tongue.
Benny, your way Of doing things
scares me! Why, this can't go on. It
mustn't! It's your own affair, for sure,
when he tried to shoot you down. but
maybe, perhaps, possibly, I'm going to
beg you to be careful. So long as De-
laney's in the country you've got to
keep low. Get back to camp; stay
there; let us pick some man can
trust to follow Bart and Brandon night
and day so you'll not be caught!'
mo" Ben shook his head resolutely.
"I'll go on about my business as l
should. I've never run yet and don't
like to start any fast foot work now"
"But it's your life that's at stake,
Ben! Don't be silly. That's what reck-
lessness is: downright silly! That's
not like you. Why, not taking prccau-
lions in this thing is like monkeying
with a high tension WIRE"
mo good, Able. l couldn't hold up
my head if l hid out after the play I've
made"
So Able was forced to give up after
a time and shuffled up the street, draw
ing off his mitten again and rubbing
his face briskly with his palm.
He had only reached his office and
was unlocking the door when Aunt EN-,
walking grimly as if with definite pur-
pose, approached.
"Good morning" he began.
Forget the palaver, Able Armitage!"
the woman said sharply. you're in
trouble. So, are we all, maybe. That's
why came to see you. Is it true what
they say that this Red Bart Delaney
has showed up here in Tincup?"
"As true as disease or death or any
thing else unpleasant"
"That's what I'd heardl Do 1 have
to guess why he's Gomez"
Able united his scarf and shook his
head sadly.
"No, EN-. Your first guess will be
right. And he took shot at Benny
yesterday"
"And missed, ia judge from the look
of hin. just now. But if he's still here
there'lf be next time; and he won't
miss then. Did you do your duty and
send the boy to some safe placer"
Able sighed and told her of his talk
with Ben.
$50 you couldn't make him listen to
reason!" she muttered. swell, If you
can't, / can't. And, us failing, there's
only one other who would have a ghost
of show"
DAWN"
She nodded. dawn could. But she
won't. She won't go to him now.
She wouldn't even listen to me talk
about him, she's in such state. She's
up to the ears in love with Ben FL
lott or I've got three legsl And then
to have that scandalous woman do
what she did and upset it all!'
She sat down heavily in a chair and
drew a great breath.
II don't have to ask you or any
other man about Ben Elliott, Ablel
know the clean and decent folks when
see 'em. I'd bet my reputation as
Christian woman on that boyl That
piece of play acting at the dance was
some of Nick Brandon's work, you can
bet your last red cent? had to give
him piece of my mind just for relief
the other day and, goodness me, what
look he give mel Why, Able, that
mans worse than ever thought! Ny,
oh, myi He gave me look that like
to froze the blood right in my veins,
after all the years of palaver and soft
talkin' I've listened to from him! =
swell, what Pm gettin' at is this:
The boys in danger of bein' murdered
every minute Of day and night unless
he takes your advice. There's no one