The Coolidge examiner., 1935-08-16

/ self be used as TOOL. But I'm
not n blind man. and you should
have allowed Tor that. So you
thlnk you can make IL stick. do
youF' lie DID not miss The lick of
I Campo's ewes as they dropped for
an instant to kenlucky's holstered
gun
"Wha' can make stick and what
won't stick" Campo said. Il don't
pretend Ike ! know only know
what I'm convinced Of In my own
mind"
"As FOR Instance"
"As|for instance. repeated Cam.
20. his eyes red and steady on Ken.
luckys face. "that you Ike to ruin
us ali when you shot John Mason
down"
They looked at each other for a
I moment more. then Kentucky Jones
moved his hands 10 the buckle of
hls belt. lie saw the quick start Of
I Campo Raglands right hand toward
his holster. but Kentucky only
loosed bis belt and tossed Il aside
You needn't fret yourself said
Kentucky. You're never going 10
get Eunhght out Of me. Campo"
Campo said. Il expect not. Rut
II you're holding OF because you're
gone on my ElrL you can pick your
gun belt mp again Because ne
d--n Sneaklus killer Is 90 20 so
much as walk where her shadows
been"
In the little pause Kentucky
heard the outer door Of the kitchen
open and close. and knew that Jean
had come Maybe you're right" be
said Maybe / couldn't ever bring
myself 20 gun you. because OF the
reason you've named Maybe. II Il
wasn't Tor just that one thing. you'd
I have been talking for your life.
Campo. these many days ago
Campo Ra=laud's voice rose hard
and tight. III you think you can"
lie checked himself.
Il don't think about what could
have done. because that's past But
I'm asking myself why you don't
sing mighty small
what's the meaning OF thatf"
RaEiand snarled.
I'll give you Just one little point
er as 20 what's the meaning Of that
where's the rife that Killed John
Mason7 You don't know. But
know And could lay hands on
IL now"
The rounded recedlng sweep OF
Campo's forehead was marked with
tortuous distended veins that stood
out IN bold relief 10 the unfavorabie
slant ot the light
Bring II out, then" Campo cried
out "If you think I'm afraid 10
have that rife brought out"
"No. said Kentucky. 1T isn't
me that you're afraid or. II wasn't
that. that sent you prowllng around
In the dark trying 20 end n way 90
deliver up another man It's the
man that's swamplng your range
while you SIT by and watch your
riders 90 out and get shot"
III you mean I'm afraid ~ Bob
Elliot said Campo. "yon ile. and
put u TO your face And when Il
comes 20 you--come out with what
you've got. and all you've got! Ia
rather be dead than think you held
back from Il for the sake of-for
the reason you're trying 10 make
me think"
"Pul that reason ont of your
head" said Kentucky when this
things over I'm going 10 turn my
back on the batch OF you. and move
on.
No" said Campo. his voice very
deep and strong, but shaken with
repressed turbulence. "you1i
never be moving on. He came into
the room aud stood close In front
OF Kentucky. redeyed as a reused
bear. Not any more" he said
You hear me? I've found out what
you supposed nobody would ever
hnd out. found out that you had
more reason 10 XIII Mason than any
living man! :"
And III make II easy for you"
said Kentucky. 'Ill admit H."
Ragland stared AZ him a moment
thunder struck. "You-you-what?'
Suddenly Kentucky laughed in his
face. silently. with an ugly twist OF
the mouth. You're a fool. Campo
ne said
Campo Ragland blew up. I've
stood enough" he shouted, his voice
rising In a shudderIng gust. He
snatched up Kentuckys gun belt
and tried TO thrust Il into his HANDS.
Take your gun belt, and I'll give
you the break Take II and draw =
"And II / don't" said Kentucky.
"Then I'll see you crack your
neck AZ the end OF rope :"
There was a small sound behind
Campo Ragland, voiced inarticulate-
IL. ike a word that had tried 10
make Itself heard and could not.
Looking past Campo. Kentucky saw
that Jean was standing there. In
the doorway where her father had
stood.
Her words broke throatily. jerked
ond twisted forced their way out