The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-07-25

I've asked lot of favors of you, Ken
right to ask. have 10 ask you one
thing more. II you'll do this one thing
more for me. I'll be grateful to you
all my life; and l swear III never ask
anything of you again."
Jean. GIRL Kentucky said. whats
happened here?"
Take this horse. and the mule, and
such of the stuff as you need. | don't
need to tell you where to go or how to
get there, nor how to get along, but
do as say! Go long way. and go
fast, and lose yourself. and never
come back until some day this CHASTITY
thing is over with and forgotten."
Kentucky Jones stared at her long
time, studying her face. but her eyes
did not finch from his. At last a
crooked one-sided smile changed his
mouth
II know this Is terrible sacrifice
for you," Jean said. Il wouldn't ask
you this, Kentucky, swear | wouldn't.
If | wasn't SO positive that there's no
other way. Believe this-I'll be your
friend, always; 1t may be later that
can help you, and send your money
to you, or something like that. That
will work out later. All | can say now
Is that I'd rather be dead than sitting
here telling you this, but there isn't
any other way"
"Why do you ask this7" Kentucky
said curiously.
"Kentucky-Godf forgive me II can't
answer that But l tell you that there
isn't any time to lose! Not an hour,
not event can't tell you any more
can only
You'll have to tell me, ! thInk,"
Kentucky said.
His face was hard, and the fatigue
that she had been unable to detect
before now had carved lines about his
mouth, emphasizing the crooked line
of his broken nose.
You've got to do what | say" she
told him passlonately. without any
question of why about It,"
You hardly expected me to do that,
| think" he told her.
Jean cried out sharply. Don't! Take
the horse and go. Kentucky, as you
love me--but you don't love me;
know that"
II think" he said, lust now 1t
doesn't matter whole lot who loves
who, or who doesn't"
There was touch of hysteria In her
voice as she answered him. mo, not
to you-I think you don't care any
thing about anybody In the world!s
God help the man who does he
said. "As for taking that horse and
making run of 1t, I'm sorry not to
do something that you ask. But
can't imagine anything on the face Of
the earth that would make me do that
now"
Then" she said quickly, .I'll tell
you why you must. My father-my
father" 1t seemed for a moment as
II she were unable to go on. But she
luilEu uSiGCll lbENtiIl dild 6tohL GNGA-
ly. her words distinct and quick "You
know by this time why Bob Elliot Is
swamping the Bar Hook range You
have eyes that see things--I don't
think anyone can hide from you what
a thing means. You can't make me
think that you don't know why Elliot
has no fear of Campo, nor the Bar
Hook"
NO. he said slowly, Il wouldn't
pretend that I can't see that"
Her words tumbled out Of her inco-
herently. TITS because Bob Elliot was
close to the Bar Hook when Mason
was killed. Poor Lee Bishop knew
that-though don't think he knew
that he knew 1t. +"
Kentucky Jones said, Bishop told
me that he knew"
And now said Jean, ''now I've got
to tell you that I've known this all
along-almost from the first. And II
You're sure you want to tell me
this, Jean?p
II have to tell you-you make me
tell you"
That was n strange meeting. there
on the trail In all that dazzle Of sun
whipped snow, while all the sharp, sad
hidden things that this girl had never
meant to tell living soul came trem-
bling out Of her In panicky disorder.
Perhaps he should have wept or gath.
cred her In his arms; but he could
not.
All right" he said. what, exactly.
Is Bob Elliot holding over your IA
therf
Somehow he's guessed the truth:
that-whoever Killed Mason killed him
with my fathers rifle. | knew that
when | put the bullet into your hand
at the Inquest; I've known for days
that you must know that, too, though
you said nothing to me-
Yes" he admitted, u figured our
that"
And Bob Elliot knows tim GER
tain he knows 1t. Though | swear I
don't know how he Is so sure"
But you yourself are sure~effdt 1t is
true-that the murderer Used your IA
TIERS rlne?"
"The-the-yes; I'm virtually certain
n yrasr fatI !