The Washington times., 1935-01-12

OO4AACCAAAAAS III L11G man voice
made Dick turn quickly, for an
implied threat lowered in his
tone.
"Is Verde under military
law?" Dick flung back at him.
O'Hearn shook his head.
Stepping forward, Dick picked
up his stetson. well, until it
1t, I recognize but one author
1ty."
"And that is?"
"The desert ranchers the
men who made this country
the men whose home is here and
who are going to keep it in spite
OF Nick Sari, the military, and
all He'll"
Firebrand
ThruSting on his hat, Lowell
turned and ran down the steps
to the car. AS he took the wheel
he heard light feet hurrying
close behind, and even before
he started the engine Nora
Jumped into the seat beside him.
She laughed softly as he skid
ded the car around the parade
ground and in silence raced out
the road toward Verde.
"Of all the ardent firebrands!
Isn't it wiser to be a little more
friendly"
He tried not to meet her smil.
ing gaze, tried not to see the
rain sparkling on her lashes and
Windblom hair, but with gaze
liked on the road ahead he an
sWered, What would you have
me do? Give up the idea of this
meeting and let Sari have his
way?"
Angry and a little hurt she
olazed back at him. "You know
wouldn't. But there's nothing
70 be gained by antagonizing
Pat. It's only fair to him that
ne should have your side of the
question as well as Sari's."
If OHearn hasn't heard the
fanchers' side, you've certainly
neen missing superb opportuni-
ties"
What do you mean?r
Isn't my meaning clear
enough? You ride with him
nearly every day in the week."
She was silent, glad in her
neart that for a moment she
had been able to hurt him. "Well,
Or course, We don't talk about
Wose things all the time" she
answered, and her eyes rose
mockingly to his stern, set face.
:. suddenly she asked, What
dme is the meeting?"
Eight"
She glanced at her watch. Not
quite two hours more. They
drew up before the newspaper
over to her Lowell felt the girls
Office, and as he turned the car
hand clutch his sleeve.
Dick" she pleaded, and now
all trace of anger and resent
anent had departed from her
voice
you're overwrought and
troubled, and it's terribly i'm
portant that what happens to-
night be done wisely. Promise
me one thing. Promise me YOU
won't lose your head. Say that
you won't let Sari goad you into
doing anything that may bring
disaster at the very moment of
your victory. You must be cool.
You must be calm. For the sake
OF the cause and for your own
self, Promise me-"
In Two Hours
Turning, he looked into her
eyes. He forced himself to
smile. Il promise" he said.
For a fleeting second the lit
tle hand frightened on his sleeve,
then she was gone.
It had grown dark since they
left the cavalry post, and Dick
realized he had not eaten since
early morning, so walking past
the newspaper office he turned
UP a side street where Verde's
only restaurant had its redolent
existence. AS he rounded the
corner the north wind buffeted
him with increased fury, driven
beneath a sky that grew blacker
with low, Scudding clouds.
But inside the restaurant a
stove reared and after a half
neglected meal Dick sat Smok-
ing, turning in his mind plans
Tor the coming crucial hours.
Just ahead lay the most critical