The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-07-05
CHAPTER vI-Continued

was very faint. He was plying the
girl as he had never pitied anyone IN
his life. There was forlorn despera-
ton about her scheme which told him,
better than anything else could have
done, how heavily events had pressed
down upon this girl. In effect, Jean
Ragland was offering him all the tan
gible assets which she controlled to
serve, as a gunfighter, and leader OF
gunfghters. Yet to the best of his be-
lief she was justified. There was moth
ing imaginary about the encroachment
of Elliotl and If Campo persisted In
his unaccountable state of paralysis
the Bar Hook brand was done.
"What's Campo going to say to this?'
he asked her.
'I'll take care Of Campo"
Kentucky Jones found himself deep
ly stirred. Yet he would have thought
himself fool If he had accepted such
a proposition only to please Jean. One
consideration alone urged him to agree.
He was anxious to talk to Bob Elliot;
and he felt that the basis she suggested
would give him every advantage In
this
"I'm not going to turn you down."
he said at last. "But l can accept only
on certain conditions. First, that too
strenuous an objection is not made by
your father. Another Is that If Campo
Ragland later decides to make his own
fight; or If for any other reason I'm
no longer needed, then can withdraw,
and the deal is Off"
ST accept that" she said.
Another condition Is that the price
of one dollar be changed to read: One
dollar and such other consideration as
the buyer shall consider proper, &C.
cording to the state of the market upon
delivery"
She objected vigorously to that; but
since at worst it conceded him what
profit he might consider justified, she
at length gave in. She offered him her
hand, closing a bargain which placed
him In the most curious position he
ever had occupied In his life.
"Jean," he said. "I'm going to ask
you one question, and l want you to
answer 1t. Do you know who killed
John Mason"
"No," she said instantly. Kentucky,
swear that I don't know thatl /
thought I knew, until lack Sanders
was found; but now I'm just as sure
that was wrong"
II won't try to get you to tell me-"
he said, what you evidently don't want
me to know. But, Jean, tell you this:
the time may come when I'll need your
help and need it bad. When that time
comes, want you to remember that
perhaps wouldn't be In this If you
hadn't asked me in"
Il won't forget"
He got up and jerked on his coat.
"I'm going to see Bob Elliot" he told
her.
The back Of her hand flew to her
mouth. Now" she said family.
ITS as good time as any, isn't it?"
Jean Ragland turned white. "Then
go on. You'll guess you know I wish
you luck"
Il might need it." he admitted.
AS he reached the door she sud-
denly called his name, and he turned
back. She was staring after him,
white-faced. "Are-will you be armed?"
II don't know. Wen see."
He was wondering, as he saddled a
fresh pony, If she had commissioned
him to kill Bob Elliot.
The buildings of the SS were made
variously of adobe, clapboards, and
square-hewn logs.
Bill McCord stood in the doorway Of
the barn as Kentucky Jones came up.
Kentucky had a feeling that he had
been seen and watched from long
way off.
"You want to see me?" McCord
asked.
'I'll talk to your boss, If he's here"
Bill McCord rolled crooked cigar
cite from one corner of his mouth to
the other. "All right. He's up at the
house." He did not offer any accommo-
dations for Kentucky's horse.
Kentucky rode to what appeared to
be the main door of a squat adobe
which glance of McCord's eye had
indicated. The door opened as he pulled
up, and Bob Elliot stood there, looking
at him without expression.
Hello, Bob" Kentucky said.
Bob Elliot leaned against the side
of the doorway, lean-shouldered,
STRAIGHTFORWARD. looking competent and
tall. 1T seems very peculiar" he said
with casual freshness, ITO see you
here"
II suppose so," said Kentucky, swing
Ing down without invitation. "Are you
going to ask me in or notg"
II hadn't thought of It," said Elliot;
SIS there any special call for it?''
"There Is"
'Let's hear what your business is,
then"
Its little matter of range rights"
Kentucky told him.
I'm that case," said Elliot, ego back
and tell your boss you fell down. I
understand nv rights on the Bake Pan.