The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-05-09

IL the time ever comes when 1t can
be shown that Mason Mas haurdeFsis-
and the man who murdered him Gun be
turned up
"AIaybe that Time" said Kentucky,
II Is -eeHing quicker than you think"
..Wheii 1t does come. I'll make my
play. and I'll make 1t stick. In the
meantme-think twice. you. before
you buck me! You can make plenty
trouble II you want; I've got no doubt
of that. But It's you thatll burn IL
you do
"I,eassure yourself Kentucky told
him. IF | can't make u finish play,
I'll make no play at ALL
Il don't know said the sheriff, but
what you'll go II little farther than
that if you know what's good for YOU
You meun-?"
The sheriff's voice was low. but his
words had more force than If he had
Numbered. Il mean you'll sit out Of
this altogether
Il told you what I'm going to do"
Kentucky said shortly. lie was In a
hurry now to be on his why. he want
ed To hit the Bar Hook road before the
final closing of the dark.
The sheriff shouted at him. "You In
fernal-"
The door came open, shuddering as
Ii broke clear from the Ice that had
formed at the sill.
The man who stamped the snow off
his boots upon the threshold was
straightforward and -shoudered !,
his age was indeterminate-he might
have been forty. or lie might have been
much more. He had elean-cut, knife
and penetrating as sharp bits of Ice.
And he radiated a driving. thrusting
energy. so definite as to convey an al
most physical sense OF impact
Floyd Hopper said without warmth,
Hello, Elliot; and Kentucky Jones
said, "Howdy.. Bob"
Kentucky Jones had always been on
good terms with Bob Elliot before. but
now Elliot looked over the other with
coolly noncommittal eye Il heard
Bob Elliot said, you got yourself a
| job today2'
That's So" a.
"Bar Hook?"
Yes"
The boss OF the So looked Kentucky
| over again slowly with certain bleak
irony. Then abruptly he turned away,
breaking into the Notwithstanding
cachinnatlons which passed with him
for laughter. 1t consisted OF shaking
/ of shoulders and series of coughing
/ sounds accompanied by a general
panied, crackedup look, but no ex.
/ preston Of enjoyment. While this
went on he always turned away from
his companions as II the unaccustomed
onslaught In truth seized him against
| his will.
The paroxysm died away. and Will
face like that Bob Elliot was able
to say at last .Oh, naturally! Oh
of course! y
1--WE found 1t useful face fol
fighting wolf, Kentucky agreet
equally "still. don't see"
LUST the brand" said Bob Elliot
that always goes loco over the near
! est gImlet-headed girl"
There was quiet while man could
count fifteen. I'm going 70 tinlsf
rolling this cigarette" said Kentucky
Jones. "and I'm going to roll It right
Then I'm going to see If still feel ths
same way about that last remark. AM
If do-I'm going 70 smash your teetl
down your throat
Maybe you are said Bob Elliot
without emotion. "Floyd,I hear some
body rustled The bullet that killet
John Mason"
"Uh, huh" said Hopper
I'm not sure that | saw that donp
Floyd" said Elliot. disregarding Ken
lucky now. "hut think maybe that
did, and | think so more and more"
Sheriff Floyd Hopper came awake
who was it,
Il don't want to name name, y salt
Bob Elliot, unless we can make
test to see If I'm right. II I'm right
the party that took the bullet passe'
it on to another. and don't think thi
second one passed 1t on. | don't know
bnt what he's just dumb enough 4
have 1t STILL
And where Is IT." said the sheriff
II Think Bob Elliot said. that you
find the bullet that killed Mason In tn
clothes of this man here. kentuck
Jones'"
The three were motionless for me
ment. The sheriff stared from one Q
them to the other. Look here"
THAT settles it, said Kentucky. IL
smashed Bob Elliot across the face wit
his open hand.
The owner or the So staggere
against the wall. spun half around wit
the weight Of that open-handed slaT
Jones said. Take care of yourself.
Ellot's hand made whipping snatc
at the gun at his right thigh as ker
lucky struck again. this time with hi
closed left hand Elliot's head snapne
back. he seemed 10 teeter for mn
ment, face upward. then bnckled
! the knees and went to the floor lik
A.