The Coolidge examiner., 1935-08-09

have saved 0eT AhtHlab~ l1r an
hour before she reached Trap
canyon Lee Bishop was dead.
when Kentucky had packed the
body 20 the Bake Pan camp % the
Bar Hook. where he placed II with
that Of jim Humphreys, he faced
his horse into the steep switch.back
trail up the rim. aud started for
the main ranch.
lie felt no weariness, but only a
black temper. Now that he knew for
the arst time what set Of ugly cir.
cumstances be was up against. he
knew what be had TO do: II was
not easy. and be wanted to get II
behind him.
The voices Of the guns and the
circumstance Of Lee Bishops death
had brought him an odd new alert.
ness. an almost painful conscious
ness Of everything that moved with.
In the limits Of the rimrock horizon.
IL was as II he had found himself
returned 10 the days OF his forefa-
theirs. when an awareness Of far-off
details had lot TO do with keeping
on a mans scalp.
And long before Jean Ragland
came in sight. he knew that two
horses were coming toward him
along the trail. that they had but
one rider, and that second horse was
not driven. but led
As they met Ia the trail he saw
tina, her face was quiet with the res
lEnatlon which had characterized II
for the last two days: but her eyes
we're alive. There was n touch Of
feverlsh light In them which told
him that she was still fighting.
though what she was dghtlng. or
how. he was no longer sure that he
knew.
I've brought ron n fresh horse"
she said Immediately. Maybe IL
doesn't look Ike much horse. but II
Is whole lot Of horse. Pretty near
any Bar Hook horse would give
down under you before this plug
would"
Il suppose kind of ought 20
appreciate that Kentucky said
'but. Jean. how come you think I
am going 10 need such long travel.
Ing horseT'
Kentucky she said. Kentucky
49," She drew her hand across her
eyes. as II what she was trying
to say was almost beyond her abll-
It's. Look here. I've asked lot
OF favors of you. Kentuck: a lot
more than ever had any right 90
ask. | have 60 ask you one thing
more. II you1l DO this one thing
more for me. I'll be- grateful to you
all ms life: and swear Ill never
ask anything OF you again"
Jean. girl. Kentucky said.
whats happened hereT'
Take this horse. and the mule
and such Of the stuff as 700 need
don't need to tell you where 60 20 or
how TO get there. nor how 20 get
along: but do as I say Go a long
way. and 20 fast. and lose yourself /;
and never come back until some day
this CHASTITY thing is over with and
forgotten :"
Kentucky Jones stared az her a
long time. Studying her face: but
her eyes did not finch from bis. At
last a crooked one.slded smile
changed his mouth.
Il know this Is a terrible sacrifice
for you" Jean said. Il wouldn't ask
yon this. Kentucky. ] swear !
wouldn't. II ! wasn't 50 positive that
there's no other way. Believe this
III be your friend. always: II may
be later that I can help you. and
send your money 10 you. or some
thing Ike that That viii work out
later. All can say now is that I'd
rather be dead than sitting here tell
Ing you this; but there isn't any
other way"
why do you ask thisf" Kentucky
said curiously.
"Kentucky-God forgive me FL
can't answer thati But | tell you
that there isn't any time 10 lose
Not an hour. not even-I can't tell
you any morel / can only"
You'll have to tell me, think. .
Kentucky said
you've got TO do what ! say"
she told him passlonately. without
any question Of why about 1t"
You hardly expected me TO do
that. | think" he told her.
Jean cried out sharply. Don't!
Take the horse and 20. Kentucky,
as you love me-but you don't love
me: know that"
Il think" he said, lust now II
doesn't matter a whole lot who loves
who. or who doesn't"
There was a touch OF hysteria In
her voice as she answered him. mo.
not TO you-I think you don't care
anything about anybody in the
worldl"
God help the man who does" he
said. "As for taking that horse and
making a run OF II, 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. TN tell