The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-10-20

shouldn't be bothering you with things like that now"
 "III have to make other ar- rangements about going on"
 "Well, you won't be starting to- night, so just lie still. My place ain't very high and mighty-noth- ing like the Rancho Angelo where I used to live - but you're well come to what I have. I'll fix us some supper now" The old man arose and walked toward the kitchen.
 Mark closed his eyes. He felt as though he'd taken a good beat- ing, and his head wasn't just clear. He'd be glad to rest for a day or two. He would make it all right with the old man.
 A week passed, t1ts Mark Chap man was still too lame to leave Jed Hoskeer's shack. It was evening and the two were sitting smoking on a makeshift bench.
 "Yes, sir, tell you I'll get even with the Travers bunch" declared Jed. "They done me dirt, turn ing me out of the Rancho Angelo, and me with my money read to buy it from Peter Everett" His old blue eyes blazed.
 "But wasn't there anything you could have done about it?"
 "Nol They showed me the deeds and the letter from Everett, &C., cepting their offer for the place." Jed puffed furiously on his pipe. Then he spoke q never could understand Peter Everett going back on his word. He'd promised to sell the Rancho Angelo to me if he ever decided to get rid of it. I can't see why he changed his mind and let this gang get it. Of course, I'll never know now, for he was killed just as he reached New York after being away whole year on the other side of the water: but I'll get even with the Travers bunch! It's them I blame. I'd never speak i'll of the dead"
 A horse and rider came loping along, and turned into the broad drive that led to the Rancho Aneglo.
 "That's Dan Draffen. The Trav- CTS gang put him in the moment they took over the property. They pay him to look after the place. He's decent enough sort. I've nothing against him, even if he is in their pay. He lets me stay here - not but what I could buy another place, but I'm not nov ing out of the valley till I'm through with Travers and his gang!" The old man rose and disappeared into the shack.
 Mark Chapman smoked stead- fly as daylight gave place to night and the far blue sky was pierced with silver stars. Hour after hour he'd listened to Jed's stories. He knew now he had come home too late to see any of his kin. They: were all gone now = unless Peter Everett'S daughter still lived.
 Sometimes Mark thought the old man was crazed. Maybe Dan Draffen would have another side of the story to tell. Yet as Mark tried to think things out-tried to weave into pattern of some sort the strange tale Jed had retailed to him, he couldn't see why his brother -in-law had failed to keep faith with the old man. Shaking the ashes from his pipe, he followed, Jed .- into, the shack. There were some queer angles to this deal. Mark had made up his mind to get to the bottom of it, even if the old man had gone 8 bit crazy over the transaction. AS he climbed into his bunk Mark realized how much the old home meant to him. Rancho Angelo must be restored to the family again!
 'Did you ever think of writing to the man in whose care you sent your rent money to Everett?" Mark ask ed next morning as the two drove to town for some supplies.
 "No! He'd nothing to do with Everett's affairs" Jed answered. You see, it was like this. Everett was always travelling and some times his letters would get lost, so he wrote and asked me to send mine in care of this Giles Har- ding in New York"
 Have you his address?" "Oh, remember it all right, but it's no good to me now" Jed turned and gave him pitying look.
 'Hey, there, look out, or you'll have us both in the ditch!" cried Mark.
 'sakes alive, I guess I will"