The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1936-09-18
GUNL0CK
Ran CHI
by
FRANK H. SPEARMAN
Copyright Frank II. spearman
WNU Service
CHAPTER 1
Copyright Frank II. spearmap
wNU Service

1t was the Fourth Of July. and Sleepv
Cat-that sunswept little desert town
bordering on the Very Bad Lands of
the arid Southwest-was dusty.
Dust was not unusual in Sleepy Cat;
to be dusty was its normal condition;
when not dusty. Sleepy Cat was dead.
But you needn't be scared Of this
kind Of dust" explained DIR. Carpy,
who, sitting with his feet up against
the porch handrail Of his Sleepy Cat
Hotel, was talking to Jane Van Tam
bel. Its not dirt. this dust-not like
your Chicago dust. It's clean volcanic
ash that drifts up from the Spanish
Sinks.
But toward shutdown when the ash
settles over the Superstition Range and
the sun shines through It, the air shows
every color Of the rainbow. That snow
on Music Mountain DIR. Carpy point
ed-"loOks pink and red and purple
You'll like 1t out here"
Jane disagreed vigorously. "Oh, no!
It's going to be awfully lonesome after
city life" she declared positively.
you'll never be lonesome In Sleepy
Cat-unless you're good" observed the
doctor cynically. "Otherwise you'll find
things generally hum in Sleepy Cat"
1T certainly is lively today" con-
coded the dissatisfied city girl.
1t was. Horsemen, not a few of them
cowmen, clattered up and down Front
street and River street. chiefly to hear
their own noise. And mob of miners
and prospectors from Thief River had
come up for the celebration and the
horse races.
Been out on the Fairgrounds YETI"
asked the doctor, continuing his chat
with Jane. "Seen any of the races?"
II saw the Indian races this morning
such yipping and yelling! And those
Texans that rode into town yesterday
they yelled louder than the Indians"
THAT outfit has just delivered four
thousand head of cattle to the Gun
lock Agency. They checked them in
yesterday. Some old-tlme Sleepy Cat
tiers in that bunch-Henry Sawdy and
John Lefever made the drive with the
Outfit-all the way up from the Rio
Grande. Hello" exclaimed the doctor
lazily. here comes SAVOY now"
A rather tall man, we'll rounded out,
somewhat bow-legged strongly built
and confident, If not aggressive, in
manner, was coming up the wooden
steps leading from the sidewalk to the
hotel office. Carpy hailed him. SAVOY,
poised under an overwhelming SOM
brero, turned and walked toward the
doctor and his guest.
Henry" exclaimed the doctor. You
blamed old lOnghorn, never looked to
see you back in Sleepy Cat"
"Afn't no warrants out agin me, are
there?" asked Sawdy in calm. blunt.
but spirited fashion.
"There must be one or more agin
you down along the Rio Grande, Hen
ry," retorted the doctor, "Or you
wouldn't he so far from the tinkIe of
the guitar with winter coming on. Meet
Miss Van Tambel-newcOmer since you
went south. Mr.. SAVOY, Miss Jane"
Hat in hand, SAVOY stared Miss
Van Tambel?" he echoed. Did l get
the name right?' he asked as Jane nod
ded to his greeting.
You got II right" remarked Carry
dryly.
"Well," returned Sawdy, swallowing.
III you could get a few more newcom-
ers like this Doc, you'd have a live
town. She's no relation to"
Gus Van Tambel? Yes" nodded
Carpy, easily anticipative. Shes his
daughter-only daughter; only child. In
fact"
SAVOY swallowed again. well, I'll
say any man might be proud to claim
her. 1 used to work for your father.
Is he alive yet?"