The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-04-29

intently, not with any noticeable ex-
element. But SAVOY imagined he
could see Denison lighting up.
"Seein' you're not fixed up just
right yet, is there anything you'd
like us to do about it," Sawdy
asked.
"Why, yes, there is-just do one
thing"
whats that?"
''Keep your mouths shut till get
out of here. guess you both know
I've got long score to settle with
that bird. He was mixed up in burn
! ing up my ranch house and burning
me up. I'll attend to McCrossen my
self some day." he repeated slowly
Sin my own way
The two men left the hospital
somewhat uneasy. They laid their
story before Carpy.
The doctor heard it unmoved
Well" he commented, ''that's not
the first bunch of steers McCrossen
has stolen-and it won't be the last. "
mot the first" interjected Lefev-
er. 'But it's the closest anybody ev-
er came to nailin' it on him."
anyway, I don't think he should
be left there to rob the girl right
along" added Carpy.
"Are you goin' to tell her?" asked
Lefever.
Il am; today. She's coming to
town and will be in to see me-"
They told him of their talk with
Denison. 1T left us leery, Doc" said
SAVOY. eff Bill get" worked up too
strong over McCrossen, he's liable
to bust out on McCrossen before his
eyes are in shape to give him an
even break"
Doctor Carpy waved his hand.
Keep your worry for something
else, Sawdy. His eyes got scorched;
but when I let 60 of the boy, keep
away from the small end of his
gun"
Jane, you'll think I don't bring
you anything but troublesome
news" the doctor began. "But this
ISN'T really news. I've known for
rnonths-two or three years, in fact
that McCrossen was stealing Gun
lock steers. But this is what John
Lefever brought up from Thief Riv-
or today. -.
Nov, there's nothing to get ex-
cited about" observed Carpy, after
he had finished the story, 'for it's
nothing new. But if I were you
would get rid of McCrossen."
The expression on James face re-
Elected her perplexity. ''That's easy
o say, doctor, but it's going to be
lwfully hard to do. 1 want to be rid
of McCrossen, heaven knows-for
more reasons than one"
She was glad, when she got home
shat night, that her foreman was
way; it gave her night to think
t over. In the morning he was over
Early with a report from the pas
,ures and much pep in his manner.
Calmly she told him she would
have to dispense with his services
With a face as black as Gunlock
Knob, McCrossen rose slowly from
The chair in which he had been fac
ing Jane.
$50 you're firm me?" Looking at
Yer coldly and searchingly, he spoke
tensely and harshly.
1--WE got to cut down expenses,
Dave" she said. CT"
Before she could speak, he ran on:
Folks don't naturally fire an old
and like me, your fathers friend,
without giving a reason, do they?
What are you turnin' me out for?"
"Dave," she said suddenly, you
have always been paid well-where
does all your money go? Who do
you have to run steers off the ranch
at night?'
go" he exclaimed savagely, "a
Few head of steers that belong to me
by rights anyway are stickin' in
your crop, Ell? Do you know your
own dad was the biggest cattle thief
N this whole country?"
Jan stamped her foot. cts not
SOL"
did you know he made a thief
out of me? The first calves I ever
stole in my life, stole for Gus Van
Tambel. Doesn't look very nice for
you to talk to me about stealth cat
tle," he exclaimed scornfully, "the
daughter of man that stole all he's
got"
Dave" she protested, angrily,
stop that talk. If my father owed
you anything, I'll pay it."
He laughed. Cali right, kiss an
make up" He stepped toward her.
She sprang to her feet. "Dave, T.
''Why, girl, don't you know love
your" He spoke with a queer laugh
and, darling forward, caught her
| While she struggled. he rained