The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-03-25

41lSIO > O1l1y OI1S way W nCCp AI1S
from marrying that goodfor-noth-
ing Bill Denison-that's to kill me
and make me into dust-even then,
I'd tremble under his feet. would
just to annoy him."
Her tongue was light and happy
when she said good-by, but her
heart was dread with fear. She rode
straight to Carpy's office; luckily
she found him in.
Doctor! I'm so worried about Mr..
Denison-"
$50 am l."
"You know what happened?"
"Said he got trapped in the ranch
house fire"
eyes, but it was trying to save my
life when his eyes first got hurt"
"Never said a blamed word about
that"
81 was up on Gunlock Knob, and
he rode up to get me through the
fire Doctor" she asked, unsteadily,
cant you save his eyes?"
"Jane, my girl, give me another
two weeks. If I thought anybody,
anywhere, would do anything more
than I'm doing, I'd put him on the
cars tonight It's time, Jane, time"
If Jane expected to get much in
formation about the Denison fire at
home, she was disappointed. When
she reported it to her father, he was
silent-professing still to feel out
ragged at her INSTRUMENTATION. Nc
Crossen was more communicative,
even sympathetic; but he knew little
about the fire.
After a painful night, Jane rose
early to 60 again into town. In the
yard she encountered McCrossen.
"Ridin' out?" he asked.
81 am"
''Ill saddle up for you"
''Have the horses been fed?"
yep"
ell saddle up myself"
"Your father rode over to the pas
lures with Page this mornin'," vol
unteered McCrossen, walking along
side Jane. She made no answer; in
deed, she rather quickened her pace;
her companion stepping up his own.
"Your father left word was to
ride out with you, if you went off
the ranch"
81 don't need anybody to ride out
with me-"
81 don't care rap what the old
man says. I'll ride out with you if
you want me. If you don't, say So"
81 don't"
20. K"
Jane undertook to mount.
Look here, girlie!" said McCros-
sen suddenly. "Why don't you like
me?" Without further preface than
laugh he caught her in his arms.
CPL do anythin' to please you"
Jane, struggling angrily, stood
pinned. He laughed immoderately
at her efforts to tear herself away.
She rained blows on him with her
fists. LET me go!" she painted. II
hate YOU"
Still laughing, he tried to talk
down her anger. She got away from
him. Hate me as much as you like,
jamie, but I'm goin' to have you. I'll
kill any man that tries to take you
away from me-" he continued coolly.
Painting, and furious with anger
and fear, she got into her hand the
riding whip dangling from her wrist
and dashed him across the face and
head.
AS she dashed away, McCrossen
drew paper and tobacco from his
pocket, rolled cigarette, and lick
ing the papers edge as he looked
after Jane riding toward Denison's
ranch, struck a match, lighted up,
and started for the clubhouse.
Jane, her heart beating tumultu-
ously, galloped swiftly along the
trail, completely upset by McCros-
sens bullying and the worry in her
breast.
Instead of heading first for town,
she rode over to Denison's ranch.
The sight of the ranch-house ruins
was shock, even though she tried
to steel herself against it. A man
down near the corral was leading
one of Denison'S horses to the barn.
care you Ben Pager" asked Jane
abruptly.
''Yes'm."
"How did this happen, Benz" she
asked sympathetically.
"You tell" he returned sullenly.
''Tell me all about it, Ben. I'm from
Gunlock and a friend of Bills"
He regarded her with suspicion.
'Must be the only one he's got over
there" he growled.
Jane swallowed. 81 hope it isn't as
bad as that" she exclaimed. what
caused this dreadful fire, Benz"
"How the hell should know"
"Don't know what caused the fire,
Ell? Well, you ought to at least know