The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-04

he was covered WIFI OuSL anu
sweat. Jane started. She saw a
pair of keen brown eyes inspecting
her from behind long dusty lashes.
She saw a familiar object in his
right hand, as he held it out to her
and heard his low words:
Lady, your bracelet"
ooh |" exclaimed Jane complete
ly surprised. THANK you'll"
He tried to fade away among his
boisterous following of uproarious
Circle Dot men. But not every one
was disposed to let him escape
easily. Harry Tension, who paid
the stake money over to SAVOY at
the Circle Dot quarters, insisted on
meeting the Texan. He was dagged,
reluctant, out of the sleeping tent
and shook hands slowly with the
Medicine Bend sport magnate.
where did you pick up that ciga-
rette trick?" demanded Tension. 81
never saw it done but once. That
was at Madison Square Garden"
'HoW long ago." asked the Wran-
gler.
"Two years ago last winter"
"It was done there that winter,
under stand" said the Texan evenly.
"Of cour, it was under artificial light
so they had to use white paper"
"You been in New York, them"
"Once or twice, sir"
you've seen it done, them"
81 have sir. And I'm mighty glad
met you," drawled the Texan, cut
ting the interview short. He was not
ungracious, but was somewhat IA
tigued.
rejoining Sawdy. II told him saw
that cigarette act done in Madison
Square Garden, two years ago. He
said he saw it at the same time. I
guess that's where he picked it up"
picked what up, the cigarette?"
"The act. He said they used a
white-paper cigarette there on ac-
count of the artificial light-so he
must have seen it,
"Who's they?" asked Sawdy
bluntly. e.
II suppose he meant the rider"
II wonder if he meant himself.
Why, Harry, he's the man that in
troduced that act at the garden, two
years ago last winter"
=
Two years later, back on her old
fathers ranch after two years in
Chicago, Jane was riding the posses
sions one day to be hers. Wandering
on her pony far in the Gunlock hills,
she had lost her way toward the
close of the day and had stopped to
ask directions rom man standing
at the door of poor-looking cabin.
"Why, isn't this Gunlock Ranch?"
"Not yet" The man answered the
question firmly, Jane thought.
''When I left the house this morn
ing" she said Indignantly, "they told
me could ride all day without get
ting off Gunlock Ranch. must have
ridden about hundred miles. What
did you mean by saying, not yet?
she asked suspiciously.
Bill Denison, before whose door
she had halted, looked at Jane with
curiosity. oh, nothing special" he
said casually. "Only, that old man
Van Tambel has stolen everything
in the hills except this ranch
At this outburst Jane first stopped
breathing she breathed furi-
ously. Her features hardened. 'Why,
how outrageous" she exclaimed.
''You ought to be ashamed of your
self"
The young man held his ground.
''Let me ask a question. Are you any
kin of old man Van Tambels?" he
asked composedly.
81 don't care to discuss that ques-
ton with you,' was her defiant re-
IT admit, if you are, I was kind of
rough, speaking as I did," he went
on. 81 didn't know he had any re-
lations. I worked for him a year
once, and I never heard him tell OF
any. So guess I have.to apologize"
II should think you would apollo
gize," declared Jane, scandalized.
'But," he countered, and the ''but"
was emphatic, "to tell you the truth,
lady, I can't take everything back.
You living over at the rancho" he
asked.
II live in Chicago"
"And you're lost?"
If l were not, l shouldn't be
here"
'Now no matter how you and I
may differ on some subjects" he
said, 'Pll start you on your way
home, providing you want me to.
Will you wait a minute while sad
die up?"
II won't wait a second. I'll find my
own way" So saying, Jane jerked
her horse around.
''Well, I like your spunk, anyway"
Tension called out to her, land I'll
catch you in a couple of minutes"
"You can stay right where you
are" she shot back. 81 don't want
you near me, anyhow
AS she rode away, Jane heard in
an incredibly short time the clatter
of hoofs beside her. She bristled in
side.
what are you chasing me for?"
she demanded as Tension rode up.
81 was afraid you'd fall off your
horse" he retorted dryly. "Now skip