White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1937-04-15
CHAPTER xI-continued
IL

0E&SA NhOAO ~ OSAOASo 7tAA0 yON
keep it there. Don't talk about eye.
sight unless you want it back.
Where the hell do l come in? What
am getting out Of this?" 1t was
battle between two strong Wills,
and it was long in the waging. But
when Carpy, wiping the sweat from
his forehead and, himself almost
unstrung, left Denison's side, his
patient had ridden out the storm
and had promised quiet till the two
could think of what might be done,
pledging in the interval mutual and
absolute secrecy.
Secrecy, however we'll pledged,
grows more difficult to control in
proportion to the number Of per-
sons pledged.
Carpy swore SAVOY and Lefever
to it very easily. McAlpin and Ben
Page were warned that if the story
leaked out, it might become un-
pleasant for both. AS for Bob Scott,
no one was ever known to worm a
secret out of him; Barney, of
course dared not talk.
Yet it will easily be understood
that too many people had the story;
and only the continual efforts of
Dl Carpy in silencing, through
. threats OF what might happen to
them, one or another Of the con-
spirators kept it under cover.
Jane, after the usual storm with
her father. who knew what she was
doing, rode next morning into town
to make her visit to the hospital.
Denlson was a poor actor. In his
endeavor to make Jane. feel there
had been nothing to upset him, he
was over solicitous. Carpy did
better; but he was compelled~ to adj,
NIT that Denison had not been do
ing quite 50 well-73since Jane could
see that for herself. ..
Her father continued taciturn and
aloof Jane knew she; was defying
him by continuing to visit Denison,
yet being Of much the same tena-
cious will as her father himself,
she reckoned little of it.
But her visits and ministrations
to the injured neighbor of Gunlock
Ranch became so frequent, and she
herself was so wholly Indifferent to
comment, that the situation be-
came food for local gossip. Here
was Van Tambe1 deadly enemy
of Denison's with his daughter
openly showing very special in
terest in Denison's condition at the
hospital carrying to him delica-
cies and spending with him half
her time in town. ':
Things were at this pass when
one day Van Tambel told his
daughter he must go to Medicine
Bend on some bank business. Jane
knew that he was not able to make
the trip-Carpy had told her more
than once that the old mans life
hung by a thread. She pleaded with
her father, found out what the bust
ness was. and offered to go in his
stead.
She took the morning train for
Medicine Bend, secured the further
time on his notes at the bank, spent
the night at the Mountain House,
and took the afternoon train west
for Sleepy Cat.
The Pullman cars were crowded.
Jane was forced to find a seat in a
day coach. Here she placed her
handbag in the seat beside her,
bought a magazine, and resigned
herself to a long afternoon and eve
ming.
Two men had taken the seat d.
rectly behind her. Jane resumed
her reading until in the converse
ton between the two men her at
tention was attracted by catching
the name of Bill Denison.
Her curiosity once aroused, 1t
was easy to follow the drift of their
talk. Presently she heard mention
a n L. -