The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1938-05-19

smoke-house for a slab VI bacon"
You'll have to take some heavier
clothes. both Of you," Norris men,
toned, accepting the explanation
without question. Go to yore room
and pick them. III drift along with
you"
She shivered. I'm have my IA
Their give you anything you like if
you'll 60 now with your friend. I'll
see he does not pursue you"
THAT fellow can't give me any
thing" he cried. with a furious oath.
TN do the giving when we meta
bullet through the heart Get up
and shove along to yore room for
the clothes-unless you want to 60
as you are"
He dragged Ruth to her feet and
pushed the girl in front Of him from
the room.
Kansas backed out of the house
and bowlegged his way to the sta
BILE. He took the same ropes he had
used for the other horses and went
to the corral. No expert. it took
him several minutes to catch two
ponies. His churning thoughts were
full Of hatred as he threw. missed,
and gathered the rope again. He
despised himself for taking this ly-
ing down.
Hate Of Norris seethed in him. He
made up his mind. as soon as he
was out Of this Jam. to cut loose
from the Tail Holt bunch and 20
back to Texas.
Kansas led the roped horses back
to the stable and saddled. His gaze
swept the road along which CHS.
wick's msz must approach the
ranch. If it came to a showdown
he could jump a bronc and light out,
leaving Norris to play his hand
alone.
He heard a sound Of something
moving at the hitchrack on the 9TH
er side of the stable. 1t might be a
horse stirring - OF it might not.
Stealthily he moved through the sta
BILE to the door and looked out. his
revolver was in the open. ready for
action.
What he saw surprised him. The
girl Nelly was pulling the slipknot
that tied one Of the animals to the
rack. Kansas moved toward her.
where you going?" he demand
ed.
Nelly gave a little cry Of fear,
staring at him, her fingers flying to
her open mouth.
"T-I-please let me 60. Mister"
she walled.
To Kansas came a thought. He
was a stupid man. and his mind
usually worked slowly. But his
safety was at stake. He had to look
after himself or TINS crazy fool Nor
ris would lead him into trouble from
which there was no escape.
His furtive glance swept to the
house. No sign of Morg. who was
probably busy inside with getting
the food ready.
Kansas stepped closer. Instinc.
lively he lowered his voice. though
he knew nobody could hear him.
Girl, I'll let you CO." he said.
Fork that bronc and light out. Keep
going till you reach Chiswick and
his posse. Tell Lee Kansas helped
you get away. Tell him III be with
his daughter and Norris watching
over her all the time. Tell him I'm
against this thing every way from
the ace, but Morg is bent on having
his way. His idea now is to hole up
in the old Walsh cabin back of Crow
foot. Don't forget the name. girl. 1t
IS Kansas. III be doing all I can
every minute for Miss Chiswick.
Don't forget that too"
II won't forget" she promised
breathlessl sly.
"All right. Light a shuck and go
like the heel flies were pesterin'
you" He added: IN have to make
a play at shooting at you"
Nelly pulled herself to the saddle
and was off. gathering the horse to
a gallop in a few jumps. Kansas
fred in the air twice. He ran to-
ward the house shouting at the man
inside it.
Norris ran out to the porch. gun in
hand.
She's gone!" Kansas screamed.
Jumped n of the horses while l
was coming back from the corral. I
took a crack at her and missed"
The killer looked at the horse and
rider diminishing in the distance.
"Suits me fine" he said. Il didn't
much want her along anyhow. But
we'll have to get going muy pronto.
Finish saddling and bring the horses
to the house. Well pack the grub
on there"
He went back into the house and
into the bedroom where he had left
Ruth a few moments before. The
man moved noiselessly. He was of
the tiger-cat breed. All his motions
we're smooth and rhythmic. as if he
trod on padded feet.
CURLY, he snapped at her. "You