The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1938-08-25

roWful1y.
He'd been alive if he had obeyed
ORDERS" Dan Brand said. You got
to look at this right, Lee. We told
him not to open the door unless he
was sure who was there. I reckon
he was reused from sleep and didn't
stop to use his head"
Ruth stood behind her father, her
gaze fixed on the still figure of the
:owpuncher. who did it," she
asked in a low voice.
That devil Morg Norris" an
swered Lee, his face set and rigid.
Il recognized him when he rode up
70 the porch to take a crack a t me-"
The girl s%huddered. The thought
stabbed her that she was RESPONSE
BILE for the death of Buck Conrad.
If she hadn't interfered with the aim
of Jeff Gray. he would have put an
end to the killer.
mo use trying to follow him in
the dark" her brother Frank said.
IF we got close he'd take to the
brush"
They'll likely head for Tail Holt
to get Lou Howard home" Brand
guessed.
The eyes of Ruth grew wide with
horror. The para!yz!ng convictions
had come to her that jeff Gray
would not know until too late tina,
the prisoner at the L c had es.
capped. He would carry On under
the impression that he had a hos,
tage in the camp of his friends.
that Sherman Howard dare not
move to his destruction.
She cried out her fear to her ia.
Their.
For a moment he stared at her.
letting her warning sink into his
mind. You're right. GIRL he an
swered. Il don't know how he is
playin' his hand. but we've got to
let him know there's nothing to keep
Sherm from him now"
Lee gave curt orders. Get the
boys together. Dan. See they're
armed. Frank. you and Tony run
up mounts. Well take off with
what men we have. Round up the
men at the line-camps. Bob. and
bring them to Tail Holt. This looks
like war. and we may need all the
help we can get"
Five minutes later. Ruth walked
into her fathers office and found
him examining guns and amn>uni-
ton.
What are you going to do with
me and Nelly?" she asked.
He looked at her. startled at the
problem posed. by jinks. Ruth. l
hadn't thought of that. Can't leave
you here alone. Once was too often.
And l can't spare any men to guard
you. We're short-handed now. Only
five of US"
There's only n thing to do with
u.s." his daughter said. Take us
to Tail Holt and leave US at Ma
Presnalls'. Well be safe there.
You'll have US under your eye all
the time"
"All right" Lee assented. TN
take you with me-both of you. I
wouldn't if l could help it. but
there's nothing els to do. as you
say. You and Nelly fix up your
war-bags. We may be there two
three days. While we're at Tail
Holt you'll stay right in the house
every minute. Underestimate"
Ruth said she understood.
They took the road two hours aft
er midnight.
Steadily they rode. through a
lovely night of stars that softened
the harsh and d]esiccated face of
Arizona to a strange. ghostly love-
Illness. Even the %sahuaros. with
their intimation of age-old decay,
were like magnificent candelabra
waiting to be lit. Peace reigned
over the land.
Jeff Gray was a light sleeper.
Awakened by the furious barking of
the blacksmith's dog, almost in
stantly he was out of the bunk and
at the window. Silhouetted in the
moonlight on the brow of the little
hill in front Of the cabin were a
number of men. They were NOV
ing toward the cabin. The marshal
counted eight of them.
He called to his companions:
wake up. Hank. and come here"
Ransom struggled to conscious
ness. Lord love We. man. what
are We doing at the Window" he
asked.