The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1938-06-02

""Ihat'S a . .-sslOn OF tallure,'
Ruth said. i've noticed it often in
horse-breakers. The poorer ones,
those not in the front rank, lose
patience and get vicious with the
colts; but top hands keep their
heads and break the animals wise
ly. From what I've heard about
you, I'd think you we're a top hand,
one who would use his brains with
horses-and women too"
Her words stung him. Il didn't
say you had to keep quitting after
they learn to answer their masters
voice. l make 'em know who is in
the saddle"
Brute force is M way" Ruth
agreed. a touch of contempt in her
voice. II suppose It's good enough
for those who don't know a better
one How far are we going
tonight?"
"We're going to the Walsh cab
in." he said sulkily. MAYBE we'll
keep going from there. Haven't
made up my mind"
They moved along the brow of a
hill. dipped into a canyon, and
climbed its rocky bed to a ledge
from which they looked down into a
small park not more than an eighth
Of a mile across from one lip to the
opposite one. A log cabin stood
about a stones throw below them.
Back Of it was a mountain corral.
At present the place looked desert
ed.
The horses picked a way down
along a slope Of rubble: In front Of
the cabin Norris drew up.
He called to Kansas. We'll throw
off here awhile"
What you mean awhile?" Kan
sas asked. Aren't we camping
here tonight"
The suggestion Of opposition was
enough for Norris. NO., he
snapped.
why not?' the other man per-
sisted. Were Ire holed up mighty
good here"
because I say so. That reason
enough for your"
Were in this together. amt
WEI" Kansas grumbled. You act
like I'm some dirty Mexican shep-
herder."
"You trying to pick on me. fell
low" Norris demanded. his mouth
an ugly slit.
Nothing like that. Morg. Seemed
to me this was a good place to
roost. Good feed for the horses.
Filled with absentees. as you might
say. III bet outside Of some of
our crowd there aren't half a dozen
folks in the world know about this
place. Nobody would find us in a
thousand years. No. sir. What's
the idea in moving on?"
kinda like this place, Kansas,
don't your" the other outlaw asked
with silky suavity.
Looks all right to me-" Kansas
said stubbornly. He added hastily,
reading suspicion in the narrowed
eyes Of his companion, But hell!
I don't care where we camp"
Maybe we could agree for you
to stay here and for us to go on"
suggested Norris significantly.
What you mean, Morg? Course
I'll 60 on if you do"
you're so fond of me you'd hate
to split up" Norris jeered. He
turned to Ruth. Zone of these
friends you were talking about, the
kind that stick closer than a BROTH
err"
Whats eatin' you, Morg?" asked
Kansas unhappily. II didn't aim to
say a thing to annoy you" With the
sleeve of his shirt he brushed away
tiny beads of perspiration from his
forehead. For the moment the heart
Of the man died under his ribs.
The look in the eyes Of the killer
had been venomous. Could he have
discovered in any possible way that
Kansas had told Nelly where they
would camp?
Norris watched the wretched man.
And Ruth watched first one and then
the other.
mo. you wouldn't annoy me, Kan
sas," said Norris, low and soft.
You'd be for me every way from
the ace. wouldn't your"
Yes" Kansas pleaded, his voice
parched and dry. II sure would,
Morg."
You wouldn't want me to stay
here where nobody could find us in
a thousand years. would your"
grinned the killer.
mot if you didn't want to stay"
Good old Kansas, faithful as Old
Dog Tray" jeered the other.
"You-you got me wrong, Morg,"
burst out Kansas.
maybe So" Norris continued to
smile, the knocking grin on his face
something dreadful to see. well,
I'm going to the spring to fix up
this scratch On my arm while you
usaddle and picket"
Ruth offered timidly to dress and
tie up the wound. She did not want
to do 1t, for there was something
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