The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1939-09-07

eu IllS IdIIlp dIlO WGuI W Illo VIII
dow; he stood there a long while
looking out at the dim bulk OF
the mountains under the stars.
Something was wrong ard he
knew it. 1t was no longer mere
uneasy suspicion but a positive
certainty. Il reckon no one will
hear me now" decided Barry,
and craWled cut through the WIN
doW, dropping noiselessly to the
ground.
He stepped softly through the
dark, making a guarded circle OF
the house to assure himself that
the rooms were all dark. He
reached the stable. Near the big
double doors was a bench under
tree. He sat down and waited.
He slid his hand down to the butt
of the new SiX-gun; he dOzed,
started wide awake and dOzed
again a dozen times before the
soft beat of Shod hoofs stiffened
him into alertness.
He saw the dark form of man
and horse coming on from be-
yond the stable, a single silhou-
cite dim against the mountain
flank.
The rider came down with a
subdued jingle of spurs at the
stable door; he was WhiStling
softly and didn't turn Barry'S
way. When he got the door open
and led the horse inside, Barry
rose quietly and followed
When the lantern at the har-
ness door was lighted and swung
up on a nail Barry saw that it
was Jesse Conroy.
Hello, Cousin jesse" he said
in a quiet voice.
Jesse ConrOy Whirled, as swift
as a cat, and crouched and whip
ped out the gun riding loosely in
its holster.
ooh, it's you, SundoWn" said
Jesse. His hand was lowered.
There was an irritable edge to
his voice: "Yuh made me jump
purity near out'n my boots, Cou-
sin Barry. Y'want to look out,
scarin' folks like that, Iess'n one
starts shootin' before he thinks. y
why should you start shoot
ing, Cousin Jesse?" asked Bar
Jesse laughed and at last slip
ped his gun back into its place.
want to sell that black horse
you left here last night, Cousin
Jesse?"
whats come over yuh? l
thought yuh didn't go in for hos
ses yuhse'f, likin' them long laigs
better
That's a real nice horse" said
Barry.
whats on yore mind, Cousin
Barry" said Jesse, and again mis-
voice was edged.
THAT saddle, toe" said Barry.
Il was looking at it this evening.
The fancy Mexico one. Where'd
you happen to get that saddle.
Cousin Jesse?"
Jesse answered in an off-hand
way, THAT saddle? It's one l
picked up down to Laredo one
time. Why"
"When?" asked Barry. "You
been down to Laredo since l
saw you? It's quite ways from
here"
Jesse's answer hung fire scarce
ly a noticeable instant. It's one
O. my OF saddles; I've had it two
three year"
you lie, Cousin JESSE" said
Barry steadily, and pulled his
six-gun out of its holster. THAT
was Tex Humphreys saddle; so
was that black Tex's: and you
killed my brother Robert to get
them both. Killed him like a dog
just for a horse and saddle. Now,
if you think you've got any more
killing to do"
A man standing close behind
Barry brought a Colt revolver
down brutally on Barry's head,
and the boy slumped down.
A commanding voice said:
"Pocket your gun, Laredo! And
put out that damned light. Quick
about it,"
I'm damned" muttered Jesse
Conroy. Slowly he obeyed both
orders. Then through the sudden
dark his voice came quietly,
whats the game this time,
Judge?"
$50 you killed young Haverirs
brother, did you? Just for a
horse and saddle!"
"Yuh're a fine one to talk" "
sneered Jesse. We'll, I'm not say
in whether l killed young Have
rilS brother or not, but I'd shore
shot young HaveriI daid if yuh
hadn't knocked him out the min