Glacier County chief., 1939-07-14

q lung. 10 say Seno Tor a oOc-
tor" He bent again over the cow
boy. adding, "Ain't goin' to bleed
much and he's passed out in a
drunk. Get me some rags and I'll
FIX him up for the time bein'."
Louise went for them. Brock
strobe from the door, saying to
Cook, ''I'll tell Lone Tree to send
q surgeon"
; By this time word had gotten out
to the dancers, and he came at once
among knot of men beyond the
shanty.
"What happened, Ranger?"
"a gun went off," Breck replied.
Nothing serious"
who's hurt?"
He mumbled a name indistinctly
and passed on toward the telephone.
There he rang Lone Tree. order
{ ing the clerk to send up a doctor,
and to make certain of getting the
right man. told how badly Tillson
was shot.
When he turned from the phone,
Irene was standing at his back.
"Gordon!" she gasped. Her face
was blanched, eyes wide in a look Of
comprehension, as II she realized
her part in this. 81 heard, what you
said. Tell me tell me what
happened. Gordon. did you kill
="
He put q hand firmly on her Shout
der, turning her around. go back
70 your family, Irene. Don't fright
en- them. III come later"
But tell me -"
For Gods sake do as I sayl"
Back At the cabin he found Joe
Scott and Cook finishing the job Of
binding Tillson's wounds. Louise
was not there. Sierra slouched to-
ward him as he entered. "Pardner,
show me the barbecue pit, will you?
] amt ct since noon"
Outside he added less casually. II
want to talk Come on"
Fire had burned to Goals in the
pit, and only strings of beef were
left upon the bones hanging there.
/ Sierra took Oh a rack Of ribs while
Breck found cups and poured COT
fee They sat together on a log.
Breck drank his first cupful,
poured another, suddenly aware of
nerves beginning to let down.
seen Jud and Hep?" Sierra
asked.
They haven't been here all day."
How do you figure that?"
81 don't. Neither does Cook"
Sierra tore two ribs apart and
1eftly secured the meat between his
s-><l. <t.ox ar,ebad he eaid orayalv
what do you suppose Art was SASH
ayin' around alone for-actin' plumb
loco that way?"
''He was loco" Brock answered.
cover . girl. and that explains
lot. He went out of his head over
this girl I brought up. She made
q fool Of him and he came back at
me-"
Sierra nodded. That's about what
might a-knowed.
Brock said nothing. Through the
pines he saw figures moving again
about the dance fire. Voices were
lifted to Q higher pitch Of excite
ment. His eyes went to the cabin
where light showed in one window.
Presently Sierra expressed Breck's
own thought. well anyway" he
drawled, Fart won't cause US no
trouble for q long time"
Breck nodded. But there were
still the other two.
A breeze stirred the Goals into a
burst Of fame. Light added distance
to the circle of vision. Breck's gaze
moved up the slope behind him,
passing slowly through the black
free trunks. It halted upon one spot.
He stared. half-rising. then suddenly
caught Sierra's arm.
s'Sliml"
Sierra looked. A figure was COM
ing down toward them, stumbling.
one hand cropping as il in blindness.
Though the face was smudged and
rarity covered by long strings Of
hair. Breck recognized the boy from
~ Putholes.
sIfs Jack Weller" he said quiet
~ % Sierra. Something's wrong
I've soon that look-we mustn't
friGhaen him."
N boy approached with glazed
aUoo Starring 1t the ire His Jaw
- o1aek. Bloody scratches
s 61nlud through torn clothing. One
( - ou1s11etched IN front Of him
- u1nf he'd once been . barn
1n6asA Now there was LEFT only
vie I'LL
usock Gopo6 ~ slowly when he
~ ems Within . lev ~, blse H.
~ ~ epoak 1he olnssy eyes ret
- - I'm, moyo1 -. seyayed
49, - 0f1<~x ~ lmn<oru