Evening star., 1940-04-24
Rufe Glad to Move.

hulc OldU 10 Move.
Mrs. Russell led the way upstairs
to a bedroom that Anne liked at once
the rag carpet, the chintz curtains
and the big, comfortable armchair
gave it honey look. And it was
Immediately clean. Mrs. Russell
called to a man and asked him to
send Rufe up.
The attractive young cowboy pre-
sented himself with a wide grin.
AS soon as he knew why he had been
called he offered to vacate immedi-
ately. Girls as pretty as Anne did
not come his way often, though he
would have given up the room to
any woman who needed it.
I'll take my war bag out right
now and have yore grips sent over
from the stage Office" he told her.
She thanked him. A smile in her
soft eyes reminded Rufe of wood
pansies and gave him ideas about
his future.
He was back in record time with
her bags. The trunk would be
over later, he promised. Anne
bathed and changed, in time to
make a late appearance at the
supper table. She was a little dis
mayed to observe that though the
long table was filled the occupants
were all men,.
Anne sat between Mrs. Russell
and Rufe Jelks. Most of those at
the table were brown, boyish cow
boys in from the range for a day
or two. An exception was the man
sitting opposite her, who wore we'll
made city clothes and had a cold,
lmpassive face, almost colorless.
Anne caught his name as Kroelling
when he was introduced.
Entrance Hats Talk.
The girl was aware that her en-
trance had put a damper on the
conversation. They had been talk
ing about the shooting on Main
street. 1t was the big news of the
day and might be the precursor of
even more important DEVELOPMENTS.
but out Of difference to the Young
lady they did not want to discuss
IL IN her presence. She had been a
witness and her nerves might be
unstrung.
Only Kroelling and Rufe Jelks
helped Mrs. Russell and Anne carry
the talk. The professional gambler
asked the newcomer how she liked
the town.
How could she like it when she
hadn't been here three minutes be-
fore there was gun trouble right
before her eyes?" Mrs. Russell asked
severely. Such goings on ought
to be stopped, if we expect decent
people to stay here"
That's right, ma m Sure
Y'betcha."
The chorus of approval was unan-
lmous. But the landlady was not
deceived as to its value.
Every last one of you carries a
gun all the time," she snapped.
Not IN town, Ma" protested the
black-haired puncher whom Anne
had dispossessed, with the manner
OF one who has been most unjustlv
accused. II done parked mine at
the Trivoli when I blew in, Course
I got to have one for rattlers out
side" WV
Mrs. Russell looked at him sharplv
over her glasses. "Rufe Jelks, you're
not loading me any. I've known
you since you were knee-high to a
duck. You and your side partner.
Jim Silcott, are a pair of the widest
cootS In this territory"
Rufe looked as innocent as a
choir boy. We've reformed, ma am.
NOW we've grown up we've put away
childish things"
Doubt Is Eloquent.
The landlady's grunt was eloquent
Of doubt.
Talk died down again, except for
undertones among the men. Topics
that would include Miss Eliot were
Few. They could not ask her where
she came from nor what she was
doing in this raw town, nor how
long she expected to stay. For the
nrst article in the unwritten book
OF manners of the old West was
mat a stranger must not be asked
personal questions. Too manv re-
sidents had come out one jump
ahead of the law.
After supper Anne asked Mrs
Russell where the Office of the
Powder Horn Sentinel" was. ard
like to walk down there this even
ing" she added.
"1ll get some one TO show you