The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-21
Bentley Gets His Canyon Gate

he come from7" Larry interrupt.
ed, trying TO conceal too great an
interest In the Hayhook's neigh
Dor.
"Claims TO be part Spanish, but
he can't talk II and he don't act IT,"
Barnes answered. Look more
TO me like one Of these movie
gangSters trying 10 pose as some.
body. Id trust q rattlesnake twice
as far as him.
Game up from the southwest
about four years ago. Bought the
old Clrcle-Cross and set UP as n
gentleman rancher. Raises polo
ponies, fine horses. Runs about 200
head OF good cows-fancy stuff.
Hes got about 20 hands work.
Ing up there and only Ave or six
OF them know what COW brand
Is Has plenty OF money,
though. Flies his own airplane."
"Hc doeS2 Where does he
land2"
Bentley got a field all laid
out with lights and everything,
Just like regular airport, about
half a mile from his house. Keeps
airplane IN big barn he had built
for IT,"
Must do q lot Of night flying
II he's spent all that money for
lights" Larry commented.
Guess he does" Barnes agreed.
Hes always going off on hunting
trips. down into Mexico. Runs up
10 81. Louis and Chicago 10 see q
show now and then. Oh, Bentley
puts cattle raising on q gentle.
mans basis" Barnes laughed, Bit
tcrly.
II don't like him marrying Miss
Monnle. either She's TOO good for
n guy Ike that. But he seems TO
be the number ono man ever since
that accident"
what aecident2" Larry almost
shouted the question.
Barnes paused long enough 10
roll and light cigarct before re-
plying, "Thc last one she had.
She hit n COW, on the highway.
Wrecked her car, almost killed her.
Bentley rushed her 10 the hoSpi.
tal claims he saved her life
Well, guess better 20 see the old
man about that gate. Want 10
come along2"
They found the Colonel on the
porch, Bentley lounged on u swing.
Monica, her dark beauty accentu-
ated by severely plain, white knit
ted suit, sat between the men. The
Colonel rose at Barnes boot sound
cd on the steps.
"oh, hello Pete. Glad you came
up. SIT down" Barnes dropped
Into u chair beside the Colonel.
Larry remained In the back.
ground, leaning against post.
Mike -- Mr., Bentley =- has been
telling me about that canyon
fence" the old cowman began
HE wants a gate put In there
Guess we'll have 10 do II. Got
TO keep on good terms with our
neighborS," he laughed, embar-
raised aS n child before his fore
man.
"okay, Colonel. III have Larry
put the gate In tomorrow" Barnes
agreed, Larry saw Bentley smile
ut the foreman.
II told your man that Colonel
Miles would want O gate" Bentley
put In, but he didn't seem 10
think knew what was talking
about. You'd have saved yourself
some work, II you had listened 10
me. cowboy" he added, glancine
ut Larry.
"Hayhook hands still get their
orders from me, Bentley" Barnes
said shortly. II was evident that
the foreman had little love for his
neighbor.
I'm not 80 sure you want q
gate there anyway, Colonel"
Barnes continued. "rhat canyon
leads right down from the high
way into the big pasture. II these
truck rustlerS get TO operating
again, TIL be easy for them 10 get
In there and take the pick OF the
calves. Better keep that fence
like II is"
"RustlerSp" Bentley laughed,
You've been seeing too many
Barnes"
And you'll have every wheat
farmer on the plains driving
through there 10 the railroad
come harvest" Barnes went on,
Ignoring the interruption. Just
rs well build road and mark IT,"
Bentley jumped 10 his feet,
glarcd down at the foreman.
Listen, Barnes, I'm going 10 drive
through there when ship this
TALL II ! have to pull your posts
out OF the ground"
I'D like TO catch you, or any
Of your men, pulling a post or
cven letting down q WIRE" Barnes
voice was low and calm, but his
words carried the sting OF q slap
On the face.
Here, you two, don't fight over
an old gate" Monnic broke In.
If Mike wants gate, put II there.