The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1941-09-11

advised the bartender.
ION account of me having the
smallpox" Larry inquired.
"Men from your outfit are not
welcome at Round Top" Hart
growled.
Richards recalled his Instructions.
He was posted here as guard, with
definite orders not to get into
fight. 1t would be better for him to
sing small, but not small enough to
encourage these men to jump him.
"I just dropped in for a last
chance drink on my way out of
town." he mentioned in placatory
voice. mo offense meant, gents.
didn't know there was deadline on
our riders here"
"Not exactly a deadline, Larry"
Hank polished vigorously. "But you
know how things are"
"Sure Sure"
Larry grinned down into his drink
and refrained from further ameni-
ties.
The swing doors opened, to let in
Slim.
DOG my cats! Where did you
drop from, Slim?"
Larry's expression of pleased sur
prise did credit to his ability as an
actor, considering the fact that the
arrival of the other Diamond Re-
verse B man was according to pro-
gram.
st been around" Slim said. "On
my way back to the range now. How
about you keeping me company"
st reckon I'll have to do that.
Never saw it fail. When a fellow
gets a bunch of nice friendly guys
someone comes along and drags
him away. Well, adios, gents! Been
nice to meet YOU"
Larry flashed a derisive smile at
the seven-up players and turned his
back to them.
The legs of a chair in the back
part of the room scraped against
the floor. Somebody was getting to
his feet hurriedly. Larry did not look
round. His guess was that he had
annoyed a seven-up player. He
heard Turley's voice order harshly,
"Sit down, Lee, you damn fool!"
Blandly he said to his friend,
"Yeah, I reckon we better be hit
tin the trail, Slim"
The cowboys sauntered out of the
Red Triangle, mounted the two
horses at the hitch-rack, and can
tered up the street. They caught ur
with the blackboard before it had
reached the cattle chutes by the
railroad tracks. From the driv.
er's seat Terry slanted an inquiring
| glance at Larry.
Everything all right" he asked
"Fine as silk"
"Do you always take a caval.
cade of armed riders with you tc
town." Powers wanted to know.
"Never before this trip" the fore,
man answered, with a dry smile
"This is an escort of honor for G
distinguished guest"
"To make sure he reaches the
ranch safely?"
"Well, yes. I didn't want him tt
get rustler's welcome"
The party ate lunch at the Boz
SIS restaurant. Terry introduced
Powers to Lane Carey and his
daughter.
"They don't approve of me or O
the ranch," he explained to tht
fastener. "But since you are onl,
the owner and not responsible TO
the way it is run, perhaps you vii
escape criticism"
Powers had come West to find on
all he could about local conditions
"Way don't you approve cf the Dia
mond Reverse B, Mr.. Carey?" hi
asked bluntly.
Il think I is one of the fines
ranches in the West" the cattlemar
answered. He was a little embar
rassed at their directness.
"But you don't like the way it L
managed"
Il don't think you can find in the
territory young man who can han
die stock better than Mr.. Terry"
Hes dodging," the foreman sale
to Ellen, a gleam of laughter in hi:
eyes. '.But it won't do him any
good. Mr.. Powers will keep ask
ing questions till he finds out wha
he wants to know"