Evening star., 1941-06-13

fury The rain pelted her face. the
wind tore at her hair. The tired
horses plodded on in the slippery,
sluShy mud. their heads bent to the
driving rain. The last part of the
trip seemed endless.
There was no hoSpitable light in
the ranch house as they approached.
You get out and change into
some dry clothes. Allison" Rich
ard said. III go on to the corral
and unload this stuff before any
more water soaks in. Ill be back as
soon as finish"
Allison nodded and jumped down.
She ran across the patio and pushed
open the living room door.
"Oh, Ling, we're back" she called.
Nothing but hollow echoes an
sWered her. Puzzled. she started
for the kitchen, leaving a watery
trail behind her. Ling's usually
busy domain was deserted. Un-
washed dishes filled the sink. Half
cooked vegetables had been set on
the back of the stove. The fire had
SOIie OuI IOHS ago.
Allison stopped only long enough
to grab a heavy coat and scarf TO
tie over her wet hair to keep it out
of her eyes and rushed toward the
Office. 1t was deserted. too. She
pounded loudly on Johns door. in
stinctively knowing there would be
no answer Blind panic seized her
as she headed for the bunkhouse.
Yes, there was a light there in
the back. She pushed open the
heavy door and stood blinking in
the Pickering light as her eyes fell
upon the figure of Ling crouched
by one of the hunks.
Shorty Is Shot.
Ling, what has happened? Who
is hurt?"
Mist Shorty, MiSsie, him velly
bad hurt. Him not know Ling for
long time, since first come
Shortly" His little leathery face
looked even smaller in the uncer-
tain light Of the bunk. She clutched
Ling by the shoulder.
"Quick-tell me what happened.
Where is every one How long has
he been like this?"
Mist Shorty come in one. mebbe
two Him bad shot up. Him and
Mist John leave early morning and
him come back for help for Mist
John. Everybody ride for water hill
quick away"
Rocky Knoll? Is that where
they've gomez"
His head bobbed in the affrma-
tive
They took guns? Lots of guns?"
Again his head bobbed.
With skilled and tender fingers
she was examining Shorty's wounds.
Good work, Ling. You probably
saved his life" She was wrapping
the scarf tightly around her head
and rebuttoning her coat. stay here
with him Ling. I'll be back"
"Oh, no, MisSie. you no go"
But she was outside running for the
corral before he finished
Richard looked up in surprise
when she came dashing in.
Richard, help me saddle Lindy
Lou" Allison said. Something's
awfully wrong. There's trouble at
Rocky Knoll and I've got to find out
what it is" Automatically he was
helping her saddle the horse. She
continued jerkily. "Shorty's shot
and Ling's with him Every one else
hoe oooo m raco,1o IoJoo Tbot'c oil
know"
And you're going to Rocky
Knoll?' He gripped her shoulders
as if to awaken her from a bad
dream. Surely you aren't planning
to ride up there alone?"
She pushed his hands impatiently
from her shoulders. TT isn't the
first time I've seen gunplay. This
is cattle country-not New York"
His face flushed at that "All right,
but I'm going with you" He ran>to
Fleets stall and pulled the bride
off the hook How about guns?"
he called. I'VE may need them our
selves"
I'D already thought of that"
Allison SAID. Ill get tnem while
you finish saddling Fleet. I'll meet
you back of the bunkhouse. Here's
an oilskin for you-it may be some
protection" She grabbed one from
the wall and tossed it in his direc-
ton, then pulled one on herself.
He was ready and waiting when
she got back. Protecting a pair of
reviewers as best she could with the
corner of her oilskin, she handed
them over to him. He tucked them
in his belt and they urged their
horses into the darkness of the
night.
Copyright 1941, Chicago Daily News, Inc)
Continued tomorrow
Allison reaches her goal.