Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-03-07
~ MlfN JoPnNC MILLER

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some cold water. The stock isn't
gone, Mother. It's safe. I took il. !"
Virgie sank Imply into the old
chair that had been David's.
"You took it,"
Il took il over to the courthouse.
To be registered. Tom signed it
over to me-a week ago. It's mine.
He couldn't give it to anyone else
because he has already signed it
over to me. He was going to leave
it to me-in his will. He told me
so. And I saw the will. He left it
here with Lucy that day-when he
went up to Hazel Fork. Tom wanted
me to have it. So-the last time I
went to the Jail, he was worrying
about it. And-I wanted that stock.
Mother-I'm ashamed to tell you
why l wanted it. I wanted to con-
troll the mill. I wanted to make you
fire Branford Wills-and now-I'm
ashamed! But-the stock is safe.
They can't touch it,
Virgie's hands fell Imply. "Pick
up that mess" she muttered, sag
ging back in her chair. 81 give up"
'Here-drink this"
"I'm all right. It's just-too much
has been happening behind my back.
Even you"
Il told you was ashamed. But
anyway, we saved Toms stock.
Maybe we can beat them yet"
Virgie looked numbly at her child.
David's child-with her finely cut
profile, her dark eyes and resolute
mouth. Gallant and splendid-and
indomitable. Like David.
"So-you own the MILL" she said.
"Are you angry, Mother?"
II don't know. 1t was shrewd
thing to do. Your father would have
thought Of it. I-seem not to think
of things-soon enough"
You're wonderful, Mother. I
don't want to run the mill. I
couldn't. I'm not wise enough or
strong enough"
Il seem not to be wise, either.
Lock the safe, Baby hose men will
be back"
They're coming now. 1t looks
like an army"
No one noticed Lucy, coming in at
the back door, because SO many peo-
pie were entering by the front way.
Lucy's eyes were blazing and
little wild. Her chin had a logged
angle, and scarlet coins burned in
her cheeks. She looked younger,
lighter, aglow with a sort of fan
tastic triumph, almost defiant. She
pulled out her chair, then waited as
the odd procession filed in.
"Mr. Payne" the lawyer intro
duced the newcomers, land Mr..
Hooper. And this officer, I suppose,
you know"
The shambling constable, looking
awkward and on fire with curiosity
jerked at his hat and said, ''Howdy,
Mis- Morgan"
Hello. Ed" greeted virgie. "You
travel in poor company"
This here is somethin' l got to
do" funbled Ed. II amt so set on
it-but you know how things is
Go ahead" ordered Virgie,
CURLY.
Ed rummaged out his paper. Wal
lace Withers pulled out his heavy
old watch and ran his thumb over
the crystal, thudded it back again.
Lucy's eyes were big and anxious
Only Marian stood calm, smiling a
one-sided smile.
II got an order here" began Ed,
"for some stock-belongs to Tom
Pruitt-''
Go on and serve the paper"
snapped Withers, II got to get home.
It's most time to milk"
Don't bother, Ed" Virgie said,
81 know what's in that paper. 1t
won't do you any good to read it to
me. These gentlemen-and their at
torney-are very astute. They know
exactly what they are doing. You
investigated the ownership of this
stock, I suppose, gentlemen"
Certainly" snapped the man
Payne.
you're just stalling, virgie-and
it won't do you bit of good"
"I'm not trying to do myself any
good, Wallace. I'm doing you good.
You got that order by fraud-and I
can prove it. That might not sound
SO well in court"
1--WE got it square-Pruitt knew
what he was doing. He knew he
was signing away his stock-he had
to save himself"
Sounds funny" virgie's voice
drawled. I've known Tom q long
time. He was q shrewd old noun
tain man. He knew what he was
doing most Of the time-except when
he lost his head because he was be-
ing robbed. It's hard to believe
he'd sign an order to deliver that
stock to you-yesterday. that was?
when he had already transferred
it-a week agol"
81 don't believe i'll" barked With
ers.
1.-The transfer II recorded. You
can see the record At the court
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