The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-11-07

wait and ride back with him.
It relieved Ellen to know that her
father would not travel alone in case
he did not find JEFF.
''You viii be careful, WON'T your"
she said, standing at the stirrup aft
er he had swung to the saddle. "And
put that slicker on. IT'S still raining
q little"
Lane laughed. "This girl Of mine
bosses me like she was my wife,
Slim. I reckon you would call me
henpecked."
Ellen smiled at the young fellow.
"Will you tell Mr.. Terry that I'm
loaning him my father on condition
that he Is returned safe and sound
under escort?"
"Nonsensel" her father demurred
promptly. 1--WE looked after myself
quite spell unassisted, and I ex-
pect I'll make out to do 1t for q
while yet"
"But you'll tell him just the same,
won't you, Slim?"
II sure will, Miss Ellen" It oc-
Cured to Slim that it might be a
good idea to leave the impression
with the boss that she had asked
him personally to come back with
Lane. 81
The two men vanished at road
gait into the darkness.
"We're going to pick up JEFF
Brand" explained Carey. Hes up
at Roam Affords place. Been gen.
Ting some horses for Roam"
Slim, astonished, looked at his
companion. ibid Terry say for us
to get jeff"
''That's what he said." There was
q gleam Of satiric humor in the old
er mans eye. .'Maybe the lion and
the lamb are going to lie down to-
gether."
would you tell me which one is
the lamb, please?" Slim asked,
chuckling.
maybe I'd better have said the
lion and the tiger"
What's up, Mr.. Carey? could
see by the way the boss talked that
1t is something serious"
sit is" Lane answered. IT can't
tell you more than that because Ter
ry asked me not to talk. But you'll
know right soon.''
Brand had gone to bed in the little
clubhouse and was sound asleep
when the two riders arrived. Carey
was careful to call from a distance
before knocking on the door.
Hello the housed" he shouted.
After he had repeated the call
several times a voice answered
sleepily. who's there?"
Lane Carey. I want to talk with
JEFF Brand"
After Brand had pulled on his
trousers and boots he walked out to
meet the man from Black Butte.
Didn't know you'd taken to night
riding, Lane" he drawled. Honest,
I'm wore out busting Roan's bron-
cos. Even II you are raiding the
Diamond Reverse B range I'll have
to beg off tonight"
Have your little joke, jeff" Car
ey answered. "But that's exactly
where I'm going--to the Diamond
Reverse Band I'm taking you
along"
The friendly derision went out of
the rustler's face as a light does
from snuffed candle. whats in
yore mind?" he asked.
Carey took from his pocket the
letter received from Terry and
handed it to the other. "Read that"
JEFF read. s~ 49,
what in Mexico does he want
with me there?" Brand asked. II
don't get 1t. The thing doesn't make
sense"
II don't know what he wants, but
I've got sort of notion. He wants
us to hear his story and look the
ground over with him. My opinion
is, and you can take it for what
it's worth, that Cal hasn't had a
thing to do with these killings.
Naturally, If that's so, he would like
to clear himself from blame"
"And If it isn't so, he'd like to
whitewash himself just the same"
JEFF jeered.
That's so. He would. But say
he could convince US Of his inno-
cense in this case. We would be
two pretty good witnesses in his IA
vor. I'm supposed to be neu-
trail, and you are strong for the small
man."
mr.. Terry wouldn't put il just
that way about me-" the outlaw said.
He'd 60 quite considerable strong
err"
Anyway, I'm convinced he's not
setting trap to get you. But II
you think so Of course you had bet
ter not"
HE'LL I'm going with you, Lane.
I'LL take my chance Of any shenani-
gan. ! want to see what the fellow
Ii up to. Be with you soon as i've
caught and saddled." He walked
back to the clubhouse and finished
dressing, after which he joined the
others at the corral.
They rode across-country through