The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-09-03

McIeen-S S holster ana stepped Dacks
the whole thing had turned him
white and half-crazy.
McGeen squirmed around the dirt
and got to his feet.
Get on the horse" said Heren-
deem, land do what I say"
McGeen turned and reached for
the reins. He missed them and
swept his hand out a second time,
blindly. When he had them in his
fingers he put his head against the
side of the horse, stupidity still.
Herendeen said: Go on or I'll bat
you again.
McGeen made no attempt to throw
the reins over the horses head. He
seized the horn, pulling himself into
his seat. He stiffened his arms
against the horn. bracing himself in
this manner and closing his eyes.
He said, Damned world is going
around" and fell out of the saddle
suddenly; he hit on his face and bel
~, one arm doubled beneath him,
and did not move.
The two long-faced strangers
came away from their spot behind
Morgan and paused to stare at Nc
Geen~ Herendeen bent over and
rolled McGeen on his back. Nc
Geens eyes were open but his mus
cles had no life in them. Heren-
deem nudged McGeen's body with
his toe, saying, Come out of it,
Bones"
One of the strangers said in a dis
gusted voice: That's no way to
treat a man."
Herendeen motioned toward a pair
of his own crew. They came up
and seized McGeen, shoulders and
feet, and lugged him over the porch
into the house. The two strangers
went on toward the corner of the
house. They turned, no longer in
terested; something, Morgan saw,
had happened here pretty definitely.
Herendeen saw it too, and his talk
jumped at them. "I'll do the talk
ing around here. We're riding UP
the hill. I'll see about this beef
business" He turned his attention to
Morgan. Come on, get down from
there"
mo-" said Morgan, "I guess not. "
Herendeen had his mind fixed; he
drove his reused talk at Morgan.
Times change. I'm through foolin'
with you"
Morgan said: "Let 'er flicker then,
| Ben
Behind Morgan, suddenly, was the
sound of an advancing rider. Ev.
erybody looked down the valley to-
ward the newcomer except Heren-
deem, who was caught in the grip oi
his own slow, fat-footed will. He
| pointed finger at Morgan and said:
"You get down.
The rider came in behind Nor.
gan, calling at once: whats ur
here?"
1t was Lige Whites voice. Heren.
deem turned his head, reluctantly
recognizing White.
I'm on the way to War Pass
Better come along, Clay, if you're
through here"
'I'm through" drawled Morgan
eff Ben is"
Lige White said briskly: mo OBJ
| jections, Benz"
Herendeen showed a black ane
sullen and on driving temper
"Lige," he called out, you're in
terfering. What side you on?"
"On the side of my friends" sal,
White. You're my friend, and s.
is Morgan"
"Then you're no friend of mine.
White said coolly: That's you
business, naturally. / think / under
stand what's in the wind here and O
course could not stand by and Sc,
a shooting. The odds are a littl,
strong. I'm surprised at you, Ben.
He stared at the new men in tn,
yard. He ducked his head at them
News to me that you were short
| handed on this ranch. When did yo,
find it necessary to bring in tn,
Ryder boys? l don't like that kint
OF business and will not be part,
to a general ruckus. If we've got t,
hire outside men, the situation il
getting completely out of hand"
/ Herendeen listened to this franl
talk with f1at-jawed unreason. H,
said: eff you're not with me, thel
you're against me, Lige. Don't com,
around here for help"
Both very easy to do" retortec
White. 81 will give you the sam,
advice. Ready, Clay?"
ITO BE CONTINUED