The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-06-18


like the way he's acting. He won't
talk to Ben"
NO." said Catherine. "He never
will"
1T was something that had to do
with Lila and Ben, wasn't it,"
She shook her head. Never mind,
Gurd."
The quick ruffie of horses hooves
turned her against the porch post
and in this attitude she watched
Herendeen and Lige White cross the
meadow. When they reached the
porch Lige White lifted his hat with
a gallant flourish he could never es-
cape. Herendeen simply stepped
down, saying: "Want to see you,
Gurd."
Herendeen said, "Why don't
we go into War Pass some
night, Catherine, and paint the
tcwn?''
They sat down in the drowS7 shade
of the living room. Lige White
looked around, chuckling over a sud-
den fancy. Il remember how your
mother used to receive visitors here.
A very proper and courteous wom-
an, Gurd."
"Gurd," said Ben Herendeen,
blunt and impatient as always,
were going to set some men on
these hill trails at night. Just to
see who travels 'em after dark. Lige
has agreed to take care of the Ante
lope Plains. I'm posting one near
the west base of the Moguls. l want
you to keep some men up there on
the high trail to War Pass. Be sure
they don't talk and be sure they do
this after dark"
''All right" said Gurd "But
you're fishin' with pretty loose net.
What we need is a man to just ride
around with his eyes and ears open,
without being suspected"
Range detective" said Lige
White.
Herendeen gave both of them a
stolid look. Already got that man."
"Who?" asked Grant.
Herendeen bent forward and let
the mans name drop softly into the
room. Now" he added, "say moth
ing about it. Anybody knew it was
him, his life wouldn't be worth
much" He put his hard stare on
Gurd Grant. Il don't want Morgan
to know, either"
'Well now," answered Gurd Grant
with slow discomfort, 81 don't know
about that. He's in this, too"
What was he playin' along with
Ollie Jacks for? Anybody know
where he really stands? Anybody
got square answer out of him?
No. Until we do we'll keep this to
ourselves" He had way of drop
ping his closed fist through the air
to drive home his talk; he did it
now. Then he added, dryly: 'It
may be he's on the other side of the
fence"
That's a damned fool thing to
say" fiared up Gurd Grant. 81 don't
like it."
Hes protecting Hack Breathitt," +"
pointed out Herendeen. "And what's
Hack? Figure it out"
wait a minute" said Gurd
Grant, Hacks all right"
''He made camp with Pete Bor-
ders last night" said Herendeen.
Grant scowled at the news. Fool
ish thing to do" he admitted.
Herendeen rose. "You two fell
lows meet me at my place around
six. Maybe l can show you some
thing. Maybe, before long, We'll
smoke out Morgan. Far as I'm con-
cerned, it's fish or cut bait. Well
have this country empty of people
that don't belong in it by ninety
days" He slapped his hand sharply
against his knee and rose, leading
the other two to the porch.
Catherine remained by the steps.
Herendeen paused and put his round
blue glance on her, cool and ap-
praising; he betrayed himself to
her, in the way he used his eyes.
He showed her what he was think
ing 'tFriday night then, Catherine"
he said and went to his horse, rid
ing out of the meadow with Lige
White.
"Gurd," reflected Catherine, 'be
careful in what you promise Ben"
Gurd said "We've all got to stick
together" and went back through
the house.
Catherine turned into the house,
climbing the stairs to her own room.
She started to remove the riding
habit but stopped and sat on the