The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-06-04
CHAPTER ii

thing to come. Ollie Jacks reached
at his skirt pocket and produced his
tobacco.
Clay" he said, 81 never did you
no wrong, did II"
mot that / know of"
Sweat ran its oil-shine across Oh
lie Jacks face; his lips were small
and sharp and his eyes-not eyes
that any man could trust-clung to
Morgan. "All I want is a chance to
ride out of this town." ne said.
Herendeen said in his bluntly un-
answerable manner: ''Everybody's
been talking about things being le-
gal. So we made this legal and
see what happened. We won't make
that mistake again. You're on the
wrong foot, Clay. Better get right"
"Never mind,' said Morgan. They
saw him now as he seldom was, the
quick angles of his face showing up.
The change was instant, he had
no smoothness, no reaSonableness.
What he said was challenge-he
meant it that way and wanted them
to know it. He swung around, speak
ing to Ollie Jacks. you're all right
in town, Ollie. But when you leave,
that's your grief"
"Whoai" said Herendeen. "Tl
make what damned trouble !
please"
Morgan came about fast enough
to make Lige White jerk his head
aside. Morgan said: "All right, Ben.
If you want it, you can have it
now"
1t shocked everybody still, this
challenge SO unexpected and SO
deadly in a quick-tempered country.
1t caught Herendeen with his guard
down. Herendeen stepped away
from the locust tree, the bright
flame of anger in his eyes.
''Ive got some business to finish
during the week, Morgan. When
that's done I'll see you. That is all
care to say"
Fine" answered Morgan, and
walked away. Behind him, the as
tonished silence still held.
He passed the courthouse and went
into the post office, rapping at the
wicket until Fred Rich came out of
the back room.
mo notice yet on Government
Valley?"
mo-" said the postmaster.
"I want to know when it comes"
''I'n post it on one of the buildings
in the valley. That's regulation"
The sun was gone from desert and
sky, leaving a soft blue-running
light behind. The supper triangle
began to beat up its iron changing
from the porch of the Mountain
House hotel. The Red Canyon stage
rolled out of the hills, made a howl
ing swing into Main Street and
stopped before the hotel in smoky
eddies of dust. Morgan left the post
office doorway, still interested in the
way the Three Pines riders-Heren-
deems outft-scattered themselves
along the street. Janet had appeared
at McGarrah's doorway and was
calling his name.
She took his hand. They went on
through the store, into the back
quarters. Yellow lamplight poured
on the red-checkered tablecloth,
splintering brilliantly against the
glass cruets. Ann McGarrah was in
the kitchen, dishing the meal; he
passed on to the rear porch, took
off his coat and scrubbed away the
riding dust. When he returned to
the dining room they were waiting
for him-Janet and Ann.
They ate, idly talking, idly argu-
ing. The druggists boy, Fred Tan
ner, came to the back yard and
called Janet's name. Janet moved
restlessly in her seat until Morgan
nodded. AS soon as she had gone,
Ann McGarrah said: you'll be
riding a lot this week. Let Janet
stay here
Morgan smiled. what is it this
time, Ann? There's always some
thing"
She said candidly: "a new dress,
Clay. And her hair"
He said: II guess there are some
things l can't do for her"
II can do those things for her.
like to. / want to-" But when she
said this her manner changed and
her eyes were cool and her voice
pushed him away. II don't mean
that the way it sounds. For her,
Clay. Not for you"
His head was lifted and he was
listening to the thinned report of
mans loud voice on the street.
He was straight in his chair, his
mind and temper changing back to
the world out there. She knew what
he was thinking, for she had been
on the porch when he had chal-
lenged Herendeen. She said in a
subdued voice:
"Im not surprised you were will
ing to quarrel with him. 1t goes
back long way. You never forget
anything"
He said, Thanks for the supper.
Ann" and walked on through the
store to the front porch. She fol-
lowed him; she was beside him when
he paused on the street. Janet ran
forward from the stores back al
ley, out of breath and laughing. At
this moment Morgan's interest was
wholly on the street Ann McGar-
rah saw how closely he studied the
roundabout shadows. It was care