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

eQBe OI Tie Deus ClOSSly tillllhAHS. AL
the talk OF the men had come
through the front rooms open Win
dow to her-all of it, excepting the
name of Herendeen's informer.
Leaving Grants ranch, Clay Nor
gan rode north through a gentle up
and-down roll of hills carpeted with
bunch grass and loosely studded by
twisted, ancient jumpers and jack
pine. Later in the afternoon he
passed the valley of Herendeen's
ranch at some distance and entered
the footslopes of Mogul, through
short ravines shaded by box elder
and alder and cottonwood.
Thus he rode upward with the
quartering trails of Mogul, toward
its plateau in the late afternoon
hours. The sun fell behind the west
ern mountains in a formless red
eruption. In another half hour twi-
light, cool and tremendously still,
whirled about him. Beyond eight
o'clock he sighted the CLINT of light
from his ranch house, shining across
the flats. Reaching home, he had
supper and sat on the porch. Muscu-
lar WEAKNESS loosened his long
frame and the ease of the darken-
ing night got into him; fed and indo-
lent, he swayed the rocker across
the loose porch boards and breathed
the fragrance of his cigar.
Quietly he smoked his cigar, un-
til he heard the far rhythm of a
horse coming out of the west, around
the foot of the Mogul Hills. He took
the cigar from his mouth, cupping
its glowing tip in his palm, and sat
quietly until the rider turned in
at the porch. Catherine Grant called
quietly, CLAY" and got down.
He brought over another rocker.
She sat beside him, lying back. Her
arm trailed over the rockers arm,
her face was a round soft-shining
blur in the dark. But he didn't need
to see it; he remembered how her
| lips would be long and gently
pursed, how half-grave and half
amused her eyes would be. She
said in serious voice: Maybe I'm
doing something you won't like. I'm
carrying tales. Ben and Lige White
came over to see Gurd directly aft
er you left. Ben's going to have
men out in the hills, looking for
rustlers. He's got somebody in the
country pussyfooting for him. don't
know who it is-but somebody we're
all acquainted with, I think. Gurd
wanted to tell you all this. Ben
said he didn't trust you."
Morgan said: Sounds natural"
She let the silence go along quite
an interval. Her voice was cool and
near. "You hate him more than
people realize, Clay. AS he hates
you. Nothing ever would bring you
together. Is that why you took Oh
lie Jacks part?"
mo" he answered.
She didn't press the point. This
was the way they had always been,
close and tolerant, sometimes an
gered and frank, but never demand
ing. She had silent streak of her
own, depth she never let others
see; and she gave him the same
respect. She said now; do you
know why l came?"
He said, cheerfully: "To sit or
my porch again"
"Clay," she said, almost as g
warning, "let's keep away from
that"
"Why did you Gomez" he sale
obediently.
ITO tell you / think Ben would
do anything to lay trap for you
Remember that-always remember
that"
He said: "I'll tell you this" anc
turned slowly in the rocker, hearing
other horses sweep around the base
| of the Mogul Hills. Catherine came
to her feet. She murmured: II don't
want to be seen here" and stepped
inside the house.
Morgan went to her horse and lee
it around to the dark side of the
house. A single rider rushed at the
porch, with other riders pounding
J more distantly behind him. Clay re
turned to the porch, watching the
first riders shape break the black
ness and circle into the yard. His
horse was hard-breathing, pushed
| by long run; he said, as he stepped
to the ground, "Me, Clay. Me
Hack"
"What's the trouble?"
ITO BE CONTINUED