Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1943-04-09
CHAPTER XIII

For one stricken instant the ad-
venturesome Aunt Jenifer felt as
though she were paralyzed. The
next second she leapt and ran like
frightened deer; her racing foot
steps sounded extraordinarily loud
in her own ears as she dashed
through Waldron's room toward the
corridor. Then an even louder sound
struck her ears, man in the yard
running faster than she could run,
making for the outside door of Tom
Coughs room. She gained the door
she was heading for and heard the
other door snapped open, and heard
mans heavy boots come pounding
on.
She fled faster than ever, carrying
her lamp in one hand, her letter in
the other. The lamp chimney was
shaken off and crashed to the floor,
making noise, it seemed to her,
loud enough to wake the dead, but
the flame, giving out more smoke
than light, still burned on and
showed her dimly the way she must
go to gain her own room. She
glanced back and saw the man
speeding after her; it was too dark
back there for her to make him out
clearly, but she knew it must be
Rance Waldron, and she could mag
inc his hard hands choking her to
death.
By about three yards she won the
race. But by the time she could
slip into Ann Lees room and get
her key into the lock, he was at her
door. By the fraction of a second
she shot the bolt before his hand
touched the knob.
Then she sped through Ann Lees
room and to the door that gave
upon the corridor, and as she heard
him coming there. too, she got that
door locked.
There was heavy silence, then
Ann Lees sleepy voice asking, SIS
that you, Auntie? What are you do
ing?"
Then Rance Waldrons voice spoke
up. saying CURLY yet not over loud,
miss Edwards, think you had
better let me come in. Or. if you
like, you might step out here and
give me word of explanation.
mot tonight. Mr.. Waldron, thank
you," said Aunt Jenifer with cred
liable calmness.
Ann Lee sat up in bed.
what is it," she whispered.
"What has happened?"
Again Rance Waldron spoke, more
sternly this time.
Miss Edwards, I won't stand for
this sort of thing. You come out
here and give me good explanation
or I'll smash your door down and
come in
Aunt Jenifer told her pat little lie
then.
81 still have Cal Roundtree's gun,
Mr.. Waldron," she said quietly.
"Stick your ugly mug in here and
I'll shoot it off"
"I'll bust your door down, | tell
you" said Waldron. 81 know you
haven't any gun. Cody pitched it
out into the patio and I saw Round
tree pick it up and holster it and
carry it off with him. Going to
open up?"
"No Not on your life. And if you
try it, I'll yell my head off, and
I've got voice that'll call the hogs
home mile: and the Cole Cody you
mention will be here like a shot
and will work on you the way he did
this morning. only I'll bet my hustle
H., 40 hot
job this time"
That's something to think
about" said Waldron, and sounded
reasonable and thoughtful Then he
fell silent. moment later sne could
hear his footsteps, moving away.
By now Ann Lee was thoroughly
frightened. She was sitting up, the
bed covers clutched up to her throat
as though for protection.
HE won't come back, I'm sure of
it," said Aunt Jenfer. Yet she
wasn't sure, and he did come back.
81 am going to shoot the lock
off your door-or I'll 60 get an ak.
You had better open up. AS for
calling that Cody hombre. it's no
use. I've been to his room and he's
not there. The chances are he's no
nearer than Bald Eagle"
Ann Lee whispered to her aunt,
THAT isn't true!" But Aunt Jeni-
fer nodded and drew down the cor
Ders of her mouth.
"Only it is true l knew he had
gone out and knew he hadn't come
back. It's likely he's down at the
mems quarters by now, Ginning with
Cal Roundtree. But if we yelled our
heads off they wouldn't hear; that's
why Cal left you gun this morn
ing, to signal him with. Darn it,
wish we had that gun now! Well,
anyhow, I've got all the keys know
about in this place, and it'll take a
lot Of ak work to batter one of these
doors down."