Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1943-02-26
W.Nu. RELEASE

box and I've got only one! For 4
minute I wondered if you had the
other one!" No, none of that was to
be spoken without looking ahead.
He laughed at her.
REALLY, Miss Lee! Now, look
here; if there's any will we'll talk
about it when it turns up. AS a
matter of fact, happen to know
that there isn't any. Also I know
that he was going to make one
but he didn't get time! He died first!
Meantime, as next of kin, am TAX
ing care of things here. I'm sorry
that I can't ask you to stay. Really,
l am sorry!'
Were not going!" cried the girl.
Il won't bulge, for one. He wasn't
your uncle, anyhow, just some sort
OF distant cousin or something. And
he didn't like you! Neither do I! I've
come over hundred miles and at
Mr.. Early Bills invitation - and
here stay!"
RANGES voice sharpened.
FINISHED? Good! Now you listen
to me-
"What goes on here?" asked a
mans voice, very cool and calm,
almost at drawl, yet quietly en-
| phatic.
It was Cal Roundtree, old Early
Bills foreman. Hat in hand he came
in from the patio, stepping softly on
his toes because of his spurs.
| Its nothing that can't take care
of, Roundtree," said Rance, very
curt. "Any time that I need you I'll
let you know"
"Thanking you kindly" said Cal
Roundtree and then stood pulling
one end of his moustache, then the
other, while his serene eyes regard
ed the two women with the frankest
interest. "Mornin', ladies'" he greet
ed them. "Me, I'm Roundtree, Cal
houn Roundtree, used to be fore
man for old man Cole" He APP
praised the older woman at his lei
sure, no impertinence in his look,
Just unmasked inquiry, then trans
ferred his Investigations to the girl.
His eyes frightened, but then most
eyes frightened when they met Ann
Lees eyes. at might be-" said
Cal Roundtree, and sounded friend
ly, "that you're Miss Ann Lee, come
up here to see Early Bill?"
"Why, yes! How did you know?"
Il had mite of talk with him
a few days ago, shortly before he
petered out, said Cal. "He said as
how he was expectin' comp'ny. It
would be you and with you, maybe,
your aunt-Miss Jenifer Edwards,
ma'am?" he asked in that gentle
voice of his.
Aunt Jenifer nodded.
PLEASED to meet you ladies'"
said Cal then, and offered a horny,
toil-blackened hand. You're right
welcome, that's what Early Bill says
I'm to say to you, and to make
yourselves to home long as you care
to tarry. He says likewise he's most
sorry not to be able to be here to
shake you by the hand, him bein'
called away to keep date he
mustn't be late at" He cleared his
throat and clapped on his hat. 81
happened to see the horse and bug
gy. First, | thought maybe the
horse might like drink of water
and forkful of hay; next, l says to
myself, That's a livery stable rig
from Bald Eagle. Comply! And
l reckoned it might be you ladies'"
Rance Waldron heard him out,
his gorge rising, his face hot con-
| gested red when at last he said in a
repressed voice bespeaking a cold
fury,
"Roundtree, when you're wanted
here at the house III let you know.
I'm taking care of things up here,
understand"
Cal started to go, then turned and
came back. Either of you ladies'
know how to shoot a gun off," he
asked gently.
Ann there" said her aunt, "can
shoot your eye out at fifty yards!"
Cal chuckled. "Me, I'll make a
point not gettin ornery around you,
ma'am," he told Ann. He pulled a
Colt forty-five up out of its holster,
stepped across the threshold of the
kitchen and dropped the gun to the
table. ANY time you want any,
thing he said, "you just blaze
away with that; me, I'll be down
| around the corral somewhere, any,
how not too far off to hear it-Like
Early Bill said, make yourselves to
home, ladies'" and departed, STEP
ping softly, along with a scowling
Rance Waldron
81 like him." said Ann Lee when
the two had gone. isn't he"
Aunt Jenifer jerked her head
about and cupped hand to her ear.
Here comes the rest of the
world, reckon" she said content
eddy. For so far from everywhere,
we sure do see folks! Someone on
horseback like he was riding a race.
Now who do you suppose this young
Teller isl"
They waited in the patio to find
out. He dismounted out under the
big oak, around the corner of the
building just out of sight. Then
tbov hoard hin, coming m 70 a.