Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1943-03-19
CHAPTER X

"HdI llley dSIeeu W Cdl d llullCli.
Likewise, both we're scorching with
curiosity. Having talked spaciously
of the two newcomers, pretty girl
by name of Ann Lee and of a lean,
long individual name of Cole Cody
who had brought the stage in, hav-
ing discussed these two at full length
-Queerly, they didn't even mention
Aunt Jenifer to each other, though
both had taken full cognizance of
her-they were impelled to travel
out to the ranch at an unearthly
hour, to take stock of conditions
there.
They arrived early, just in time to
see four people gathered about
table with an old black iron box
centering their attention.
"Aha!" the two old porch-sitters
said simultaneously within them
selves, and came barging in.
Ann emitted small. shrill squeal
of delight.
doctor Joe! Oh, Doctor Joe, I'm
so glad and grateful you came! I'm
amongst enemies, cruel, horrid men
that would steal girls last penny.
You come watch, Doctor Joel"
And Cole Cody, seeing the Judge,
said warm,
"Howdy, Judge. Come guard my
interests, won't you? They're not
only shooting me up, they're trying
to steal my mess of pottage. Keep
the eye peeled, will you Judge? And
I'll buy the drinks"
They got the box open. And, all
credit to little Ann Lee and some
small credit to Cole Cody, they
didn't grab. Their eyes, though, did
grab.
They saw, first of all, two long,
sealed envelopes.
well, Mr. Cody" said Ann, and
looked and sounded very brave, "the
top envelope is addressed to William
Cole Cody. If you care to lift it out,
I'll take mine!'
Underneath was the one addressed
to her. She snatched it, ran her
excited eyes over it, Haunted it in
his face. Then she tore it open as
fast as any envelope was ever
opened in all the world, from the
time of Rameses. if they had en-
velopes then, to this current Ammo
Domino year. Her eyes, racing fast
er than light travels, that rapid trav-
eler, were shining. A glance told
her the tale, the fairy tale, the story
that she knew would be there! "To
Ann Lee give and bequeath-all
my belongings-the properties known
as the King Cole Ranch" and so
forth
Come, hurry, Doctor Joel" she
cried. "You were right! Look"
Cole Cody nailed the Judge with
his eye.
Hey, Judge!" he called cheerily.
"Step over, will you? We maybe are
going to need arbitration, and pick
you for my sponsor! Ten per cent
of the net proceeds. if any, goes to
you. How about it? Let's both ride
lucky!"
what in the world is this?" ex-
claimed Ann Lee She waved sheet
of paper; there was bank note
pinned to it. Listen! 1t says: Lit
tie Ann Lee, sort of kind of liked
you. You were mighty sweet to me,
little Ann; you were like flower
and l bet you make yourself a lot
of trouble though, but all live gals do
such! Do me favor, will you? l
made bet with a crazy galoot
name of Josephus Daniel Dodge,
generally known far and wide, most
ly in low dives and disgraceful
places, as Doc joe l made the old
fool bet, five hundred dollars that
me, I'd outlive him. And here l am
as good as dead already! Wouldn't
that make you mad, lit"
She began to cry, dabbing furious
ly at her eyes. But she jerked her
head up and let the tears run as
they darn well pleased, and kept
right straight on reading:
Wouldn't that make you mad,
little Ann Lee? Well, it makes me
mad, but lose and pay. Here's
five hundred dollars. Suppose you
hand it over to Doc Joe and tell him
that anyhow I'll get me my laugh,
sitting up on a big white cloud with
nice pink trimmings and playing
home SWeet nome on my harp,
while peek down pretty soon and
spy on him sizzling down in hell!
Thanks, little Armand you keep
your hair on, and maybe you'll ride
lucky! Yours, Bill Cole.'
"I'm damned" said Cole Cody
softly.
He held up similar sheet of pa
Der hank note attached He road
eli, Bill Cole Cody! Sorry
missed you; couldn't wait, having
other places to go. Now look here,
kid, l sort of liked you; anyhow
we had fun together. So you re-
member old times and do me a
kindness, same as I'd do you at a
pinch. I made a bet with a dirty