Hungry Horse news and Columbian. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1946-1948, 1947-05-02

As he recognized his visitor a smil
spread over his thin face. His palm
rubbed together with pleasure and sal
isfaction
"Howdy, Burr!" he greeted heartily
Glad to see you. Come right in"
The last of the Aldmans walked int
| the gloomy Office as if his feet wer
leaden weights. A broken man an
bitter, he dropped heavily into the near
est chair.
They got us, Mr.. Bartle!" h
said abruptly. "They burned our dry
ing shed; they burned our crops an,
all. They"-a lump swelled in hi
throat, all but choking him-"the.
killed Dad and Sam"
Good God, Burr I" Bartle was shocked
out of his habitual calm. How in al
thunder-who By heavens above
I'll"
The young man nodded dumbly. "They
plugged Dad right before my eyes
before | could reach him. He-I-we
wasn't either one of us armed. By the
time | got in and out of the house to
get a gun, it was too late. The rotten
skunk had managed to get clean away"
He sighed heavily as he brushed a fist
across bis smarting eyes.
You chased him, of course?" Bartles
lynx eyes narrowed with the question.
mo" Young Aldman shook his head.
u should have-but how could I? There
was Dad lying on his back all twisted
up in pain, and"
Then why the devil didn't Sam
Sam had gone up on Mission Ridge
to the Nelson house on a chore for Dad
l didn't have any kind of an idea what
had happened to him till Mexican
came by and told me that Sam was
was spiked to Don Attero's Cross"
Bartle trembled with the sudden fury
that shook him.
THE most awful thing l ever heard
f." he ground out. He put consol-
ing arm around the young farmers
shoulders. I'm mighty sorry, Burr.
| reckon l don't need to tell you that.
But, boy, I'll pledge my last dollar, my
last breath, to bring this murderer to
rope! Come on with me. We've got to
do something right away! At least
we'll make the first move by telling the
sheriff all about this"
Straw Aldman stared gloomily at the
floor. THAT wouldn't help any," he
1T wouldn't help either Dad,
or Sam, or me. Only you can help me,
Mr.. Bartle. Dad made me promise,
while he was dying, to get out of Deep
Water Valley as soon as Sam comes
home. But Sam is never coming home
now-see? So if 1 stick here, l won't
be breaking my promise to Dad, will | ?"
Bartle considered moment, then
slowly shook his hea mo, you
wouldn't be breaking your promise,
Burr"
"Then I'll stick here!" young Aid
nan said wildly. "I'll work till | drop.
I'll pay you every cent we owe you,
VT. Bartle. All I'm asking for is time
lnd-and loan for seed for a new
Trying she'd" He looked at Bartle's
impressive face. "Will you
take me?"
Bartle sat down slowly, his brow
in thought.
You know | would, Burr-if |
ould," he finally said. But, boy, I've
ot to tell you the truth. Every cent
have is tied up, tight. This very day
he bank in town pressed me for money.
stalled them off-because, you see, l
'as depending on your fathers next
ayment to meet my own obligations"
81 can't make it." Burr Aldman
ghed helplessly.
II understand, boy. But it puts us
9th in a hole, so to speak.
Again the tobacco man was lost in
fought for a while. Then he rested
emile eyes on Straw's bowed red head
II know you'd come out on top,
urr," he said, "if the cattlemen left
ou alone. But you would have to
ork yourself most to death to do it.
ont you think you'd better take your
theirs advice?"
"And clear out?" Young Aldman's
'es were defiant. "I'm not scared |
ant to fight back at Them
"But they'll lick you" Bartle shook
s head sadly. mo, 1 think the best
ing you can do is what your father
id-try to find a buyer for the farm"
Straw Aldman got up. 81 won't sell
yet" he said tightly. "I'll try to
Use a loan at the bank"