Hungry Horse news and Columbian. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1946-1948, 1947-06-13

Bartle could tolerate. For, II by an
chance, in spite of his vigilance, I'd
tobacco men and the cattlemen Shout
get together to compare notes, Their
would be investigations and -.
'Kind of late with such conclusions
aren't you, Pringle?" he drawled..
81 guess. Maybe because no mai
ever thinks real hard until something
hits him hard. Then, even if he's no
plumb right he thinks deep. Reckon
I'll ride back to town with you late
and kind of nose around. 1t ain
always detectives that dig up thing
that might lead to somebody who ha'
never even been suspected Or"
Bartle pulled back his horse. His
hand dipped swiftly into his holster
His fingers gripped the gun butt
Pringle would have died at that mo
ment-but the eerie cry of nearby
mountain cat tore at Bartle's ears,
rasped his nerves.
| But the respite was short. Bartles
gun roared once. Pringle's body quiv-
| cred, slid sideward in the saddle. His
horse bolted in fright as the farmer
fell and lay twisted in the mud and
melting sleet of the trail.
As if to speed him on his way to
eternity, there came again the CHASTITY
cry of prowling cat
Hastily dismounting, the killer rolled
oil &c do Coff jeff hot
his work had been done thoroughly, he
turned back to his horse. On his face
was look of triumph, made doubly
hideous by the ghostly light of the
moon that at that moment rolled from
behind cloud. One foot was ready to
hoist him to the leather when suddenly
the misty form of a rider loomed up
in the gloom of the trail
1t was Juanita.
Before Russ Bartle was hardly more
than aware that a rider was approach
ing, Juanita had acted instantly. In a
flash her gun was boring into his
middle.
This time, hombre, you do not ride
water and escape me-" she said coldly.
But her heart was pounding If she
could take this man prisoner to Valdez,
Ell Caballero Rojo might wiring the
truth from him.
You don't think 1 killed this MANI"
Bartle clustered, his eyes on the weap-
on in the poems steady hand, and in
wardly cursing because his own was
back in his holster.
Him l am not sure about" Juanita |
said evenly. "But the sign of your
horse tell me you are the torturer who |
nailed man to Don Attero's Cross
that you are the one who killed the
farmer at the burning shed. 81! You
write your name where you go! It is
too bad that only now you know that
the toe-piece on the front left shoe of
your horse is not evenly worn down."
Don't be fool y exploded Bartle.
Somebody fred at us from those
pushes in back of you. From the glimpse
caught 1 thought it was some COW
puncher-but it may have been you
See for yourself how easy it is to shoot
from those bushes and not be seem"
Juanita did not move. "Once tonight
make the big mistake" she said. 81
10 not look behind me, Senior Muir
lerer. You turn around. Place your
lands behind your back. l tie YOU
irst l look behind me, si-when you
ire in a safe place and 1 know who
,ou are"
So this Mexican fellow didn't know
Who Russ Bartle was There was still
chance for the banker to save his
eputation-and his neck.
Tie and be hanged !" he stormed.
But you'll pay for this. I'll have
sheriff Lande hunt you down the min
tie you find out what a fool you've
Gen."
Juanita was unimpressed. Experience
ad taught her to believe her eyes in
reference to her ears. She took the I
ope that hung on Pedro's saddle and
dvanced on the man.
she had just thrown a loop around S
ne prisoners wrists when suddenly {
'artle spun around like a beast at s
ay, snarling. He fayed Juanita, his r
SITS lashing out, driving the slight girl
ackward relentlessly, not swerving
zen when Juanita's weapon spoke and /
anne singed his coat sleeve. il
Juanita stumbled and fell. Bartle q
ing himself upon her, pummeling her
18th one fist while the other sought to
latch her gun. But as his victims q
ruggles weakened, Bartle remembered /
Re gun in his own holster. Yanking il =,
it, he swung the barrel to within "
ches of Juanitas chest. His finger
shtened convulsively on the trigger