Hungry Horse news and Columbian. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1946-1948, 1947-07-11

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Maxon.
There was one way to get rid OF tn
unwelcome guest, Chef Maxon COZ
sidered. Put the shoes on his horse
This Maxon suddenly volunteered t
do. He went out on the job at once
and in a short time he returned to tn
house.
! Done" he announced. you're read.
to ride now"
Bartle ignored the hint. His fears
were riding him hard. Had he owned
less real estate and had less cash in thu
bank where it could not be touched
until morning, be might have rushed
out and ridden away, never to return
to Gold Greek. He paced the fool
faster, glancing out of the window,
awaiting the arrival of Clark Weber,
| whom he feared as much now as he
did the man who wore the scarlet
neckerchief.
"Why don't you go?" Ellen at last
turned around and said bluntly. II
thought you just wanted to have your
horses shoes changed"
give decided to wait for Weber,"
Bartle said.
Ellen's brows arched and she stepped
into Bartle's path.
what are you and he up to?" she
demanded.
"Weber's bringing me something
from town." snapped Bartle.
Something that can be used to
squeeze money out of somebody"
Maxon demanded. There's some kind
of dirty deal on, and I won't have it
settled here. So you can get out"
Still the landowner made no move.
IF anything happens here, we'll be
blamed, Chet!" Ellen said to her
brother, low-voiced. I'm going for the
sheriff."
She grabbed a coat and flashed out |
the door.
For half minute Bartle stood para
lyzed. Weber was due soon. Suppose
the girl arrived with Sheriff Lande
while he and Weber were threshing
things out? Lande would be interested
in knowing why tight-fsted Russ Bartle
was willing to pay so much for the
capture of 81 Caballero Rojo. He
ylared at Maxon.
IF she rides away from this farm,
I'll" He snatched his gun.
That's enough, Bartle!' Maxon
Purposefully he walked toward the
able where, in drawer, he had put
he six-gun he had wrenched out of
clark Weber's hand. Bartle flung open
he door as a horse flashed by. He
eveled his gun slowly, murder in his
cart.
Drop It'll" Maxon commanded.
Bartle wheeled, fired at Maxon in
family.
Chef Maxon foundered backward.
But before he toppled he shot twice.
he shots kicked white puffs from the
laster wall over the landowners
boulder.
Completely panicked, Bartle dashed
II the barn. No amount of real estate
Or millions in bank could have held !
i'm IN that house another minute. All +
asked of life now was a swift horse
A great shadow fell on the barn door :
he tugged at it. A cry came from :
e bankers dry lips. He tried to turn a
'ound. Like hangman's hood a dark .
lvet cape settled over his head. :
A muscular arm crooked around his
ok and held him half stifed while S
other hand snatched away his gun. (
suddenly as it had fallen upon him Y
cape was pulled away. He whirled A
convulsive terror to. see the same
lvet tight around the 1.-THE body of =
red-headed Caballero Rojo. g
Back into the house." Ell Caballero Ia Ia
10 commanded Bartle "Move! Well "
d out what that shooting l heard St
s about" W
1T was a fair fght!" Bartle :
canned. HE fired"
$50 will I, if you don't start for that c,
lse." kr
A canny look came into Bartle's ewes vi
hope kindled. r.
"Ihe girls gone for Sheriff Lande
u re riSkinp vour 1ifo have =