Hungry Horse news and Columbian. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1946-1948, 1947-12-19

unless you were up at Jack Turkeys
place." he answered. 1--WE beer
ousy breaking colt to the saddle. u
mo, I was out Flat Top way"
| He shook his head. ''Must have
oeen someone else." He smiled at
ner. It'll have to do better than
That. Can't have you mistaking ev-
cry bowlegged waddy for me-"
1T doesn't matter, does it?"
% "A lot. Take a good look at me,
young lady"
She did not avail herself of the
offer. tive seen you BEFORE" she
mentioned.
And you'll see me again, any
number of times"
Dear me! Is that a threat or a
promise?" she asked lightly.
His cool eyes rested on her dark
good looks. cts promise, to my
self"
You don't know how grateful 1
am" she Knocked, with an ironic
curtsey.
Are you grateful enough to let
me take you to the Sleepy Cat Ranch
dancer" he wanted to know.
She considered that a moment
mo, don't think So" She added,
of course I'm greatly battered"
"Why won't you go with me?"
Unjust I give reasons?"
Are you going with someone
else?"
Since you ask-yes."
"Who?"
you'll find out in time, if you
are there"
He did not like it. She saw that.
There was suggestion of sulkiness
in his good-looking face. IT hope
he'll enjoy himself, whoever he is"
There was an implication in his
manner that the unknown escort
might not find pleasure in all of
the evening.
it will be bad social start for me,
won't it?"
''He won't be bored" Brand pre-
dicted. ''I'H help you entertain
him.
Ellen read into his words vindic-
tive resentment. She stopped, slim
and straight, dark eyes flashing. 81
don't think that will be necessary,
Mr.. Brand"
SIT will be a pleasure" he told
her.
They had reached the house. The |
girl moved up the porch steps and
turned to look down at him. She
said slowly, 81 can see I'm not 60
ng to like you
Not at all abashed, he smiled up
1T her confidently. "Oh, yes, you
are. Very much. I'll take care of
hat"
She felt anger stirring in her.
Some people would call it impu-
lence," she said, a tide of color in
Ter cheeks.
Ellen turned and walked into the
louse, leaving him there.
In Jeff's eyes, as he walked back
O the post-office, little devils of mis-
hief cleaned Long ago he had
discovered that one way to stir a
iris interest in him was to arouse
er resentment. 1t kept her mind
ull of him while she was devising
yays of satisfying it.
His quick glance picked up an
Their horse at the hitch-rack across
he road from the post-office. 1t
id not take him second look to
cad the brand.
"a gent from the Diamond Re-
erse B with us this morning." he
sked one of the loungers.
Ellis royal nibs," young man in
haps answered. None other than
Ir. Calhoun Terry"
Terry came out to the porch, let
is gaze drift around slowly, and
rossed the road to his horse. There
as a cool arrogance in the way he
.nored Brand that got under that
Dung mans skin. jeff could not
t it alone.
IT see you are still wearing the
at that went to the wars, Mr.. Ter
y" he jeered. did you do any
ling about that matter you were !
ping to take under consideration" =
Without a word Terry swung to :
lie saddle and logged down the
,ad. Jeff glared angrily at his
road. flat back, then turned and
alked into the office.
..What did Terry want?" he asked
,ruptly.
Carey looked at him, surprised.
Wanted to know if I had seen any
ing of bunch of she stuff miss
q from park where he had them
,rded."
"What did you tell him?"
sI don't like the way you ask that
,estion. Jeff" the ranchman said
lietly.
Brand corrected his manner.
Sorry. I meant, were you able to
We him any information?'
81 told him Ellen had seen a
inch being driven into the hills"
rev said, the eyes in his tanned,
athery face without expression.
sWho was driving it?"
"she wasn't close enough to tell"
That night at supper Ellen said
her father, Are you going to
All me to the Sleepy Cat dancer"
'.What's the matter with the young
.n9 Are they all asleep?" he
ked. -.
mot all Of them. I had an invi-
lion from a very gooo-looKlns