Hungry Horse news and Columbian. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1946-1948, 1948-03-26
CHAPTER xxxII

After supper Ellen walked out INT
the soft, moonlit night to see wner
her father was. She found him II
the stable putting harness on San
and Buck.
I'm going with you." the cir
told him.
II think you had better, NJ
agreed. There's chance these IN
vaders might come this way. PacE
a valise with things to last you TWO
three days. Until things settle dowr
you'll be safer at Round Top thar
here"
Lane clucked to the horses and
they started off. Presently the
trail ran into the road. A man
came out Of it at canter.
Ellen drew a deep breath OF rel1ef.
He was a man OF flesh and BLOOD
and one she knew. His name was
Wade Scott.
"Ellison's men got Dave Morgan
and Sib Lee," he blurted out.
Only a few hours ago she had
seen Morgan start for Deep Creek
to warn the settlers.
Scott rode down beside or behind
them to Round Top. He dropped OIL
at the Crystal Palace to tell his
news. The place was boiling with
life, as was the street outside.
The man from Deep Creek banged
tumbler on the top Of the bar for
silence. When the voices died down
he told his story to a stilled and
shocked audience. They waited till
he had finished. then poured ques-
tons at him.
Lee Hart slammed his fist on the
walnut. THAT settles it. Well take
those fellows out Of the calaboose
and string 'em up, no matter what
Nate says"
A little wrinkled man with wide,
gray, weather-beaten hat walked
into the place. He had just ridden
down from his ranch to find out
how large a force Round Top ex-
pected to send as allies Of the set
tiers against the invaders. Roam had
arrived just in time to hear Harris !
snarling threat.
you don't want to get on the
prod too sudden, Lee," he said mild
ly. II heard up at Black Butte as
came through that Cal Terry saved
jeff Brands life today. It takes
only a iii while to hang a man,
but only God Almighty can bring
him back to life again."
Hart turned on him angrily, a
glass of whiskey halfway to his
mouth. mot thing to that story.
Horace Garvey started it,
Afford was worried, but he said
10 more in protest. He knew it was
\ no use.
'How is jeff" he asked. where
s he?"
Doing all right, I reckon. He's
It the Round Top hotel"
Roam left his horse tied at the
itch-rack and started for the Round
OPP, which was really only a board
1g-house. On the way somebody
topped him for a moment to dis
uss the chances Of trapping the in
aders. He mentioned casually that
e had just seen Lane Carey at the
.olden House. Lane and his daugh-
II had reached town. Afford de-
lded to consult with the Box SIS
ian about the best thing to do. He
new that Terry and Richards were
| very great danger. Only deter
lined effort could save them from
lob vengeance.
Carey and his daughter were still
the lobby of the Holden House.
hey were waiting there for a maid
} finish changing the bed OF room
ecently vacated. Afford walked
cross to them.
Hell has broke loose in Georgia."
e said to Carey. 1--WE just left the
rystal Palace, where they are all
alking about lynching Cal Terry
nd Larry Richards. That's all they
re discussing on the streets too,
kept the trouble on Deep Creek.
'hey'n be heading for the Jail
mighty soon, looks to me-"
All the color washed from the
ace Of Ellen. She stared at the
title man, lips parted, fear dilating
Ter eyes. "But-but-how can that
'e, when they fought with the Tex
ms today and saved jeff Brands
ife?" she asked.
Il told 'em that. They won't be-
ieve it. They have gone crazy.
We have got to get it across to them
hat Cal isn't tied up with this bunch
II Ellison's. I figured maybe they
would listen to jeff, if we could get
lin to the jail. He's at the Round
Top Hotel"
"Pl go to Jeff,' the girl cried.
'I'Il bring him.
The Box SIS man hesitated. "All
right" he said after a moment. It
aad occurred to him that she might
ave some influence with Brand if
any was necessary. but You'll
stay at the Round Top till this is all
over. The streets are no place for
4 girl tonight
Roam got Ellen off the main
streets as soon as he could, but not
before she sensed the intense feel
Ing Of the men they saw. It beat on
her like the heat from the open
door OF furnace. Instinctively she
hurried her steps, as the chill Of
fear filed her breast.
The old woman who was nursing
JEFF thought that he ought not to