Hungry Horse news., 1948-04-16
CHAPTER XXXVIII

Ellen found IT Impossible W SicCP
After tossing in bed for two or three
hours she got up, dressed, and Wen
down into the hotel lobby. Roam AL
ford passed through it, on his way
from the bar to the street. The
gray-haired little mans beady eyes
fastened on the girl.
what you doing up this time OF
night, Miss Elem" he asked.
II can't rest, Mr.. Afford. I'm wor-
ried about father. I want to 60
back to the ranch, where I'll be
nearer him if anything happens.
Afford agreed to ride with her.
AS they rode up through the dark
ness to the ranch house Roam caught
at the rein of Ellen's horse and
pulled it to halt
"Wait a minute. There's some
one thereon the porch"
Already Ellen's gaze had picked
up two horses at the side OF the
building, vague and shadowy in the
gloom. The object on the porch
stirred. It was man. Or was it
two men?
who is it," Afford called.
Calhoun Terry" the answer
came.
A pulse began to beat in the girls
throat.
'Ts that father with your" she
asked.
Terry rose from where he had
been kneeling. mo. Your father
is all right, Miss Carey. This is a
wounded man. He slipped out Of
the Wagonwheel Gap Ranch with a
message, and they wounded him as
he was trying to get through the
lines"
"The Wagonwheel Gap" she re-
peated.
eyes. Ellison's men are surround
ed there. They want telegram
sent to the Governor.
'Has there been battle?"
mot yet. The settlers are be-
sieging the invaders, who are pretty
well forted up. I'm afraid there
will be a heavy loss of life If the
troops don't stop it."
where is father?"
HE is with Bill Herriott's men.
We offered to mediate. but they
wouldn't let u.s."
Ellen looked down at the man on
he floor. SIS he badly hurt?" she
asked.
"Shot in the leg. Could you take
him in here, until l can arrange to
lave him moved?"
"Of course"
81 hate to trouble you, ma'am,"
lancey said.
Don't worry about that" she told
lin.
The men carried him upstairs and
,ut him to bed. They dressed the
wound as best they could, after
which Ellen joined Calhoun on the
orch.
'I'll rope one of your horses, If
ou don't mind" he said to her.
I have to get this message off to
he Governor.
She took instant alarm. You're
ot going back to Round Top?"
mo. III send the telegram from
i'm Creek. 1t would probably be
cid up if l tried to get it off from
found Top"
will you send wire to Doctor
[arris and ask him to come up and
,ok after our patient here?"
Eyes. He'll probably be needed
t the Wagonwheel Gap Ranch too.
IN the way there he can stop here"
Ellen walked down with him to the
oral. Roam Afford was taking
are of the wounded man, and for
lie time she could be spared. She
loved with a fine animal vigor,
noulders and hips in a straight line
critically. Calhoun noted the rhyth-
tic grace of the slender figure. He
ad never met another woman like
err, so fine and gallant and ami
lated with life. There strummed
, his blood a strong desire for her
for the dark beauty tempered as
oledo blade, for the sweetness and
he courage that she carried like
amer. There would be gifts in her
yes for some lucky man, but they
yould not be for him.
Larry Richards and l are buying
slice of the Diamond Reverse B."
e told her. 1--WE been thinking we
hight have a place for jeff Brand
,hen he gets able to work"
She flashed a quick look at him,
"Do you think that would