Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-21

inst ulay acting Monty made little loop and threw
underhand and the minute the rope hit the bay neck,
the younester was good. Monty made war bride
Of the linen, and the colt stood still. sround-tied
He took his time with the taipulling, thinning the
coarse hairs with his pocket knife. pulling the cookie
burrs combine the tail out with his fingers.
Il was good to get his hands horse again. II this
was his colt he could get passing boy to give one
or two rides and the colt would be tame enough for
man with leg and half He could ride il to the hills
for the vew or to a church whereall. Maybe when
the hullabaloo from Abilene was over he'd drift back
this way and buy the colt No, send someone to do It.
The girl would remember he been riding the rods, and
il might raise question in her mind, him putting out
the two, three hundred this horse was worth.
No. he could never sec Harriet Byrner again.
He released the rope slapped the bay neck and started
back for the store The pet colt ran alongside him,
nuzzlng at his pockets at the palm Of his swinging
hand wanting more attention. more petne. Lonesome
little devil.
Harriet took the rope from him, and again il
seemed her fingers in hurry to let Of his. She
said: Thanks lot I'd give you the rope but guess
it's no more use to you than it is to Dad"
"You talk plain to man. he said ''You don't care
how much you hurt him.
She shook her head Outside it was getting full dark;
the cold was coming down. There's no need to be
hurt she said mot by what can't be helped never
aimed to be running trackside store and nursing
crippled man and trying to farm twenty acres all at
once. But I'm doing it, and not saying doesn't make
it any easier.
Before he could stop it. his tongue had said: "You
need man..
She nodded. But | couldn't pay one much, al first.
Later on this place could be built into something"
she wanted an that she didn't wait for IT,
She turned and went into the store and threw the arat
the counter with sharp slap. The engines backing
up," he said Its time TO ride
Sure" she said. Thanks for tending the coli"
Hes good COLT Monty said. Hes ready 10
break. Get il done as soon as you can"
The girl said That's the way get everything done
soon as can. I've got TO see Dad" She walked
away her heels firm and ringing the board floor, and
he watched till she was lost in the black shadows Of the
store.
Then he turned and limped down to the track. He
looked up and down. but there were trainmens lam
terms in sight He lowered himself painfully and started
to crawl up the rods.
-Four hours Four hours and little gunwork and
I'll be rich and easy.
That GIRL now that Harriet Byrner. She meant ]
could stay Didn't mean il fresh and sassy, like some
gal a town street, under flare lamp Just meant,
there'd be job that paid beans and a bed, and we'd
Sec She liked me, but she's lady to give herself
away without thinking. But could be useful there.
No. World owed him more than that. The price OF
gone kneecap higher than cerking in tTackside
store blowing twenty He'd ridden free and easy,
and if he couldn't again, he going to get his price,
Twenty, thirty thousand.
There laundering noise and gravel came splitting
up into his face where he lay the rods He looked,
and dark face was pokng at him. peering under the
train.