OCR Text |
Show LEHI FREE PRESS. LEHI. UTAH K rnju 0. . Summoned to the C C ranch In central Walt Candy U on his Nevada. desert-wisray to help his old range partner. Bill Walt is stopped snort by a girl tho Hoi-liste- knot holds a rifle in firing position. Sne him. tells turn how to get to the ranch, and tells turn that they will meet again. Within a quarter of a mile from his destination. Walt is stopped again. This tune by a groman ho tells him to tesque, get out and then tells him the C C crew is in closest town, for an inquest Emigrant, the Someone has been murdered. Riding to the Inquest in Emigrant, Wait leavrs his horse at the livery s'.able. Walt learns that Cash Cameron, owner of the C C ranch, is in trouble. A hard but honest man. Cash has many enemies At the inquest Walt sees Hollister and the girl who had (topped him. Chino Drake, former cook at the C C ranch, has been murdered and Sheriff Ed Battle Is trying to pin the blame on Cash Cameron. The girl is called to the stand. She Is Helen Cameron. Cash's daughter. She seemingly faints and. as Candy rushes to her aid. slips something in his hand. It is the bullet from Drake body. Walt rents a post office box and leaves the bullet in it Leaving the post office he is accosted by a dark, swarthy man who offers him a Job. He draws the man out, finds that he wants to usurp Cameron's public range land. Candy then turns him down in biting fashion. The man leaps at Walt, who whips him after a hard battle. The man is Pete Kelso, foreman of the 77 ranch, an outfit hostile to Cameron. Candy is called to the sheriff office, where he meets Hollister Battle tells Hollister that Cameron is through! Hollister and Candy return to the C C. There they find Cash Cameron and Bent Lavic, the crippled man who stopped Candy on his previous visit. CHAPTER VII Continued "Lavic," said Hollister. "He does that. The swing used to be Helen's. Old Bent fixed it for her when she was little." Facing front again Walt said, "Looks like the devil had chased that Bent Lavic some time, and caught up with him, too! Who is he, anyway?" "He's a story," Hollister answered. "A long one. Tomorrow you and I'll be together, working steers down into the sink. I can talk to you about Lavic then, and about some others." Suddenly the dark face turned into full view. heavy eyebrows were gathered. "How much money have you got, Walt?" "On me?" Hol-lister- 's "Yes." Walt felt himself over; pockets, bill belt, remembered the in his hatband. "Two hundred bucks," he said. "That's paper. A few more in silver and a couple of pesos Mex." Hollister looked away. "Let me have the two hundred." "Sure," said Walt. "When?" "Now," came the answer, and that was all. ten-dolla- r CUAPTER VIII Walt knew, he SOME time tonight, going to see Helen Cameron, alone. That was bound to happen. There was too much at stake be- tween them. Yet when he tramped up to the kitchen door, he was not prepared for the girl who met him. The door opened inward as his boot heels clicked on the stone step outside, and Helen stood there holding it for him to enter. No one was with her, nor in the dining-roobeyond. The boy's shirt was gone, and the boots and blue jeans. She had dressed, and in dressing had made herself a stranger to him, disturbingly feminine in every line of her neat little body. But then the candor of her brown eyes reassured him, lighting quickly as she nodded arch. to a door next the dining-roo"In there," she said. "Leave your things and come back, will you?" Helen Cameron was not beautiful in the white, helpless way of sheltered women. The beauty of this girl was something more; mountain wind had been in her hair and a look of the limitless desert was in her deep-seyes. Her blood was of this open range, and it knew the full hot pulse of hate and passion and love. With a quick smile she brought her eyes back to his. "Let's do the dishes! I'll help. The new cook shouldn't have such a pile to begin on!" She waved toward the heaped sink. "Put those hands in dishwater?" Walt asked, looking down at them with a serious face. He shook his head. "Nope. I'll do my own pearl diving." She dropped him a little bow. " "You are a gallant man, Mr. Her rown head tipped up again and her eyes danced. "That was well said. No other has ever told me that my hands were not made for dishwater!" But then laughter died on her parted lips, and the lift of her shoulders and the rise of her voice were et Gan-dy!- gone. "Come on," she said. "We'll do the dishes." "No," Walt refused. He stood planted, waiting. They had more to talk about than this. Helen turned from him. "Oh, all right then." Slowly she moved across the wide kitchen to a table, and facing him, propped herself against the edge, palms pressed upon the boards, the dress flowing softly autumn-goldown the length of her slender body "You are a gallant man, aren't you?" she asked from that distance. "No, don't blush, I'm not fooling." She smiled a little. Walt Gand" said nothing. "And a determines one, too," said Helen. "Look at that jaw!" d i Us Ulill go aaB-a- :r CENTURY CO. r ha ii Oil Co - .11 s I i tOM IF 9 ti .I ror mar marvelous e- v WNU SERVICE 6H.CW1RE and uncover what has Still he waited. He knew for a nothing better to do than sit in a lit- come here fact she was not fooling with him, tle girl's swing. If it was Bent happened." her back away from He heard in spite of the smile. This light Lavic! Had they all gone to bed and click t then, to be sleeping soundly row? him, heard the door open but there and approach to somewas gor.e. shut. The girl thing filled with grave purpose was About as much as he had! a turmoil of not new. Let the girl take her time. Having shut the door behind him, was left behind her voice, and and her was desperate It fright, Her brown eyes fell and studied Gandy stood uncertain. meant. all it what of black in this shed, blacker than in- the puzzle her slippered feet. and dark in the His stood lid on. a with side the Walt tar barrel Gandy "Walt," she said, unexpectedly in- outstretched No one had asked at found hands swore nothing softly. to understand timate, "I want you first. He took a few cautious steps him to come here and uncover what something. It's about Bill Hollister and touched the log horse where had happened! and me." She hesitated. five had been saddles A lot seemed explained in that. deposited in "All ritht," Candy agreed. "Sure, one row was the a His this the whole C C covering up, inWas evening. go ahead." But for the girl to bring on the nearest end. Groping, he stead of uncovering? Was that it? man in another just now, any man, felt over the smooth leather of three Even Hollister? abruptly cooled him. more. Then there was an empty He strucK a match and swept it "Bill Hollister," he heard her say, space. the saddle rack to the empty along "is one of the finest men I have Someone had saddled and gone. space. The short flare died, but ever known, perhaps the finest. Who? Gandy had an urge to strike Gandy remained rooted, trying to There probably is not another like a match and see at once, yet intui- make reason of what he had seen. him in all the world. In some ways tive For the missing saddle was Cash warning checked that. there simply can't be." reto a stood He for time Cameron's. trying Walt Gandy granted every word. man's Yet hearing from her lips things call the exact placing of eachneither that saddle, remembering would have even himself he CHAPTER X that nor Helen had declared on occasion, now brought Horsethief Fisher brought theirs in here to the rack. a sudden stab of fire. , Their HATEVER ride Cameron had gear was in another shed. A little more forcibly than need left That Lavic, Cameron, Hollister, last night and Gandy taken be, he said, "You aren't telling me and the He shook his head saw signs that it had been a long boy. that You don't know, you, anything! the boy and the crippled man one it had done the old man no Hollister and I were paired in the over . . . whoever had ridden off tonight border patrol for several years? must be on some business more ur- good. The C C owner was worried. In the faintly graying morning he Two men don't hold down that job involve those two. It clumped than could gent stiffly down to where together without each becoming sifted down to Cash Cameron or Bill horses stood ready outside the coris his of sure what partner mighty His exploring hands came rals. He moved with Hollister. with Bill I off of. could made pay back to his sides with a jerk. Beno spring in his everything I've got, or ever will hind him. slowly, the shed door was saddle tiredness, his large shoulders drooping, step, to wouldn't him and debt my have, opening. figure in a rainproof canvas coat be half settled! What are you smilGently Walt lifted the looking heavy and leaden. ing at?" it up into the crook of his When forms appeared out of the "Not at you, Walt," said Helen brought left arm and let it lie there, pointing. faint morning, mounted, and when gently, and her mouth was serious He took a tentative step backranged before him in a half again. "Sometimes a girl smiles to ward along the log saddle horse, all wereBill Hollister gave orders. circle, know from keep crying. Didn't you He turned in his saddle to Camthat? It's a deeper thing than womeron on a tall gray. "I've got plans en ever know, this working companfor the rest of us, Cash; what do ionship between men, and what you have just said is almost word for you figure on doing yourself?" word what Bill Hollister once told "Never mind me," said Cameron. me about you." "You boys can do what combing is She gave herself a little fling from left on the benches. I'll cut west to the table edge and came back the rims and see how feed looks." across the room, and as she stopped, "You riding alone?" Hollister dea fragrance stirred with a current manded. of air that her movement made. "No. The girl's going." She held out her hand. "Good Bill Hollister was foreman of the night, Walt; I'm glad we underC C, but it seemed to Walt Gandy stand each other. That's all I wantnext moment, that even so, he ed to know. I wanted to tell you worked with an unusually high hand to know how I felt about Bill, and on this place. Good how you felt about him. "West," the lank man was saynight." ing, "is toward the 77. What are you taking Helen for, Cash, and why CHAPTER IX that direction? You know well enough how the sink feed looks. If you're figuring . ." out kitchen blew the GANDY He cut himself short, compressed nose outside his poked his mouth, and this C C foreman for a breath of cold air, saw that the and the C C owner sat looking at sky was overcast and the wind had each other eye to eye. Hollister risen. said then: "Well, only one thing. C C foreman's headquarters just We're all to meet back here not off the ktichen was a large square later than three." room, suggesting HolCameron's white head nodded. He lister in its economy of furniture, said nothing. everything for definite use a narHe listened, waiting for it Hollister continued directions. row cot, a chair, a tall chest of to repeat. "Fisher, you and the kid can take drawers and an box, the north bench. Sand Canyon will padlocked. With a match Walt located the cot and flung himself down beginning his retreat with all senses be far enough. Remember, back alert. His second step had not yet here at three." upon it. He rolled a cigarette lywhen there came the fact started Horsethief Fisher gave a wry ing on his back. It was plain to him then that he that someone else was moving. The grin. "Barrin' accidents," he said. air had stirred. would have to go. This was "Gandy and I'll take south through the dusty smell of Willow Spring," Hollister beyond country, Hollister's girl, and theNext ended. fraa he shed breathed certain there was trouble enough here with"We all ought to get these strays out adding more. He would go grance. cleaned up and shoved into the sink "Helen!" through wit,h whatever job Bill had by noon. We might meet there, but Walt Gandy gave out the name in no need to make a cut out for him, then leave. Topoint of it." morrow they were working cattle a whisper. A startled gasp ana Passing vegetable patch to the Aftinto the sink. That promised ac- swered; a sharp indrawn "Oh!" right of the fenced lane he stared tion. He had not forgotten the man er that only the fresh, stirred air with In there the open named Pete Kelso who had been in told him that the girl was still near. cook, Chino curiosity. been found had Drake, town hiring extra hands for the 77. He put out a hand, whispering dead. Hollister rode with his face If those gunmen had been hired, again, "Helen. It's Gandy." His held front. this range war could break wide fingers touched, her dress and she The lane ended, and they turned houi3. The jumped back. He asked, "Shall I open within twenty-fou- r into somber shadow of the pine aftnot in be would end long coming strike a match?" still following a fence that er that, and he could travel. Words burst from her in a voice slope, snaked an irregular way from trunk So with a conclusion reached, held low, hoarse with tension: "No! Walt Gandy rolled another smoke Don't!" Then rapidly, "What are to trunk. They came upon a bucket staples left beside a blazed tree, and started the argument all over. you doing here? What are you look- of with a hooked into a But he took only one drag on it, ing for? You tell me . . . prowling lower of the barbed wire strand like this!" suddenly crushed out the cigarette, fencing. swung himself upright and stood What was he doing here! Gandy "That crazy Lavic!" Hollister exAn in unmisthe dark. motionless stared hard at a faint grayness that takable sound had jerked him up as now, at arm's length, was all he ploded. "No use mending fence out if yanked by a rope. He listened, could see of Helen Cameron's face. this far. Snow'll have it down again this winter." waiting for it to repeat. What was he doing! The reverse ac"Nuts is he?" Walt asked. At a distance, he could not tell cusation stung him. That wasn't "Don't you think it!" how far, cattle had bawled. It had what he had in mind. What was come to him on a wave of night she doing out here? "I don't," said Gandy. wind for only a moment, then the Hollister looked across at him. His gun was holstered; suddenly wind had swept on, and the sound with both arms he reached out, "Queer though, Lavic is." A grin had faded. Yet he stood fixed in its the girl in his hard grip and broke the gravity of his face. "I chill grip. Somewhere out along caught shook her. "I've had enough! I'm guess, Walt, you've come to think the mountain slope cattle were going to find out what's happened. we're all queer on the CC." He bawling at the smell of old blood! Understand? There's been one mur- sobered. "We are. Queer. Worse Never had he buckled on his belt der on this ranch maybe more. Do than queer. Any man is who'll set with such reluctance. Something almost think you himself to have one thing and let know that? you told him that if it was a man dead do! There's a devil of a lot too nothing else matter." Out there, for the good of the C C much under cover on this "I'm all ears," said Gandy after place!" and all its people, the body had best Under his clamped arms the a long silence. "This was to be not be found. Checking the Run s gushed out of her and she your morning to talk. Maybe you full chamber with his finger tips, breath was all at once limp against him, can begin on the easy ones and lead to the window he moved soundlessly for the moment unstruggling, and up to the tougher propositions. Give and raised the sash. was ashamed as if he had me a line on this Horsethief Fisher. Two short wings jutted from the he and was shaking a help- He's a likeable cuss and all right, grabbed long, front part of the CC house. less kitten. figure or isn't he?" From one, Gandy looked across an Words formed to say so, but the Hollister agreed. "Horse-thief'- s "Sure." to Under the other. the inner patio all right now. But he came girl jerked and tore from his hands. overcast sky only the into the country rustling C C stock. "You! Let me go!" outline was .visible; windows there Her voice choked in rage. She Went to jail for it, and then Cash were dark. He threw his log over the sill, touched ground and stepped broke off. He imagined dark eyes bailed him out and made him go to But then she turned him work on the place. Cash is like blazing. out. that. Horsethief has been on th cold with the dead quiet, completeunWith that first next words: C C ever since, and that was fifteen repealed, there was little for him to ly final tone of her Hollister's years ago. Cash took the kid, too, "Call yourself Bill go by in gauging distance and direcfriend! Saying you owe him so Paul Champion, when his old mar! tion. He would rather not be disAnd now, spying! Oh! Oh, died in a gunfight, put him covered saddling and riding out of much. through this place. Secrecy seemed to be I'm glad I watched. Glafd of it, do school and made him one of the know I don't trust you family. He's a good boy, if his the thing here. With the whole you hear? dad's gunning streak is held down ranch crew going their ways under now!" Then there's Bent Lavic." conshe the On instant that also. he'd regained cover, play game A coulee cut the bench Curiosity prompted him to lift the trol of the bitter emotion that had top, and saddle shed latch and step inside. swept her, or else, still bitter, could they put their horses slantwise down Cash Cameron had not showed up yet feel a certain sympathy, for to the bottom, then up the other Bill Hoi she said, "I'm sorry. I am. But side. They jingled on across the after the meal tonight. lister had taken two hundred dol- all I can say is you'd better leave flat. lars. Old Bent Lavic had found this ranch. No one asked yon' to TOtlF.COTlLtD) APPLETON THE STORY THUS FAR F cm MB- sv Jt ti . round-abou- f thirty-eigh- 1 I ti-- BEFORE YOU SAY CORN FLAKES! is: W "l"J " Cope. IIMO b KtUau CtmMf Rather Why Not I had rather it should be asked A man can know nothing of mankind without knowing some- why I had not a statue, than why I had one. Cato. thing of himself. Disraeli. t, QHHCfiBCSaaiS ms?. . Just the thing for serving salads, desserts, vegetables, gravies, etc Imagine it! Getting this lovely serving spoon in the new and romantic Orange Blossom pattern at such a saving! And the adding the rest of the complete sen-ic- d, irgn-bande- d Hol-liste- claw-hamm- same way ! Kni ves,forks,spoons, everything! Do not confuse this with similar offers. For this is Original Rogers plate, carrying the written guarantee of International Silver Co., world's largest silversmiths! Why Offer Is Mada We make this offer as a special inducement for you to try Sunkist Oranges, California's finest. They are wonderfully juicy ...vitamin rich. ..easy to peel, slice ana section... ikr for Juice and Every use! Buy sometoday andsend atonce for your serving spoon. With it, we 11 send tull instructions tor completing your set of thisexquisite, enduring silverplate. Send Now! Today! Just shave the trademarks from 6 Sunkist Oranges with a paring knife and send with 25c and your name and address to Sunkist, Dept. 406Meriden,Conn. This offer good only in U.S.A. if maim lib us-- ' Copyright. 1941). California Fruit Growers Lichantfe er 1 1 low-roofe- d blood-bawlin- g 1 . ( . As Their Character No nation can rise higher than the character of its people. Anon. tSwf bound THEN mm mm all:?5 Secret of Friendship The only way to have a fnena to be one. Emerson you must see OAKLAND! To complete your enjoyment stop at Oakland's favorite, f |