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Show SALT FLAT NEV.S, SPRING - SUMMER, Tire Cep That Fouled Up Satan's Last Trip By Floyd Eaton, C -- & LA International Ranger .t Avid readers of the Salt Flat News will remember Floyd Eaton as the colorful storyteller who held them spellbound through five installments of his first serialized novel. Queen of Blood. In this issue Mr. Eaton, or Deputy Dump, as he is fondly called by the citizens of Wendover, at whose disposal he lives and works, contributes an exciting new work of original fiction. Whereas Queen of Blood was largely derivative of Eaton's own exploits as a soldier of fortune and international ranger, his second effort is entirely the product of imagination. Part III CONCLUSION On the boat back home, I tried to strike up a few new acquaintances at the ship's bar. But all those people were much younger, and I had nothing in common with them. Also they wanted to dance and drink, and I wasnt in any condition to appreciate such pastimes. Nevertheless I gave it a good try. Perhaps thats what caused the little accident the day before the boat docked in New York. Little acwas what the Limey cident doctor described it, but I noticed that he looked very grave when he told me to stay in bed, and he would call an ambulance to meet the liner at the dock to take me to the hospital. At the hospital, all the expensive treatment and the expensive smiles and words didnt fool me any. I was an old man with a bad heart, and they thought that I was going to die. But I could fool them. I still had the watch. I found it In my coat pocket when I put on my clothes and sneaked out of the hospital. I could cheat death, I didn't have to die. I was intending on doing it with a single gesture, all out under a free sky and as a free man. That was the real secret to happiness. I understood it all now. Even friendship didnt mean as much as freedom. This was the best thing of all, to be free of friends, family and the furies of the flesh. I walked slowly beside the embankment under the night sky. Come to think of it, I was just about where I first started from, so many years ago. But the moment was good, good enough to prolong forever. I smiled as I thought of it, then the smile twisted sharply and suedeniy like the pain in my chest. The world began to spin and I fell by the embankment. I couldnt see too well, but I was still conscious, and knew what had happened. Another stroke, and a bad one. Maybe this was it. Except I wouldnt be a fool any longer. I wouldn't wait and see what was around the next corner. It was time for me to use my power and save my life. I was going to do it too, I could still move; nothing could stop me. I groped in my pocket and pulled out the old watch, fumbling with the stem. Just a few twists nd I would cheat death, I would then not have to keep my promise to ride that long black train. I could go on forever. I had never really considered those words before. To go on forever but how? Did I want to go on forever like this, a sick old man lying helpless in the grass? No I couldnt and wouldn't do it. Suddenly I felt like crying, for somewhere along the line I knew that I had out smarted myself. Now it was too late. My eyes were dimming, there was a roaring in my ears... I recognized the roaring, and was surprised to see the train come rushing out of the fog and up there on the embankment. I wasn't surprised w hen it stopped and the conductor climbed off and walked slowly toward me. He hadn't changed any. Even that silly grin was still the same. Hello SancheC he said. All aboard. I know," I whispered. But you will have to cany me. I can't walk. I am not even talking anymore really, am I? Yes, you are," said the conductor. I can hear you fine. And you can walk too." He leaned down and ptaced his hand on my chest. There was a moment of icy numbness, and sure enough I would walk after ail He helped me up, an I followed him along the slope, to the side of the train. In here? he ask. No. The next car. The conductor moaned. I guess that you are entitled to ride a pull-maafter ail. You are quite a successful man. You have tasted the joy of wealth, position and prestige. Known the pleasure of marriage and fatherhood. Sampled the delights of dining, drinking and debauchery, too, traveled high, wide and handsome. So lets not have any last minute recriminations." Okay, I said. I cant blame you for my mistakes. Neither can you take credit for what happened, either. Everything I got, I worked and done on my own. The old watch I didnt need." You really did," said the conductor, with a smile. Will you please give it back now?" For the next sucker?" I asked. Perhaps," he answered. The way he said that made me look up. I tried to see his eyes, but his cap brim held them Tell me in a deep shadow. something," I asked softly, if I give it to you, what will you do with it?" Throw it just as far as I can," said the conductor, is all I w ill do w ith it." And he held out his hand. What if someone would find it and twist the stem and stop n 1973 3 Just a trick? Heh? An ordinary old watch, heh? I didnt say that. Just nobody has ever turned the stem backward. They are all just like you, Sanchez. Waiting for that moment of perfect happiness to come along." An again he held out his hand. You are a damn crook, I said. You did cheat me." No, Sanchez, you cheated yourself, now you will have to ride my train." He pushed me up those steps. The train at once began to move, and the whistle screamed. I stood there in the swaying pull-malooking at the other passengers. It didn't seem any stranger than any other pullman I had ridden. So here were all those drunks, gamblers and big time spenders, the skirt chasers and all the jolly good time crew. They knew where they were going, of course, but they didnt seem to care. The windows had blackout shades, for it was light inside. They were really living it up, laughing, singing, passing the jug and rolling the dice and flipping the pasteboards. I had never seen such a pleasant bunch before, they were going to be nice traveling companions. Itlooked like they were enjoying themselves. It wont be so jazzy after we Yonder, and again he retched for the watch. "A bargain is a bargain." Yeap," I said. I agreed to ride your old train, if 1 could stop time when I had found the right moment of happiness. Right now I am about the happiest I have ever been ojr ever will be. I took the watch by its stem. No! No!" shouted the conductor. But the stem had already rotated. Do you realize what you have done?" he yelled. Now we shall never reach that Depot! All of us shall be riding forever now! I know, I said smiling, the fun is only in the trip, not the destination. That much you did teach me. And a wonderful trip I am looking forward to. And after all, now you wont be having any more use for this old watch, so 1 shall just keep it. And, my friend, I shall tell you something that you just havent ever thought of. You have at this moment tricked your last victim. They all shall from now on have a happier home and a different land than yours. Remember, a cop is always a cop, and he Is forever thinking of the welfare of the public and their protection, even after death. At that moment the shrill ringing of the phone woke me up. You ail will have to admit, it was one hell of a dream. (End) n reach that depot-Way-down- - time?" Nobody would do that even if they knew," said the i 10,000 COYOTES CAN'T BE WRONG FOR ADriTIONAL INFORMATION CALL 1 OR WRITE UTAH WOOL GROWERS 359-39- 7 EAT UTAH LAMB 1 i . Utah's only authentic occult supply center ASTROLOGY MAGIC METAPHYSICS ; 323 front zz Complete selection of books Courses in Astrology Tarot h frialr-fra- il LakrCiig.Utah & B supplies Psionics IUl-ca- 3G-- J 11113 |