15 Western Short Stories — page 30: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

30 Hepler came, and Bess and he fell in love, Steve Roskin developed a hatred for Hepler, belittling him to her and her uncle. Then there came a day when Bess told Steve Roskin to stop bothering her. She wanted none of him, she said. She was going to marry Frank Hepler. “That gun you found, Uncle Mart’s 45,’ she explained to Lucas, “was broken again...something about a spring. Steve Roskin said he would fix it, and Uncle Mart gave it to him. He fixed it...and killed Frank Hep- ler with it. Don’t you understand, Sheriff Lucas? With Frank dead, and Uncle Mart blamed for his murder because of that quarrel here in town, I’d be alone in the world, with no pro- tection from menfolks...” “Tell me about that quarrel ‘tween your uncle and Hepler,” the sheriff interrupted. “That needs some ex- plainin’. It makes it look bad for your Uncle Mart. Him warnin’ Hepler to keep away from you and all.” It had nothing to do with her uncle not favoring her marriage with Hep- ler, she explained. He had favored it all along, had seemed glad she had found a man who loved her and would marry her and make her a home. 4 hewn QUARREL was about the . gold strike. Hepler had explained to her uncle that they should make a deal with a big syndicate, and wanted to write for experts to come and ex- amine the property. The gold was there, but a fortune would be needed to mine it properly. Only a syndicate could supply machinery, mining en- gineers. Her uncle hadn’t understood. He thought it would be better to retain complete ownership and control. Hep- ler had tried to explain how they might be duped, how a hundred things would delay their progress. So they had quarreled about it, Bess said. She admitted that her uncle had a bad temper. And he had told her about the quarrel, was ashamed of it, said he would apologize to Frank. But in the heat of the quarrel he had accused Frank of trying to make a deal with the syndicate to cheat him. “And so, when they quarreled, he just said for Hepler to keep away WESTERN SHORT STORIES from you...is that it?” the sheriff asked. “He scarcely knew what he said, I guess, That’s the way he was when he got mad.” The sheriff rose and went to the window and looked out while he thought it over. Bess remained sitting on the cot. Finally, Lucas turned back to her, “Does Steve Roskin know about the gold?” “T don’t know, Sheriff Lucas. Uncle Mart thought he was followed and watched ona couple of his trips to the countyseat, but wasn’t sure. I don’t even know what made him think it. If Steve does know, maybe he figured he could marry me and get his hands on the gold, too, me being my uncle’s only heir.” “So you think Steve Roskin might try to kill you then tonight to stop your mouth?” “That’s the way I figure, Sheriff Lucas. If he makes the try, you'll know.” “Wouldn't put it past Steve, to tell you the truth,’ the sheriff grunted. “And if Steve did it, I’m bettin’ his brother Clyde knows all about it too.” “He probably does. They’re thick,” Bess said. The lawman searched her eyes. “And you still want:to take the risk?” “That’s why I’m here.” “All right then, Bess. I’m hopin’ it works out ‘thout you bein’ hurt. I'll leave now, pretendin’ I’m goin’ for the night. Pll have the two men I trust stationed near. I’ll be watchin’ outside myself. “You keep in a safe corner, Bess. If he slips up to that barred window and starts shootin’, we’ll get him. Roll up that blanket on the cot and make it look like you're sleepin’ there. The light from the lantern will be faint, ‘cause I’ll turn it low.” HE WATCHED the sheriff leave the cell and lock the door. She heard him whistling in the little office, then call out to somebody on the street, and heard his whistle dwin- dle as he evidently walked across the street and started for his home. The window had a network of steel bars over it, but was open from the GOMIGIOO SS C© inn