Western Story Magazine, May 12, 1934 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

Outlaws Of Calico Hole “And leave behind a ranch you’ve worked years on,” Alice said. “Yes,” he said, “leave it to who- ever is tryin’ to grab the finest range in Texas. But a man can stand seein’ hisself in a damp cell, slowly changin’ to a mummy, for just about so long.” “T don’t blame you, Bud,” Alice replied; “life is sweet. If I can get Al away from that jail, and keep him frem returning to the Sanchez crowd, then I'll gladly ride away and leave Calico Springs to whoever it is that 1s trying to grab the coun- try. Yes, I'll go, much as I detest quitting this range. Quitting is hateful to me, but twins are closer than many brothers and sisters. Al is all I have in the world. He comes first.” She smiled sympathetically at the other. “Good luck, Bud!” “Thanks, and plenty of the same to you,” Coe replied. He was think- ing she would need luck if Al es- caped not only the jail, but return- ing to Sanchez’s gang. And, above all, escaped the price Dan Stuart would ask for aiding him in the jail break. Gradually the conviction had grown on Coe that Stuart was not one who did things for nothing. Perhaps it was this feeling which prompted him to turn and say, “This Stuart claims to have fallen in love with your picture, Alice.” The girl’s smooth cheeks flushed with resentment; there was a defi- nite tightening around her jaw. “He talked about me among those prisoners?” she gasped. “Nothing as bad as that—he just mooned a lot over your picture, ac- cordin’ to Al,’ Coe answered. . again, thinking she might read between the lines. “Two horses hitched to a buckboard,” she reflected, “two saddles horses, and : LICE FORD studied the note il an extra girl. Well, there’s only one girl I could, or should ask to take the risk—Sally Geary. She loves Al enough to go through with it — and not back down if we-run into a streak of bad luck.” Thursday morning Alice selected the finest horses on the ranch for her purpose, hitched two to the buckboard, tied the others behind, then loaded canteens and saddles onto the buckboard. She arrived at Chris Geary’s little ranch at noon. A girl as slim and graceful as Al- ice hurried from the house. The sunlight flashed from her dark-red hair, and her full lips curved in a happy smile. There was a gleam of even, white teeth. “She’s beautiful,’ Alice thought, “and she'll make Al a grand little wife—putting on the brakes when he’s in a reckless mood, patting him on the back when he needs it.” sighed. “If we can only get them out of the country.” The two girls kissed and stood looking at each other with sympa- thetic understanding. “It’s been so long : since we've seen him,” Sally said wistfully. “Yes, but read this,” Alice an- swered, extending the ‘note. “It’s from Dan Stuart, who wants to help Al escape.” “Why?” Sally demanded. “Why does he want to help Al? I’m sus- picious. Strangers who do favors often have an ax to grind.” She read the note through twice. “Of course, I’m the other girl.” She glanced at a pasture where a bulky man was working. “Dad’ll give me a hiding if he ever hears I helped Al or anybody to break jail, but 'm eighteen, and I know my own mind.” Eighteen seems to be very old to any one who is eighteen or younger. “Tl explain P’'m taking two horses to town,” Alice suggest na des. corm She > »