Western Story Magazine, May 12, 1934 — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

44 Street & Smith’s a good cell, and you may visit him. ‘However, you must remember Al has been with Sanchez, also that he did kill Beasley, an officer who was trying to arrest him.” “Ym not forgetting that for a moment,” she told him; “that is why I’m hiring Judge Ritchie.” The deputy took his departure, confident he had not been talking to a woman outlaw, something he thought possible when he first called. Alice remained in her room that evening, but an open window brought voices from the street, and she listened attentively, trying to gauge the townsfolks’ temper. Toa man they were in an angry mood, but it was the anger of smart peo- ple who had been cleverly outwit- ted. They had found no gold at Sundown Creek; the bank had been robbed during their absence, and a genial old prospector had vanished. ~ It looked like a Sanchez job. How much longer, they asked each other, would the Texas Rangers let the outlaw get away with his raids? “How many of you want to walk into the Hole and get him?” some one asked. “There’s ten thousand dollars reward on his head, and you don’t see me trying to collect; nor you, nor you. There ain’t men - enough in this part of Texas to take that Hole. I used to be a Ranger myself. Jud Tremper may have drifted when Sanchez’s name was mentioned, but the rest of the out- fit hasn’t quit. Now that Beasley’s dead, we’ve got a chance to do a little house cleaning hereabouts, and I’m in favor of it, so let’s quit belly- achin’ because Sanchez, or whoever it was, got us out of town and robbed the bank.” After that the tone of the men on the street changed, and Alice felt: Al would at least receive justice. Western Story Magazine TELEGRAM from Judge A Ritchie stated he would ar- rive within a week. Alice was reading this when Sally Geary called. She was followed by her fa- ther, who twisted his hat in his hand and unburdened his conscience. “Alice,” he growled, “I told Sally if she had anything to do with Al, I'd = horsewhip her. And—I would’ve. I was wrong. The way Beasley swooped down on the Twin F told me there was something queer about it. I snooped a bit and found Delaney, a friend of Beasley’s, did brand Twin F calves. Al com- plained, and they just laughed at him. Being hot-tempered and young, he threw in with Sanchez, and that’s just what was wanted. Al got caught, and Beasley tried to murder him by degrees in that cussed cell.” “So far, it looks as if you were right,” Alice said. “Darned right I’m right!” Chris Geary roared. “Come to think about it, two, three smal]l ranchers died in jail, and later Beasley picked up their ranches for a song. Well, I said to myself, ‘Chris Geary, Sal- ly’s the finest gal in the world, and she’s in love with Al. Al’s gettin’ a raw deal, so, by gosh, Chris, back them young kids to the limit’ So I’m here. Alice, we’ll mortgage that ranch and throw the money into the pot for Al’s defense.” “Chris, you’re grand,” Alice ex- claimed, wiping her eyes, “‘but the money’s been provided. Shall we go over and see Al, Sally?” “Oh, can we?” Sally cried. Alice, with the Gearys, walked to the jail on the edge of town. A new jailer greeted them and answered Alice’s request: “Sure, you can see him. We don’t stand for any nonsense, but we give & prisoner a square deal. There’s..