Adventure, December 3, 1920 — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

The Law,Comes to Singing River _ “T ain’t got nothin’ just now to take me up in- to that draw you’re so fussy about, but it’s my own personal opinion that you ain’t got any- thing up there that even looks like a mineral claim.” “Your opinion don’t bother me _ none, Bransom; an’ I don’t figure to let you bother me none, either.” “Meaning you’d rather pick your own ac-: quaintances?”’ “You know very well what I mean, Bransom.” “Seems like you get acquainted mighty quick in some quarters.” sneered Bransom. “Tt don’t get you,” said Lang. “Oh well, think it over, Mr. Langworth.” The angry blood leaped to Lang’s throat. It was the name he had given the girl. Bransom had heard, and now he was casting a slur. There had been a glint of triumphant malice in his eyes when he had spoken the name. Lang’s hand itched to go for his gun but instead he spoke in a calm, cool voice— “Don’t let it go any further than that, Bran- som, or I’ll give you a legitimate chance to test your draw.” Bransom with rage blazing from his eyes took the taunt in silence and remained motionless. In another moment his opportunity to answer the challenge seemed to have passed, for he re- laxed. . Lang contemptuously turned his back partly upon him. ; “Vou ready to go, Condon?” he asked. “Why—yes,” said Condon, hesitating. “Then come on,” snapped Lang as he led the way into the store. With Condon assisting he filled the pack- sacks and then slung the load on the bay horse which he had ridden down. The tools he se- cured om top the pack. The dynamite was placed in the tops of the sacks. Lang led the animal and Condon followed on his horse, Thus they crossed the bridge and turned up the valley. “Must be you don’t take to prospectors,” re- marked Kane to Bransom when he had turned to the barroom, ‘Prospector !’ snarled Bransom. ‘With riding-boots, and talkin’ about filin’ a claim? Filin’! You didn’t hear him mention the word ‘locatin’, did you?” “Well what’s a word got to do with it?” asked Kane. é “Just this much, you fool. ‘Filin’, is a prairie word—that man’s from the lowlands.” ‘An’ the other fellow’s from the flat country, too,” put in Frued. “What’s the idea in two men from the other side pullin’ in here in the night and buryin’ themselves in that draw?” asked Bransom in a low voice. between ’em? Buying stuff here when they ‘“‘Prospectin’—with only two horses . could have brung it in with ’em cheaper? What do you make out of it, Kane?” “Tt’s past me,” answered Kane in a worried voice. “Then you’re a plumb fool,” rasped Bransom. “T’m going to find out the meaning of that dead- line. eres § s—~| IN A small cabin in the narrow gulch e behind the town Bransom and Frued A, 7 sat at a table finishing their noon-day repast. “T’d think we best lay off that fellow,” Frued was saying. Bransom responded with a flood of curses, but the other was unaffected by this display of passion. “eas much as called the turn when you hinted that he might prefer women acquaint- ances to men—meaning, I suppose, that girl,” Frued went on; “‘an’ he was waitin’ for you to make a move to draw.” “An’ I -«<ame Bransom savagely. “T dunno; that chap looks like he might be some on the draw himself. He’s had experience on the range, I’d bet the last drop of liquor on earth.” “T’d have given him a chance to prove it if it hadn’t been. because——” Bransom bit off his sentence with a click of his teeth. ‘ “Because it would have meant that we’d have to move on,. eh?” said Frued. ‘That would suit me. I think we’ve stayed here too long as it is.” “Tt ain’t time to go yet.” “Bransom, can’t you get that girl out of yore head? We could have got out of here a year ago if it hadn’t been for - “Shut up!” roared Bransom. “TI ain’t hold- ing you here. If you’re so anxious to go why don’t you clear out? It won’t disturb me none if you want to break up this partner affair.” “That’s all right; I'll stick,” said Frued in a soothing voice. ‘Only there’s nothing to be afraid of now that things has smoothed over, and any time yo’re ready to go out we can go.” “ll tell you when I’m ready,” grumbled Bransom. “Well, that’s all right with me, Bransom; and I’m a-thinking you'll be ready to go before long.” With this remark Frued rose from the table and set about the work of clearing away the dishes. Bransom left the cabin, saddled his horse and rode down to town. As he was preparing to alight in front of the store he saw a girl riding down the valley. Bransom smoothed his hair near boring him,” said .OO = a (C@) 25. . (C@