THE STORY Garrett O'Hara, young lawyer, on his way to practice at Con- cho, wild western town, is shot at from ambush. He hears the desperado who fired the shot, Shep Sanderson, talking to Bar- bara Steelman, who thought the AAT~ shot was directed at her, Judge rett’'s resemblance to Warner convinces Barbara that Sanderson fired at Garrett think- ing he was Warner, She advises Garrett not to go to Concho, cen- ter of a big cattle war, He in- sists, Shs tells him to see Steve Worrall, In town Sanderson picks a fight with Garrett and is get- ting the worst of it when In- gram, cattle baron, interrupts. Worrall tells Garrett about the cattle war between Ingram and Steelman. CHAPTER III re Bn “If Not For Us, Against Us” O'Hara had no difficulty finding the place for which he was looking. There were only two large stores in the town. The one at this end had a long sign along the front which read: “INGRAM & HARVEY." Into the big adobe building O'Hara walked. Five or six men were lounging near the front of the store. All of them were openly armed. Some wore a holster swung low on the front thigh. One had his harnessed to the breast, Two carried a pair of revolvers. More than one had a rifle also. Two men were In the little shut off from the rest of the One of them was Ingram. He to O'Hara. “Come in. Meet my Harvey.” To Harvey he said: this is the man 1 was tellin’ about.” Harvey was a short, thickset man with hard, protruding eyes. His face was pallid, his mouth a slit narrowed by thin lips tightly pressed together. A ruthless man, one might guess, but without the character that gave his partner individuality. “Glameechou,” he unlocked his lips to say, all in one gulped word. f he was glad he did not look It. There was no expression whatever in his chalky eyes. “Where you asked Ingram. The Easterner told him. He an- swered other questions, put sharpiy and incisively., Where had he studied law? Who did he know in Concho? Why had he come here? O'Hara had taken an instant dislike to Harvey, but he did not feel the same toward his partner. It was odd, too, he reflected later. Evidently It was a matter of personality. This bronzed handsome man, who carried himself with such lithe ease, came none too well recommended. He could snuff out a human life with no regret. Undoubtedly he was unscrupulous, probably a cow thief. But he had the force that goes with a strong acter, either good or bad. Masterful he was and always would be. “How come you to start trouble with Shep Sanderson?’ asked Harvey, speaking for the first time since his word of gulped greeting at intro. duction, “Did I'start trouble with him. Mr. Harvey?" O'Hara replied, a stee'y note in his voice. “He shot at me from ambush while I was on the pub- le road. Later he assaulted me In a dance hall. Afraid we differ In our points of view.” “I'm not chewin' words but talkin’ turkey. Shep's ugly as galvanized sin when he's sore at anyone. Well, he's sore at you." Ingram flung this aside with a £08. ture. “Forget about Shep. He" lay off this young fellow. I'll see to that” He turned abruptly to the lawyer, “How about you, O'Hara? Can you live under yore own hat? Will you stand by yore boss long as there's a button on Jabe's coat? Have you got sand in yore craw?" office store. called partner, Mr. “Tom, you from, Mr. O'Hara?” char- O'Hara answered, In the low, gentle voice that was sometimes so decep- tive, since it led men to believe that he was meek, “To take your questions in order, Mr. Ingram: I do not talk about my clients’ affairs, if that's what you mean. Nor do 1 sell out to the opposition when 1 engage to carry on legal business. Only time will tell whether 1 am too timid to live in Concho.” “Listen, O'Hara,” sald Ingram. look- ing straight at him. “Wait till I tell you the line-up. We're startin’ a finish fight against Wes Steelman. He's run the San Marcos country long enough. He sure can't come up here into the hills and dictate what's what, It's a showdown. We're callin’ his hand. Our friends are his enemies. His friends are our enemies, Everybody that amounts to a tinker's dam will have to choose which side he'll be on." “Why? Why not be peutral?’ “If you're mot for us you're against us.” O'Hara rose from the chair where he was sitting. “I don't accept that conclusion, Mr. Ingram. But let me first reply to your offer. 1 decline it. I won't be anybody's man and wear a ollar round my neck. I'll not engage po support a cause beyond the point where it seems to me just. You want me to be your lawyer and yet tie me hand and foot. I can’t do it. No man of spirit could.” “Then you'd better get right out of Concho. You're not wanted here” Ingram sald bluntly, “Why? I'm not In this fight. I've nothing to do with it. I don't Intend to have.” “You chuckle-headed fool, you'll be in it an’ out of it tuside of three days “Shep All If you stay,” Harvey jeered. Sanderson will take care of that. we've got to do Is say the word.” “Why should you say It?" asked O'Hara, his eyes steadily on Ingram. “I've done you no harm. I'm not in this fight against you. ' I'm a stranger here and intend to take no part in it.” Ingram gave a short scornful bark of laughter, “You're one of these fel- lows that know it all an’ can't be told anything. All right, Play yore own hand. Suits me if it does you. But before you walk out of this room listen to me. It's good medicine, what I'm tellin’ you. There's not a gather of beeves In this country that either Wes Steelman or I haven't a hand in, not a ton of freight moves that one of us ain't Interested In directly or in- directly. If you can read yore title clear to practice law here an' not do business with the one or the other of us you'll sure have to be fed by the ravens. You got to make yore cholce if you stay here—him or me, one.” The other partner cut In unpleas. antiy: “Maybe he's made It, Dave. I reckon he's already tied up with Steelman.” O'Hara looked at never even met him,” touch of anger. “You might of met his agent where you come from. We'll know right soon where you're at, young fellow.” The jeering voice was an Insult The lawyer's jaw set. “I don't have to explain my private business to you, Mr. Harvey. I'm a citizen of a country.” At which Harvey laughed maliclous- ly. “All right, Mr. Free Citizen, go right on down the road an’ see where you head in" There was something inhu- man, about that laughter. It was with- out any of the milk of natural kind- ness in it. Later, remembering It, O'Hara was able better to understand some of the events that followed. Ingram rose. “All right. 'Nough said. Adios, Mr. O'Hara,” he cut in by way of curt dismissal. O'Hara turned away, not without regret. He had made the only choice possible to him. None the less, he was sorry. The personality of this strong fighting cattle man rather fas- cinated him. He caught sight the Innocent Bystander and stopped to say “Good morning.” Worrall was standing in the road, one foot on the hub of a wagon wheel, He was giving instrue- tions to a mule skinner about to start on a two-hundred-and-fifty miles drive to the rallroad. He finished what he had to say to the teamster and then strolled over toward the Gold Nugget, in front of which O'Hara was waiting, Out of the Gold Nugget came a young man. He was a slight boyish fellow in the garb of a cowboy: high- heeled boots, flannel shirt, open waist. coat, wide gray hat, and two six shooters. His eyes were a very light cold blue, his chin receded, two prom. inent buck teeth showed. He seemed friendly and amiable, and on the whole was not bad looking. O'Hara remem- bered him as one of the young fel- lows In Ingram's store. He stopped to grin at Worrall “How's the temperature up where you live, Shorty 7 The freighter smiled down at him from his six feet plus. “Meet Mr. Harvey, ‘I've he sald with a free cruel, of “We're Startin’ a Finish Fight Against Wes Steelman.” O'Hara, Bob. Mr. O'Hara, hands with Bob Quantrell.” This ceremony concluded, Quantrell remarked that It was right hot for so early In the summer and continued, spurs trailing, on his casual way, Worrall lowered his volee. “You may like to know that you've Just shaken hands with a real killer. Bob Quantrell has bumped off a heap of men in his time." O'Hara was amazed. “That boy? Why, he can't be more than nineteen or twenty." “Eighteen last month. He told me #0 himself, I can name seven or eight he's killed, an’ the story Is that's not more’n half of those he has got.” “He doesn't look like a desperate character.” “I didn't say he was” Worrall fa shake murred. “But he sure would make yore friend Shep Sanderson look like a nickel Mex If they got In a rumpus. Say, I got news for you. There's an. other stranger In town, an' the boys are expectin’ some fun. He's a belted earl.” “A what?" “That's what we call these rich Eng- lishmen that maverick around.” “What's he doling here?” “I dunno. He'll go Into cattle an’ drop a fortune. They all do. Condi- tions here ain't what they been nsed to. He parts his name in the middle, Smith-Beresford Is what he calls him- self.” At dinner, which of course was In the middie of the day, O'Hara had his first opportunity to see the English- man, Smith-Beresford was a round ruddy man In riding boots and breeches, He had the clean scrubbed look characteristic of some of his race. Job Quantrell came into the hotel to get dinner and sat down in the only vacant chair at the long table, It hap. pened to be next to Smith-Beresford, and the Englishman at once engaged him In talk. O'Hara noticed that Quantrell's voice was low and soft. At first he was Inclined to be reserved, but evi- dently the overseas man took fancy, for he warmed up and ceased to answer In dinner was over he and the English. man had thelr heads together and were planning a bear hunt, Afterward the two disappeared. Smith-Beresford hand taken the young fellow to his room to show him lection of hunting guns he had brought. Later they came back to the lobby, the Brit- isher guest to the front door. “We'll have a jolly good hunt, chap,” he said. “I'll depend on you to look after the horses and that sort of thing. I suppose you know a horse when you see one.” “I think so.” “Then, by Jove, pin’ time.” O'Hara departed. he met Steve Worrall, The owner of the Longhorn corral wasted no words In greeting. “Judge Warner pected an’ administrator Hughes, was wearin®' an arsenal, a dozen his monosyliabiles, lefore the colle accompanying his old good we'll have a rip- On the street come through as ex- appointed Wes Steelman of the estate of Jess ‘Most every man in the room Wes had half gunmen with him an' so did Dave. Wouldn't have surprised me if war had started right there an’ then, but I reckon the orders were for none of the boys to make a play. Well, soon now, That's ny guess.” Worrall spoke In a low voice, for walls sometimes had ears. Concho was & town divided against itself. Sples and partisans were everywhere, “Isn't there any way of stopping it? Couldn't they compromise?” “They could, but they won't.” Wor- rall answered. “Miss Barbara, she's worked on Wes consid'rable, but he's stubborn as a government mule. An’ talkin’ about angels, If we can't hear the rustle of their wings. Look who's sashayin’ down the road.” O'Hara looked. A party of riders was coming down the dusty street. Those in advance were a grizzled, heavy-set man In his late forties and a young woman whom O'Hara at once recognized at Barbara Steelman. Miss Steelman spoke to the man be. side her and the party drew up be- side Worrall and the lawyer. There were seven men In the group, all armed with rifles as well as six. shooters, “This is Mr. woman said, father, you ™ Wesley Steelman's strong face had O'Hara,” the young “Mr. O'Hara, this is my I've been tellin’ him about Confirming the honeybee’s reputa. tion for diligence, the United States Department of Agriculture recently learned that a bee will sometimes fly as much as eight miles and return with its minute load. Under such circum. stances a gingle pound of honey would represent approximately 18.000 trips of 16 miles each, or nearly 300,000 miles of flight by bees, In a locality in Wyoming where irri- gated alfalfa Is virtually the only source of honey the department placed some hives eight miles from the near. est nectar supply. The bees made dally trips to the alfalfa, loaded with honey, and returned. Since the bees flew this distance regularly, the de- Helpful Hint “Here! now!” yelled Constable Slackputer of Petunia. “What In tor ment d' ye mean fiddling and phil andering all over the streets with that automobile the way you've been a-do- ing today?" “This Is my first car,” answered the offender, “and I baven't more than half learned how to drive it yet. I want to turn around, but there doesn't seem to be room enough in any of the streets here” “Well, you just drive over to Tor pidville, six miles away, elrcumnavi- ‘gate the public square there, come back here and you'll be turned around.” wKanuas City Star tanned to a leathery brown by a thou- sand summer suns and winter winds. Deep blue eyes looked straight at the man to whom he was being Introduced, He had fought his way up from the ranks, asking no man's favor, rising by sheer force of will and brain to the position he held of cattle king of the San Marcos, Looking at him, O'Hara could understand why. He was a man’s man, with a frank and friendly manner. Probably generous and kindly to those who supported him, “Glad to have you with us, Mr. O'Hara,” he sald heartily, and swung from the saddle to shake hands with the lawyer. “My daughter says you think of stayin’ here. Hope you de- cide to do 80. We can use some good citizens.” “That's not what 1 told him,” Bar- bara said, smiling at the young man. “Fact, just the same. Time this country was gettin' civilized, Mr. O'Hara, lemme make you acquainted with my friends. Shake hands with Jack Phillips an' Texas Jim." While O'Hara's hand passed from one strong grip to another he became aware that another group of horsemen was approaching, They abreast, in two rows. Ingram was in front, Harvey left, and DBob Quantrell on the right and nearest the rode three on his other group. As they passed Insolently, gaily. good-by to each other” he murmured, Just loud enough to be heard. “Well, You never can tell’ Lyulph Quantrell laughed, “They're gavin’ Harcourt came down the street. Steelman party, Al the big cattle man Smith-Beresford He joined the ady he had met and his da With a lift of the hand toward the lawyer, Barbara sald: “Make yon sc quainted with Mr. O'Hara, Mr. Sm Beresford.” yh, 8 iter The two men shook hands, Mn spoke: along home, u out tomorrow mo '. Mr. Smith Beresford. Better bring Mr. O'Hara with you. We'll show you some good huntin' and fishin’, “Afr: I'd be trouble, Steelman,” O'Hara sald. much to accept the Invi “Not in the man answered carelessly if don't want iid some Ar desiring tation, world,” the eattle. “We don’ You, any nsk you O'Hara" “Then I'l} After the Steelman party had ridden we certainly come away the Englishman dismoun tied his horse to a hitch rack “I say, Mr. O'llara, feel like and 8. O'Hara did not, but he walked Int the nearest saloon with the They down at a smal table and the Easterner took a sma glass of beer. They chatted for a At first they were al bartender, but presently three or four men came in. One of them was young Bob Quantrell, another San- derson. The Ingram men were standing at the bar, ready to drink. Sanderson became aware that there were two other men In the saloon. Scarcely looking In their direction, he waved them forward. “On me. Everybody drink.” There was arrogance In the Invitation, which was almost Aa command. The two men at the table did not move, Sanderson swung his head me? Come an’ drink.” Then he recognized first O'Hara, and afterward the Englishman. His hand slid slowly toward the butt of his 44 and he moved a step or two toward the sitting men. “So it's you, eh?" His shallow cruel eyes rested on O'Hara. They nar rowed, taking on a curious glitter. “Well, you ain't teacher's pet any longer, young fellow, see, an’ you're my meat. Me talkin'—Shep Sander. son. Understand? Smith-Beresford did other ten derfoot. wut few minutes e except for the Shep “Hear not, at least, partment agriculturists assume they might fly even farther if necessary, Flying these 16-mile trips, however, some bees fail to return home because sand storms overtake them, or head winds impede them. Laden with honey, they are forced to rest often on the way home, particularly when fly- ing into the wind or in cool weather. When they reach the hive after such long trips they often make abnormal landings and frequently fail to alight at the entrance of the hive. — A ——————— Great Medical Discovery A young Canadian surgeon, Dr. F. G. Banting, returned from four years of service at the front in the World war with the idea of the new remedy, Insulin. He submitted his plans to Professor MacLeod of the University of Toronto, and under the latter's di- rection, with the assistance of Mr, CO. H. Best and others, experimentsfiyore begun in May, 1021. After a prelim. inary trial of the remedy on himself, Doctor Banting saw the first case of diabetes to be trested with insulin to receive his Injection in the Toronto General hospital, January 10, 1022 This date marks an Important discoy- ery in modern medicine, Wall at High Altitude Some of the mountains over which the famous Chinese wall was bullt ranged as high as 5.000 feet, He rose to his feet. “See here, my man, you've been drinking. You mustn't come in and [nterrupt gen. tlemen-—" “What!” roared the gunman, “Who in hot Mexico are you to tell me what 1 must an’ mustn't do? Listen, fel- low! 1 saw you pow-wowin’ with old man Steelman a while ago. I'm gonna make It two right now. Both of you cash In, you an’ the other tenderfoot, too, onless you talk me outa the no- tion, an’ I'll bet my boots you ain't got a chance In the world te do it.” Still the Englishman falled to realize the perilous position in which he and O'Hara stood. He would not believe that in a fraction of a second the bar- rel of the revolver might be thrown down on him and a finger crooked that would send death roaring at him. This fellow Sanderson was a drunken bully and he did not propose to put up with it The plump little man strutted for- ward, his face flushed with annoyance. “He'll Give You a Game His Own Self, Hooray!” *, my man, If you rome in here and bully me" O'Hara interrupted, to cry out shar ly, “He's not i Neith I. Both of us unarmed.” His vol an appeal, killer that o side the arm er © Was a warning rath It { y to slay now served notice would be out- ode, that even his own com panions would disa not protect f pprove and perhaps him from Steeclman’'s ven- geance, Sanderson sputtered fou're pack fq" ce ores ¥ . n* % in Aa gun somewhere Aan’ y to it. You're a Ire scared when you draw ) for a1 vine amazing * man's 44 Jerked up swiftly Beresford had done an thing. had thrust head now his were end of the barrel “Shoot an’ be hanged, you You haven't the pluck to fire” O'Hara thought that for one dread. ful moment his heart bad pumping. To plunge forward, to make the least move, would be the siznal for Sanderson to shoot. He could only walt helplessly in the heavy silence while the drama worked it. self out. It seemed son's slow mind made Its choice, spoke hoarsely, savagely, “Go an’ heeled, both of you, an' when you fellows.” laugh rang out little man his that inches from The forward, glx £0 not the coward, stopped forever before Sander He get S00 me, come a-shootin’, Quantrell’s boyish and broke the tension. “He sure went for you all spraddled out, he thought you was a big wind pudding Another minute an’ I reckon he wonld have crawled yore big frame the way his friend did Iast night. I'm buyin’ chips, Shep. This gent has got sand in his craw, an’ he's my friend. Lay off him” “This other tenderfoot too?" Sanderson asked sulkily. The boy looked at O'Hara watched this episode with wary, detachment, and he had seen the law- yer step forward to join his com. panion in front of the furious bad man. Tenderfoot he undoubtedly was but like the other he had shown cour age of a high order. “Lay off him, too, Shep, an’ see you do or I'll give you a game. I'm yore loadin’, any jump in the road.” Quan. trell laid down the law to the other killer carelessly, almost casually, with the supreme confidence of one who knows himself chief, O'Hara's pride was touched, He did not want to hide behind an eighteen- year-old boy. “I don’t know anything about a gun, but if you'll give me three weeks I'll get ready for this man,” he sald, The young desperados eyes lit “Good enough, Rhep. Lay off three weeks, an’ then hop to it if you like He'll give you a game his own self. Hooray !" “Him! That pligrim! game—me, Shep Sanderson! talk, That's all it Is" gnorted contemptuously. “If it's fool talk maybe he's gansing it to the capacity of yore understand. in’, Shep. Sounds like fool talk to you. But is it? Those who saw him swarmin' over you lust night, when you was hollerin' for some one to take him off, claim he looked like he could whip a stack of bobtalled wildeate” “Jumped me when I wasn't lookin, I tell you,” growled Shep, “I heard you the first time, Shep. Well, the boys say he was certainly sailin’, I'd admire (o see another per formance,” “You'll see It. Soon's the bridle Is off,” Sanderson boasted. (TO BE CONTINUED.) like friend, Yore He had cool Gimme a Fool The bad man Tu STOMACH UPSET, SOUR? THIS ~~ WILL COMFORT Don't let sour stomach, gas, ine digestion make you suffer, And don't use crude methods to get relief. Just take a spoonful of Phillipe Milk of Magnesia In a glass of wa~ ter. It instantly neutralizes many times its volume In excess acid. 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