Riders West. Ernest Haycox

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СКАЧАТЬ stood still while she spoke. And afterwards he studied her for a long interval with that same slow, judging scrutiny she had experienced at the hands of Dan Bellew. He was smiling, but, behind that smile was a shadow of sympathy and regret.

      "I'm always kind of sorry to spoil a fine dream," he told her gently. "Now let's consider this, thing a little more fully."

      Dan Bellew stood under the black shadows of a locust and idly talked to Helen Garcia. Then Solano came ambling out of an alley, and Helen walked away. "I saw nothin'," said Solano.

      "We'll ride to the ranch in the morning," observed Dan. "So you better get your serious drinking done tonight." He crossed the street, all at once fallen into the indolent tempo of the town, and paused at the swinging doors of the Golden Bull. Viewing the crowd inside—and identifying each man with particular care—he stepped discreetly back into the shadows. The girl from the train was at that moment heading for townsite's, and Dan watched the quick sure swing of her body with a silent approval. There was no doubt of her firm, independent mind; the incident on the coach had determined that.

      Dan chuckled soundlessly when he thought of the scene. It was somewhat strange that the outline of her features, the gray straightness of the glance, and even the still, angered clarity of her voice remained distinctly with him. Her display of temper had something to do with it, he reflected; yet beyond that was a clear-cut personality at once colorful and feminine. Meanwhile he searched the odd corners of Trail with a careful eye. Seeing nothing, he strolled down to the sheriff's office and went in.

      Jubilee Hawk was at the moment assembling the parts of a rifle scattered along his desk. He looked up swiftly—all the muscles and nerves of this keenly edged young man were turned to abrupt responses—and the oddly angular face relaxed from its concentration. He reared back, sorrel hair shining beneath the light, and reached for his pipe. Dan sat down, rolled a cigarette. It was, invariably, a ceremony between these two ancient friends who knew each other so well. Dan put his feet on the desk, struck a match, and idly surveyed the surrounding walls—Jubilee watching him through the smoke with an oblique, half-lidded interest. When Bellew did at last break the silence it was so casually as to suggest the continuation of a previous sentence:

      "When there's carrion around, the buzzards circle down."

      Jubilee nodded. "Election's only ten days off, if that's what you mean."

      Dan looked across the table. "How'd you like to be an ex-sheriff?"

      "May damn well be," grunted Jubilee. "And very soon. Neel St. Cloud is going to frame the election if he can. Once he gets Ruel Gasteen wearin' this star he'll have the best luck of his life. Ruel Gasteen will absolutely obey orders. St. Cloud knows that."

      "How," went on Bellew idly, "would you like to be a dead sheriff?"

      "Thought we'd get to the nigger in the woodpile pretty soon. Let's have it."

      "I'm going to catch thunder for monkeying in your business," said Dan whimsically. "But anyhow, Hugo Lamont was on the train tonight."

      "So?" Jubilee straightened. "I ran him out of here once by the slack of his britches."

      "I knew that. Why do you suppose he wanted to come back?"

      "Vote St. Cloud's ticket of course."

      "No," answered Bellew. "No. If it was that, he'd wait until the last day. Only reason he'd venture into this town again would be to take a shot at you. He's got a score to settle."

      "I can run him out again," was Jubilee's laconic observation.

      Bellew smiled. "As I said, I'm going to get the devil for interfering. But I was afraid if he got here he'd broach you before I could put my warning in. So I stopped the train and set him off. If he's comin', it will be afoot. You're warned."

      "I wish you'd quit goin' to trouble for me, Dan."

      "I'm not sure there wasn't somebody else of interest on that train," added Bellew, very thoughtful. "Saw a couple of saddles in an empty section. You watch your step."

      "Why should everybody have the sudden desire to make a target out of me?"

      "St. Cloud isn't any too certain he'll win the election. If you got unfortunately killed in line of duty it would simplify matters for him. He's determined to put his whole ticket of scoundrels into office."

      "He's a cool enough cucumber to figure all the angles."

      "Never underestimate him," said Dan. "He has a first-rate mind. And when you harness a good head to crooked schemes, you've got a situation full of dynamite."

      Silence came again, prolonged and studious. Jubilee ran a hand through his sorrel hair and appeared puzzled. "This is a rougher, tougher country than it used to be, Dan. More trouble, more suspicion, more thievin'."

      "I've watched the grief gatherin' up for the last couple years," agreed Bellew. "The trouble is right over yonder in Smoky Draw, my lad. Neel St. Cloud never used to be anything but a talking man. Then he got himself an idea. He's been working on it ever since."

      "What idea?"

      "I don't know," was Bellew's slow answer. "I can't figure out a sensible story."

      "If it was a decent candidate runnin' against me," grumbled Jubilee, "I wouldn't mind losing. This job is nothing but sorrow—and gettin' worse. One of these days I may have to do something I don't want to do. Learned yesterday that Pete Garcia finally made up his mind to throw in openly with the crooks. He's moved to Smoky Draw. He's ridin' with St. Cloud's outfit."

      Bellew reared, showed a disappointed disgust. "That's something I halfways expected but hoped wouldn't happen."

      "He's plain no good. Don't see how one family can produce two such different kids. Helen's straight as a string. Pete's foolishness hurts her, Dan."

      "Of course it does. I've got to talk to that boy."

      "For more reasons than one," added Jubilee quietly, "it hurts her."

      Dan stared at his partner. "Well?"

      But Jubilee got up, shaking his head. "I'll say no more. Shoot a game of pool?"

      "No, I've got to see Townsite yet." Bellew also rose, openly disturbed. "All Helen ever got out of that shiftless family of hers was a dirty deal. Now here is her brother gone haywire. I'm going to find Pete and make his ears ring."

      "Do you no good. You've kept him on the safe side long as you ever will." Jubilee made a circle about the room, scowling at the floor. Presently he stopped in front of Dan. "You could go farther and do worse, Dan."

      "Cut that out. Helen's just a kid."

      "Nineteen. You're only twenty-six."

      "What are you trying to do?" challenged Bellew. "Marry me off? Be sensible."

      Jubilee grinned slowly, but his eyes remained sober.

      "Wanted to get a declaration. If you're not in the race, then the field's open to me."

      "With my best love," drawled Bellew.

      "Don't want yours. I'd want hers. That's no good, either. Hers is on another man."

      Bellew СКАЧАТЬ