Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 19, 2025
Only," he continued with twitching lips, "Dave was takin' the stray-man's measure." Stafford smiled grimly. "How did the stray-man measure up?" he inquired, a smile working at the corners of his mouth. "I reckon he wasn't none shy?" Rope grinned, admiration glinting his eyes. "He's sure man's size," he returned, giving his attention to the saddle cinch.
But it had reached its highest point when Mary Radford spurned his love. After that he had realized that just so long as the stray-man lived and remained at the Two Diamond there would be no peace or security for him there. Yet he had no thought of settling his differences with Ferguson as man to man.
"I don't think Mary Radford is worryin' about me," he said steadily. "Well, now," returned Stafford, serious again; "then I reckon Leviatt had it wrong." "I expect he had it wrong," answered the stray-man shortly. But Stafford did not yield. He had determined to keep the stray-man at the Two Diamond and there were other arguments that he had not yet advanced which might cause him to stay.
I ain't goin' to do any prayin'. I reckon that's right?" Radford shifted his feet uneasily. He could not have told at that moment whether or not he had intended to murder Ferguson. He had waylaid him with that intention, utterly forgetful that by shooting the stray-man he would be committing the very crime which he had accused Ferguson of contemplating.
Why hadn't he carried out his original intention of shooting the stray-man down from ambush? He had doubted Leviatt's word and had hesitated, wishing to give Ferguson the benefit of the doubt, and had received his reward in the shape of a bullet in the back after practically making a peace pact with his intended victim.
Dropped down to see how things was runnin'." "Things is quiet," returned Stafford. "There ain't been any cattle missed for a long time. I reckon the new stray-man is doin' some good." Leviatt's eyes glowed. "If you call gassin' with Mary Radford doin' good, why then, he's doin' it!" he snapped. "I ain't heard that he's doin' that," returned Stafford. "I'm tellin' you about it now," said Leviatt.
The blushes came when she suddenly realized that her interest was not wholly professional, that she had lately lingered long over her model, at times when she had not been thinking of the story at all. Then, too, she had considered her friends in the East. What would they say if they knew of her friendship with the Two Diamond stray-man?
Perhaps his eyes were more alert than those of the other men, his lips in a straighter line. But apparently he knew no more of this mystery than any of the others. And now Leviatt's voice rose again, insolent, carrying an unmistakable personal application. "Stafford hires a stray-man," he said, sneering.
"I'll make him why, damn him, I'll " "You're carryin' on awful," observed Ferguson dryly. "But you ain't doin' any good." He leaned closer to Stafford. "I'm quittin' my job right now," he said. Stafford leaned back in his chair, surprised into silence. For an instant he glared at the stray-man, and then his lips curled scornfully.
Because you've taken a shine to that damned maverick that come here from Dry Bottom Stafford's new stray-man!" "That is my business," she returned icily. "It sure is," he said, the words writhing venomously through his lips. "An' it's my business too. There ain't any damned "
Word Of The Day
Others Looking