Thursday, September 17, 1942
SOUTHERN OREGON MINER
Page 4
»
BLACK DAWN-
’Workin’on the R. R.’
SUCCESSFUL
PARENTHOOD
CHAPTER XI
ay MM. CATNOUNE CONRAD EDWAMM
SYNOPSIS
»Modale Edito« Parsals' Magullas
Dave Bruce, out of a Job. arrives at
Wilbur Ferris' Cross Bar ranch Curran,
the foreman, promises him a Job if he
can break a horse called Black Dawn
When he succeeds, he discover« Curran
expected the horse to kill him. A «irk
named Lola rides up. angry with Dave
for breaking "her" horse. She refuse«
to speak to him even when he uses his
savings to pay off the mortgage on the
small ranch she «hares with her foster
father, a man named Hooker But when
Hooker Is shot and Dave Is charged with
murder. Lois saves him from being
lynched Wounded, ahe guides him to a
mountain cave where she thinks they
will be sate from Curran and the star*
iff'» posse
A quarrel between Ferris
and Judge Lonergan reveals that Fer­
ris had killed his partner. Blane Row­
land. many years before
Thoroughly
scared. Ferris takes Curran into his con­
fidence
When Dave u away from the
cave Curran kidnaps Lois Still unaware
of Lots' danger. Dave has just discov­
ered what he believes to be a human
skeleton near the eave. He is examin­
ing the skulL
"Hold ’em high. Sheriff, or I’ll blow your head off!"
Otherwise- nothing. And when at in turn and gave Dave hia hand
There was a clean, round hole at last Dave entered Hooker's cabin,
"That go»*» with me." he said
the back, such as a bullet would he found it empty, with no sign gravely. "Yo’re right, Bruce. I’m
have made, and the frontal bone that anyone had been in it since purty sure yuh didn't kill Hooker.
was mostly missing, with jagged Lois and he had left It.
I been workin' on a line of my own
edges about it.
Grimly Dave turned the stallion and I think I'm on the trail. I'm
“Yore horse didn't slip, hombre," and rode back through the can­ acceptin' them terms of yores.
said Dave to the skull. "Yores is a yons. Again he found the hoof­ And in a few minutes I think I’ll
case of plain murder. Yore part­ prints and again, in spite of cast­ have some evidence. It's in that
ner shot yuh from behind, the ing about in a wide circle, he was cabin. Nope, not Miss Lois. I jus',
dirty murdering hound!”
unable to discover which way the trussed up and gagged a hombre
Dave put on his socks and shoes horses had gone.
w£o was actin' suspicious, after
again and began to reascend the
The sun was well down in the havin 'to kill his horse."
side of the ravine. Arrived at the west when Dave rode back t<f-
He led the way into the cabin.
top, he looked at the sun and con­ ward Hooker's cabin, reckless now. Trussed and gagged very effect­
cluded that it was already well He was almost through the scrub ively upon the floor was the Mex­
past noon. He had told Lois that I when he reined in abruptly. He ican, Pedro, whom Curran had
he would be back to see her about could see the cabin again and this sent back to the Cross-Bar.
midday.
time a horse was standing saddled
"Ain't had time to question him
But when Dave reached the cave in front of it.
yet," the sheriff explained. "He
he found it empty. "Lois!” he call­
Listening, Dave could hear foot­ was sorter stunned when his horse
ed. “Lois, girl, where are yuh ?"
steps in the cabin. Someone was dropped under him. Now we'll
The echoes of his voice floated walking to and fro inside it.
see."
back mockingly from the cliffs
Dave didn't dismount this time.
He pulled the gag out of tht
across the ravine, and that was He edged the black horse forward, mouth of the helpless man. Pedro,
all. Then Dave's pupils contracted its hoofs making no noise on the who recognized Dave, glared in
sharply as he saw the footprints soft mesa. Now he was immedi­ mixed fear and fury at him and
of a man's boots on the other side ately behind the house. He could at Coggswell.
of the cave, faint, but unmistak­ bear the footsteps inside distinct­
"Yore jig’s up. Pedro,” said the
able in the ground softened by the ly. Now he got out of his saddle sheriff. "Yo’re goin' to come across
rains.
and went quietly around the shack and come quick, or yors life ain't
Here, too, were the prints of As he reached the front angle he I : worth a nickel. I'd just as soon
Lois' little boots, and where they saw Sheriff Coggswell come out shoot yuh there as rd shoot a
ceased there was a furrow in the of the door and move toward his widewinder. Where's Curran ?"
soil as if she had been draggtd horse.
“I do not know. Senor Coggs­
Beyond, the prints of the man's j Dave leaped forward. His at­ well," protested the Mexican. "I
boots were deeper, as if he had | titude was the crouch of a beast ride jus 'now, back to the range,
been carrying a burden.
of prey, his voice a rumbling snarl: j after lookin' for strays, and you
It was all perfectly clear and
“Hold ’em high, sheriff, or I'll ! shoot my horse and tie me up."
unmistakable, and told its story blow yore head off!"
1 "Now listen, Pedro, it ain't a bit
only too well. Coggswell must have
Taken utterly by i surprise, 1 of use lyin 'to me." replied the
got upon the trail and taken Lois Coggswell put up his hands.
,r,B
sheriff, "because I got the goods
away.
"Well, you got the drop on me on yuh. I been doin' some watch­
The waddy’s face was trans­ all right. Bruce," admitted Coggs-j in' myself the last few days and I
formed into a grim mask of ven­ well. "But killin' me won’t do you : seen you and Curran prowlin'
geance. Dave ran back to where no good."
around these parts lookin’ for
Black Dawn was standing and
Dave stepped forward and re­ someone.
sprang into the saddle. He adjust- lieved
________
_________ of ___
__ "You
Coggswell
his =
gun.
"I watched you thia mornin’
ed his belt, bringing the holster can pUt yOre hands down now," he ride out into the hills, and I watch­
close to his right hand When he j said "But
~
yore goin' to talk ed you ride back. When I called
met Coggswell, it would be just quick and straight, if yuh want to yuh. yuh tried to git away. Now
too bad for Coggswell.
get back to Mescal without a Tm putting it up to yuh. Curran
Softly Dave edged the stallion nasty mess on yore shoulders. ain't at the Cross-Bar. Where is
along the trail peering right and What have yuh done with Lois?" he?"
left for any hidden ambuscade. But
“Bruce,” answered Coggswell, ”1
“I see him last night. I do not
the bootprints had changed to the ain’t set eyes on Miss Lois since know today. Me and him we look
prints of two horses’ hoofs. If ahe rode into town the mornin’ of for this man.” Pedro jerked his
Coggswell had set an ambuscade Hooker's murder, seein' I was head in Dave's direction. "Today
along the route, he had certainly knocked cold tryin 'to purtect you.’ I look for strays—”
not joined it himself.
The declining sun shone straight lievin’ yuh. sheriff," he said. "But
Dave trailed the hoofprints as into Dave’s eyes, showing the hag­ if it wasn't you who took her
far as the canyon and then lost gard lines of his face. He stared away, who was it?"
them. It was impossible to discov­ into Coggswell’s trying to read the
Sheriff Coggswell was silent.
er any signs of them on the flinty truth.
Dave met the keen scrutiny of his
ground. But Dave was pretty sure ."You swear that's true?” Dave eyes, then suddenly handed him
Coggswell had taken Lois to Hook­ cried suddenly.
back his gun and thrust his own
er's cabin, perhaps to leave her
into its holster.
“
I
’
m
talkin
’
straight,"
answered
there and come back in search of
"You got the drop on me now.
the sheriff. "I rode up here with
him.
It was an hour after the discov­ the idea of campin' out and startin' Coggswell,” he said. "I'm trustin’
ery that Lois had been kidnaped on a bunt for yore trail in the you. You can take me into Mescal
before he suddenly saw Hooker's momln’. If someone took Miss Lois if yuh want to. But I always felt
away when you was gone, it was yuh knew I didn't kill old Hooker.
cabin before him.
No horse was visible, tout Dave not me. Why, I don’t know where And I'm askin’ yuh to trust my
dismounted and crept softly for­ you two been hidin' up. She ain’t word same as I trusted yores, and
ride with me to find the skunk
ward, peering through the under- hurt bad, is she;"
“She was gettin' well. We was that took her away. After that.
growth. Foot by foot he edged his
way forward. The plaintive lowing goin ’to start out tomorrow." And I’ll be ready to place myself in
of the unmilked cow came to his suddenly the mask of hate van­ yore hands."
i be-
Coggswell bolstered his own gun
ears from somewhere on the mesa. I ished from Dave's face. “I’ ni
"If I wear makeup and talk like the guy, stlpei -sophisticated
about the boys and stop riding ctirwd they ate living left out of.
my bike to school do you think When they turn theii backs on
I can be popular?” is a typical olhvi wallflowvis like themselves
they arc being as selfish us the
adolescent query.
It is difficult to persuade a lmg leadcis who uie making them
daughter who looks shy and child­ miserable.
like in the compuny at glittering
1 know, it seems to be a.'dlng
girls her own age, gills who have insuk to injuiy to expect it ne­
matuied early, that some day her glected girl to I m * nice to a stam­
Pictured al her pout in the lower as-yet-undeveloped beauty will far mering uoy who she knows wouid
that control» the gate» at a busy i exceed the mere prcttlnesa of rather I m * dancing with someouo
railroad crossing In Nashua, N. II.. those she envies What does she else anyway. But it's nevei thele.is
I» Mr». Andrea L. Hogan, first | care about the future she wants true thut icllevti.^ anclhei's lone­
woman to till »uch a post on lh<* I to be pretty and ¡mpuiar right liness is a sure way of winning
friendliness fot oneself. The pc.
Ho»ton A Maine railroad.
The now!
mother of three boy«, Mr«. Hogan I
Parents of sons have this prob­ sonullty glow» by whut it exerts
u»ed to work In the railroad ac­ lem too, for there are bo.v* who itself to do, and if it muk<jt the
counting department.
When «he grow up slowly and although 10 effort t<> M friendly to Those
heard the cro»»ing job was open years late: they may be worth 20 who need friendliness (not just
«he applied and got it.
of the smooth fellows they envy, , to tlx* glamourous few) li will
that, too. is something you can't acquire warmth and sclf-forget*
"I'm putting the question in an- make them take coinfort in. or fulness.
1 other way," said the sheriff pa­ even believe.
To encourage your son or dau­
tiently." Where's Curran got Mis:
Parents can help these slowly ghter to mike this txertion. do
Lota?”
maturing youngsters thiough ti e everything you cun to improve
"Señor, I no have seen her since unhappy years when their school- their appearance Don't tell your­
that night she ride away with this but you can't s|Mtre them all hut! self that clothes don’t matter be­
Thia youthful heaitbreak is like cause everything just hangs on
man from Mescal '*
Coggswell drew his six-gun fron an illness, you can nurse a chi d 1 Hue's bony frame, or Bill's big
his holster and spun the cylinder tenderly through mumps but you i hands ami feet make hlln look
can't prevent his suffering some! awkward whatever he wears. Il is
He turned to Dave.
"May as well take this fellei pain. Nor <k> you want to side <i j now that they need the bolstering
where we aim to bury him.” h< a young person from learning to effect of the nicest clothes you
said. "No sense in muasin' up thi take the normal disappoint men ti can afford to buy them. Encour­
age them to be the beat groomed
floor. There's a place at the edge of life.
of the mesa where the ground’s’ Sometimes parents make Hun­ youngsters In their class clean
soft."
ter» worse by sharing the child's smooth hair .spotless clothes, well
If they BK
He picked up the end of the fear of being unpopular. Certainly iiianx ui <■.I hand»
rope that bound the Mexican and nothing could be worm* for an al­ troubird with acne take them to a
began dragging the man toward ready battered ego than to sense doctor for trentratnt. Watch their
the door.
that Mother is disappointed be­ diet and see that they get plenty
’’Senor," chattered Pedro, "you cause you don't look like a mo­ of sleep and exercise and provide
cannot murder me. I did not take vie star. As a matter of fact them with a lotion which will par­
the girl away."
parents should be grateful if their tially cover facial blemishes
"You've had your chance, Pedro. children take a few extra years'
Athough you can't force young
Come on, Bruce, let's git him over in maturing. Those who come to people to entertain, by Inviting one
the sill and finish him." he added full flower early and are sure of friend of theirs at a time to din­
The six-gun jerked upward. A themselves too soon miss the alow ner and making the youngsters
scream broke from the Mexican's absorption of knowledge and the the center of attention you can
lips.
deepened
understanding which gradually make your home a place
"Senor, I tell - don't shoot—1 make for a better, richer adult they like to come to. Ami this is
tell," chattered Pedro. "Curran personality.
the l>est bld f<>i jh »polarity that
bring the girl this momln' to the
So first make sure tn your own parents can give their children
cabin that the gold prospector mind that you are giving your
built many year ago in the blind boy and girl a big parental O. K. I CHEA I* printing 1» ex|w*n»ive.
canyon."
then try to open their eyes to the |
"I know where it is.” answered fact that there are far more shy Have year work done RIGHT at -
the lion»- of Better Printing-----
Coggswell. “AH right. Pedro, yuh ,
saved yore life. I'm goin' to leave young peopit like themselves than Miner offkx*.
yuh tied up here, for which I reck-1
■
- i - — i - » ■ —1
■
on yuh'll be grateful to me after- I
ward. I'll get yuh a drink of i
water."
Coggswell filled a pitcher and
held It to Pedro's lips, setting it
down beside him when he was (
through? He turned to Dave.
"Reckon we better ride," he said
“I got my four men waitin’ down j
below the mesa, but I don’t aim to
waste no more time with Miss Lois
in the hands of that feller."
Dave only spoke once during the Í
This will protect against
ride. "Sheriff,” he said, "you lived
direct I om or damage to
in this district quite some time, j
ain't yuh ? Ever hear of a waddy
property (fire and bombard­
disappearin' mysteriously? Course
ment) duo to enemy attack.
he didn’t have to be a waddy. May
It supplement» your regular
have been a prospector."
insurance.
He described his discovery of
the skeleton in the ravine. "Shot
If Interested in this protec­
through the back of the head.” he
tion. apidy now an the for­
said. "Feller had fractured his leg ¡
at some time, up near the thigh.
mer coverage expired June
It was all healed up rough."
30.
“Yuh found him?” shouted I
Coggswell. turning round in the
saddle. "Well, that clears up con-
sid'rable more along the lines I
was workin*."
"It's al right, judge.” called Cur­
ran. as Lonergan drew rein suspl-
REAL ESTATE and
ciiously in the way Ferris had
REAL INMURANUE
done. "Here's Mr. Ferris, and just
Phone 8781
41 East Main
me, and we're waitin' to talk
-
—
things over pleasant-like."
"You don’t need to shout my
title," grumbled Lonergan, dis­
mounting and stalking into the
shack. He nodded curtly to the'
ranchman and seated himself upon
one of the tree stumps, waving
away Curran's offer of a drink.
Lonergan's manner was still that i
of a judge, a man condescending
to meet those socially beneath him
Reporting Office General Office
"What’s that noise in there?" ‘
demanded Lonergan suspiciously,
Ashland
Medford
as Lois, hearing the voice of the
Phone 8731
Medford
Center
Building
new arrival, made a desperate at­
240 Eaat Maln, Ashland
Phone 2261
tempt to free herself.
"Yuh can go in and look if yuh
want to, Mr. Lonergan," grinned
the foreman. "But that's strictly
a private matter."
YOUR CREDIT RECORD
Lonergan strode to the entrance
of the smaller room. He could just
—You make it, We Record it!
make out Lois fastened on the bed
and her eyes turned imploringly
upon his. He hesitated, then
swung back angaily.
"What's that mean, Curran?"
he demanded.
“Got on Bruce's trail thiz> mom-
WITH MODERN
in’,” answered Curran. “He made
EQUIPMENT
his getaway, but J nabbed the girl.
Was waitin' for yuh to examine
her, After this other business is
Permanent PRICES! ■■
settled.”
(To Be Continued)
•
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Damage
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