Page 165 (1/1)

Thison her rounds she had expected develop to the presence of Roy Beeman and two of his brothers, who had arrived yesterday And she was to discover that Jeff Mulvey, accompanied by six of his co-workers and associates, had deserted her without a word or even sending for their pay Carmichael had predicted this Helen had half doubted It was a relief now to be confronted with facts, however disturbing She had fortified herself to withstand a great deal ateway of the s, shefigure she reave her an inexplicable thrill--a flashing e of the horses on the ranch, of which there were several hundred, not counting e and mountain, or the unbranded colts

Roy took off his soreeted her This Mormon had a courtesy for women that spoke well for him Helen wished she had as told us it 'd be," he said, regretfully "Mulvey an' his pards lit out this mornin' I'm sorry, Miss Helen Reckon thet's all because I come over"

"I heard the news," replied Helen "You needn't be sorry, Roy, for I'as says we're shore in for it now"

"Roy, what do you think?"

"I reckon so Still, Las Vegas is powerful cross these days an' always lookin' on the dark side With us boys, now, it's sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof But, Miss Helen, if Beasley forces the deal there will be serious trouble I've seen thet happen Four or five years ago Beasley rode soreasers off their farms an' no one ever knowed if he had a just claim"

"Beasley has no claim on my property My uncle sole in his books or papers of those years when he employed Beasley In fact, Beasley was never uncle's partner The truth is that my uncle took Beasley up when he was a poor, homeless boy"

"So ht don't always prevail in these parts"

"Roy, you're the keenest man I've met since I came West Tell me what you think will happen"