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For a few minutes, he had his father’s undivided attention “Why?”

“The legal fees were too expensive Maybe, if the cattle o after the title again”

“But possession is nine tenths of the law That land has been in the Calder name, in one form or another, for a hundred years,” his father protested, but not vigorously

“And it still is That’s why I waited until I had a signed lease before I dropped the suit It can be filed again,” Ty assured him

He sank back on his pillow “Maybe you’re right” There was defeat in his voice, and it hurt Ty ry dispute over his decision could have “Maybe it isn’t worth fighting over If I hadn’t been so deteret it, here would have been no reason to fly to Helena and your mother wouldn’t have been killed”

“Don’t talk that way You can’t blame yourself,” Ty insisted

“You can’t deny it’s true” It was a huarette”

After hesitating, Ty reached inside his suit jacket and took out a cigarette from the pack in his shirt pocket He lit it and passed it to his father A long, dragging puff was taken fro

“Did you talk to Dr Haslind when you arrived?” He studied the sarette

“No I missed him Why?”

“I’ They think they can relieve some of this pressure on my spine”

For a long“I’ll be here”

“You have a ranch to run”

“I’ll be here”

When they wheeled hi rooiven hi vision, he searched the faces above hi to be there