Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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-4- THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27. 1924. T ^ V THE BARNWELL'PEOPLE, BARNWELL. SOUTH CAROLINA. PAGE THEBE ‘ ^opyrlRhf by rbaHcs Scribner’s Sons By JACKSON GREGORY ■sas; POKER FACE SYNOPSIS’.—Bm] I> *e, horst? foreman of the Blue Bake ranch, convinced Bavne Trevorji, man - aKtr. is delict rately wrecking the property owned by Judith Sanford, a young woman, her cousin. Pollock Haniptorr; and Timothy Cray, derides to throw op his job. Judith arrives and announces she has bought Gray's share In the ranch and will run it. Sim discharges Trevors, after slmoting him twice in self-de’-o fense. The men on fhe ranch dislike taking orders from a girl, but* by subduing a vicious horse and proving her thorough' knowledge of ranch life. Judith wins the best of therri oyer. Lee decides to stay, for^ a while at least. Judith becomes convinced that her veterinarian. Bill Cfow- dy, Is treacherous. She discharges him ami gets ■ hack Doc Tripp her dead father's man. Pollock Hampton, part owner, comes to stay “for good." Trevors accepts Hampton's invitation to visit the ranch. Judith's messenger is held up and robbed of the monthly pay roll. Bud Lee goes to the ity for more money, getting back safely with It, though his horse is killed under him. Both he and Judith see Trevors' hand in the crime. Hog cholera, hard to account for. breaks out on the ranch. Judith and Lee investi gate the scene of the holdup A cabin in a flower-planted clear ing excites Judlth'.s admiration. It Is Lee’s, though he does not say so. They are fired on from ambush, and Lee wounded. An swering the tire, they make for the cabin. Here they 'find Bill • 'rowdy wounded. Dragging him Into the building, they find he has the money taken from Ju- . dith's messenger. They are be sieged in the cabin all night. Hampton arrives in time to drive the attackers off and captures "Shorty." who later escapes from the ranch. Judith, tells Bud Lee her financial troubles and lie says tie'll stick. | wouldn’t bring mo. And you nnd— ; nnd one of the men," her eyes on .lu- dith's, “itctnnlly were in here- heiutf ! shot at! Judith, dear, you are just the bravest girl in the world. If I'd been Imre I’d have simply died know I would.” ,, Perhaps—she would. At any rate slit* shuddered delightfully. She found a bullet-bole ,fn the do» r and put a pink forefinger into it. giving a second little shiver., "And now," she cried, going to a chair near the table, “do tell me all about that terrible, terrible niglit. But do you think we are quite safe here man cutting their tliroats,” filie mviL- I asking tier pardon when he had done i now, Mr. Lee?" To herself Judith was saying: “Just the type to lie Bud Lee’s ideal lady l” When,they left the cabin, an hour later, Judith challenged Hampton to a ride and so left Murcia und Bud I.“c to follow leisurely. CHAPTER IX Poker White -Continued CHAPTER VIII. —9— Again she paused. Then, her eyes suddenly darkening, she told him what, after all, lay topmost ie her mind. “I have said that if I*am given the^ 1 * chance, I can make a go of this. It’s up to you. Bud Lee, to help see that get that chance. An attempt was made to spread the lung worm through my calves. Now it’s the hogs. I>o you know what the latest news is from the pens? There’s cholera among them.” 'ace and a Pigeon. I 0 Mrs. Simpson had made a discovery. It was epoch-making. It was tremon- ! dons. Nothing short of that!" So. at : the very least, Mrs. Simpson was pre pared to maintain stoutly in the face | of possible ridicule. One morning, very early, Mrs. Slmp- I son, from the thick curtains of the liv-. : ing room, saw Jose "prowling around suspicious-like In the courtyard I” She | had sensed Jose’s dislike, and thrilled i at the sight. She always thrilled to Jose. The half-breed hud gone silent ly. “sneaking-like'” by Judith s outer door. He had paused there, listening. He had gone hack to the courtyard, | hesitating, pretending that he was i looking at the roses! Such a ruse on i , ihe -part of so black-hearted a villain , inspired in the scarcely breathing Mrs. Simpson a. vast disgust. As If lie could fool tier like that, pottering around among the roses. She, too, sought to m*ve silently in his wake, though under her ample weight the veranda creaked audibly. Still, making less noise than usual, she peered through five lilacs. She saw Jose at the base of the knoll, go- «ng swtfMy toward the stables. She saw aTTryther man who, evidently, was' a third of. the “gang,’’ and who, of course, had risen early to creep out of the men’s hunkhouse before the others were awake, to meet Jose. Screening herself behind the lilacs. \v here did it come from?" he de- i heart throbbing us it had not done rnamled. “Tripp’s been keeping the health of our stock up rigid along." “Where did it come from?” Judith repeated after him. “That's what 1 don't know. We've been so careful. for many a long year, she watched: Jose and the other man did not meet. Jose stopped. The two exchanged a few words too low for Mrs. Simpson to hear at tiiat distance. But she made out that But where did the calf sickness come | the other man had something in Ids hand, something white. A pigeon! For, suddenly released, jt fluttered out of the man’s hands and, circling high above Mrs. Simpson's head, flew to Join the other birds cooing on the housetop! “A carrier-pigeon!" gasped Mrs. Simpson. “Taking a message to the other cutthroats!” From that instant there was no doubt in her. mind. This fitted in too from? Bayne Trevors imported It. Ttie Inference was dear. He stared at her with frowning eyes. "1 don't see how he could have done it without Tripp’s getting on to it. He hasn't bought any new hogs." “But you understand now why I wanted to talk to you? If I win out in tlie thing I have taken on my shoul ders, it is going to lie by a close mar gin. I’ve thought it ail out. We can't slip up in a single deal! But, it’s up to you to give me a hamh To And out for yourself such things as where did the cholera come from! To see that nothing happens to your horses. To keep your two eyes wide open. To help me find the man, working with us rigid now, who is double-crossing us. who turned Shorty loose, who is watch ing a dianee to do ids knife act again somewhere else. Do you get me, Bud r> < jet you," replied Lee. ’rum without', gay voices, calling merrily, interrupted them. Lee went swiftly to the door while Judith fin ished *her coffee and pulled her broad hat a Little lower to throw iis shadow in tier eyes. “Alioy, there!’’ It was Bollock Hampton's voice. "We saw your horses and thought we’d catch you picnick ing Get a fire going, too! Say, that’s bully, (‘pme ahead. Marcia." MareiUt a long riding-habit gathered In one hand, Iter cheeks flushed with her fide, her eyes bright as they rest- [ ed upon the tall form in the doorway, j i at me on I »e! mid 11 unu>t<m. As the! eyes of the rwo girls met, a sudden | hot flush flooded Judith’s cheeks. She : hated herself for it-; she won- : dered just how red her eyes were. “Say. Judith," called Hampton, * I’m glad as the dickens we found you. Sawyer, the sheriff, teleph >ned . Just now. "'"‘Said to tell ’ ou he'd io- 1 eated Quinnion. The funny part of it is that we made a mistake. It wasn't Quinnion at all that tried to shoot you and Bud up the other niglit " ‘How’s that?" demanded Leo. “Who says it wasn’t ?“ / “Sawyer. Found Quinnion at a sheepman's place thirty ot forty miles ^ north of here. The sheepman swore Quinnion had been with him two week's, was with him that night." “A sheepman can lie,” grumbled Lee. Judith’s brief imifnent of confusion passed, she -jsliered Marcia into the cabin. • “I’ve been * mply dying to see this place!" cried Marcia Impetuously,- “1 told Pollock that It was a sure sign ha didn’t love me any more If he Bud Lee's Ideal Lady, Thought Judith. tered to herself, “before they’l! believe ttr—It Is a - farrier-pigeon And I know it, And that Black Spanish—ugh! He makes my blood curdle, just to look I | at him !” “Carrier-pigeons!” laughed Judith, as she began a hurried dressing. “The dear old goosiel And poor old Jose. 1 She’ll get something on him jet. I wonder why she—” Suddenly Judith broke off. She was standing in front of a tall^niirror, still only half-dressed. As she looked into the bright face of tin* smiling giri in the . glass, a sudden change came. Pigeons! Doc Tripp had said that Tre vors hud got them ; had remarked on the incongruity of a man like Trevors caring for little cooing birds. It was rather odd. Carrier-pigeons—carrier— Judith whipped on her dressing gown* again and, slipperless, her warm, hare feet pat-patting upon the cold surfaces of the polished floors, she ran to the office. "Send Jose to me," she called to Mrs. Simpson. “In the office. 1 want him immediately." A warm glow came into Mrs. Simp son’s breast. With a big kitchen poker behind her broad hack, she hastened out to call Jose, Judith, at the tele phone, called Doc Tripp. “Come up immediately," stie com manded, “prepared to make a test for hog-cholera germs, Doc. No, I urn not surr of anything, but I think I begin to see where it came from und how. Hurry, will you?" To Jose she said abruptly: “Go down to the men’s quarters, Jose. Tell Carson and Lee to come right up." And as Jose turned to go, she added carelessly: “Seen any of the men yet?" “Si, senorita,’’ answered Jose. "Poky Face Is up." “Poker Face? All r^ht, Jose. The others will he about, then.” Jose took little more time for his errand than for his elaborate bow. Carson and Lee came promptly, Car- son a score of steps in advance, for Lee h,ad tarried just long enough to wash ! Ids face and brush his hair; Carson hail not. “Tell me," demanded Judith, looking at her cattleman with Intent eager ness, “what do you know about Pyker Face?” “One of the best men I’ve got," an swered Carson heartily. “Square, you think?” “Yes. If I didn’t tldnk so he’d have been on his way a long time ago.” “How long has he been here? Who took him on?” “Trevors hired him. About the same time lie hired me." Bud Lee, entering then, wondered what new thing was afoot. He glanced down und saw a hare foot peeping out from the hem of Judith’s heavy red robe; he saw the hair tumbled in a glorious brown confusion over her shoulders. She was amazingly pretty this way. “I want you two men to just stick around until 1 send for you again,” said Judith, her eyes upon, (’arson alone, a little pink, naked foot sudden ly withdrawn and Tucked somewhere under her in her cliaTc. “And keep your eyes on Poker FuoeN. Keep him here, too, Carson. By (lie Avtjy, did any of you boys come In late 4ast niglit? Dr,early his morning?” “Why, no," answered Carson slowly. ‘‘An’ yes. None of the reg’lur boys, hut a man from down the river, look ing for a job. ’ Heard we was short- handed. Blew in eariy. Just got in a few moments ago, Poker Face said.*’- Quick new interest flew into Ju diths eyes. “Keep ldn> here/-too!" she cried. “And PI I give you something to do while vou wait : bring me all the ? pigeons you can get your hands on— white ones. Shoot them if you nave to. And he careful you don’t rub the dust off their feet." ' - ’ Carson’s .eyes went swiftly.jDo Bud Lee’s. In Carson’s mind there was a quick suspicion : The strain of life on tiie ranch was proving too much for the girl, after all. Judith, reading Ids thought, turned Tip her nose at him and, seeking to keep her feet hidden as site walked lij sagging a little a' The knees, went lo tlie door. Turning there, sin* saw in Lee’s eyes tlie hint of a smile, a very upprov ing, admiring‘smile. "Impudent!" she cried within her self. Looking very tiny, her knees bent so that her robe might'sweep the fleor, she continued with alb possilde dignity to the hallway, once there. “I'm a jackass,-*’ lie said fervently. "I always knew I was a fool, but I didn't know that I was an idiot! Why, Judy, those d—d pigeons have been sailing all over the ranch, billing and cooing and picking tip and toting cholera germs. Any fool can -see it now. I Plight have known something was up when Trevors bought the infer nal tilings. It’s as simple as one, two, three. Now this other jasper, pretend ing to look for a job, brings on some more of them,* so that the disease will spread the faster. Let me get my two hands on him, Judith. For the love of God, lead me to him.” But, instead, she led him to the dozen white pigeons which Carson brought In. Tripp, all business again, improvised ids laboratory, washed the pigeons’ feet, made his test, with never anotlier curse.to tell of his progress. Judith left him and went into tlie courtyard, where, in a moment, Carson came, to iler. "You better ,tell me what’s up," he said sharply. “I know something is. That new guy that come la Is darned hard to keep.., Just as quick as I grab a'* shotgun an’ go to shooting pigeons he moseys out to the corrals an' starts saddling ids horse." “Don’t let him go!’’ Carson smiled a dry, mirthless smile. “Bud is looking out for him right now," lie explained. Don’t worry none about his going before we say so. But I want to know what tlie play Is." Judith told him. Carson shook his head. “Think of that?” he muttered. "Why, a man that would do a trick like that oughtn’t to be let live two seconds. Only,” and he wrinkled his brows at her, “where does Poker Face come In? We ain’t got no call to suspicion he's in on It." "You watch him, just the same, Car- son. We know that somebody here has been working against us. Some one who turned Shorty loose. Maybe It isn’t Poker Face, and maybe It is.” "He plays, a crib game like a sport an’ a gentleman,’’ muttered Carson. “He beat me seven games out’n nine last night!" And, still with that puz zled frown In his eyes, he went to watch Poker Face and the new man. To’ have one of the men for whom he was responsible suspected hurt old Carson sorely. And Poker Face, the man with whom he delighted to play a game of cards—it was almost as though Carson himself had come under suspicion “You’re going to stick arpund just a little while, stranger,” Bud Lee was saying quietly to u shifty-eyed man in the corral. “Just why, I don’t know Orders, ydu know." | “Orders be d—d," snarled the new comer. “I go where I please and when I please. He set a foot to his stirrups. A lean muscular hand fell lightly upon ids shoulder and he was jerked back promptly. Lee smiled at him. Ant the shifty-eyed man, though he pro tested sharply, remained where lie was. — A thin, saturnine man whose lips never seemed to move, a man with dead-looking eyes into which no light of emotion ever came, watched them expressionlessly from where he stooi with Carson. It. was Poker Face. “No," Poker Face answered, to a sharp question from the .persistent (’arson. “Sure, are you?" a ^’Yes." “Answer me," shs commanded. “Who told you?” “Well," said Donley, “he did. Poker Face told me." "Who told you that his name was Poker Face?* Judith shot the question at him. Donley moved if scuffling foot hack and forth, stirring uneasily. That he was lying, no one there doubted; that j he was hut a poor liar after all $'as i equally evident. •, j "You ain’t got no call to keep me here," he said at last. “I ain’t goin’ to answer questions all day.” ■ j ‘ You'll answer my questions if you 1 don’t want me to turn you over to j Hiiiinet Sawver in Uockv—Bend !’’ she told him coolly. “How did you know this man was called Poker Face? Did you know him before?" Donley’s eyes went again, furtive and swift, to Poker Face. But so did all other eyes. Poker Face gave no sign. “Yes,” answered Donley, taking FROM PERSONAL- . EXPERIENCE Mrs. Bradford Recommends Lydia L Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound Phoebus, Virginia.—"Having this op portunity I justcannot refrain from say- ^~ ing a word of praisa for the Lydia E. Pinkham medicines. I have used them as occasion required for twenty years, and my three sisters ha va ■also used them, and always with the most gratifying results. During the Change of Life I had the usual distressing symptoms — hot flashes, insomnia, etc., — and I am pleased to , to testify refuge at last upon tlie solid basis of su i ts i obtained from the Vegetable truth. Compound. I heartily recommend it to “Did you know this man?" Judith any woman and I will be pleased to an- asked then of Poker Face, turning swer any inquiries that might be sent to suddenly on him methroughthepublicationofmytesti- •< v* m" _ |i ... ... , monial.”—Mrs. H. L. Bradford, 109 T ; ’. , , k u . Armstead Street. Phoebus, Virginia. Donley, having guesvd wrong. Consider carefully Mrs. Bradford’s flushed and dropped his head. Then ' letter. Her experience ought to help vou. She mentions the trials of middle lie looked up defiantly and with a short, forced laugh. “Suppose I know him or don’t know him,” he asked with his old Insolence, whose business Is lt?’ r ~ But Judith was giving her attention to Poker Face now. “Where did you get that white you. She mentions the age and the wonderful results she ob tained from Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vege table Compound. If you are suffering from nervous troubles, irritability, or if other annoy ing symptofna appear and you are blue at times, you should give the Vegetable Compound a fair tnaL For sale by druggists everywhere. Dollar a Mile If a driver. Is caught speeding through Middleton. Conn., he may expect to pay a dollar a mile for every mile he has been going. A recent offender charged with going 40 miles an hour paid $40. well witli her many suspicions not to in* tlie dew she had sought long and unceasingly. Jose went on, the man from thej^ she ran for her room, her gown flutter ImnU-lioii.se went hack to it. and Mrs. Simpson lledjso the house'nnd hastened excitedly t(* Judith’s room. .Judith, rudely . awakened, came hurriedly to her door in her dressing-gown, her eye lids heavy witli sleep. When she heard, she laughed. ^ “You dear old goose!" cried Judith Joyously. "1 just love you to death. You [nit fresli interest into life." Despite Mrs. Simpson’s earnest pro tests. Judith hugged her and pushed tier out again, saying that since she was awake cow she would want her breakfast just as soon as she could get It. The housekeeper shook her head and retfeited heavily. “You’ve got to show some folks a X) i ing wildly about he;-. In her room, j though she dressed hurriedly, she stitl ' took time for u long and critical exam ination of two row> of little |link toes. “Juft the same,” she said to the flushed Judith in the mirror, "they are very nice feet—Bud Lee, I’d just like to make you squirm one of these days. You're altogether goo—!oo—oil, scat, Judy. What's the matter with you?" In less than half an hour Doc Trljip, showing evfry sign of a hurried toilet, rode into the courtyard. He came swiftlv into the office, hag in hand. At last w ord came from Judith. Car son and Lee were to bring byth of the suspected men to the house. 1 Do« Tripp, wiping his hands on a towel, ills sleeves up, bestowed upon the two of them a look of unutterable con tempt und hatred. "You low-lived skunks!” was his greeting to them. “Kasy, Doc," continued Judith from her de.skr““ "Thm w on't get us any where. Who are you?" she demapded. of the man standing at Lee’s side. “Me?" demanded the man witli an assumption of jauntiness. "I'm Don- Icy, Dick Donley, that’s who 1 am!" “When did you get here?" ' “'Bout an hour ago." "What illil yim mine fur**" "Lookin' for a job.” "Did Carson say he hadn’t anything for you?" "No, he didn't. You're askin’ a lot I of questions, if you want to knov\" in* added with new surUliesS. . "Then why are -you going In such a hurry? Don't you like to see anyone shoot pigeons?" Donley stared hack at her insolently. "Because I didn't fall for the crowd," lie retbr’tsl bluntly. ‘‘An’, if you want to know, because I didn't banker for tlie job when 1 found out : who was runniti’ it." “Meaning me? A girl? That if? “You guessed it." t “Who./ told you I was rumying tlie outfit? “Wouldn't Have Been Afraid, Not Bein' a Haovg!" pigeon you turned loose this morn ing?’’ she asked crisply. “Caught it,” was the quiet answer. “How?" “With my han’s." “Why?” “Jus’ for fun.” “Did you know that pigeons could carry hog cholera on their feet?" “No. But I wouldn't have been afraid, not bein’ a hawg.” Donley tittered. Poker Face looked unconcerned. “Take that man Donlejr Info tha hall,” Judith said to Lee. “See If he has got any pigeon feathers sticking to 1dm anywhere, inside bis shirt, probably. If you need any help, say so.” Very gravely Bud I^ee put a hand on Donley's shoulder. “Come ahead, stranger,” he said quietly. “You go to h—1!” Cried Donley, springing away. Bud Lee’s hand was on him, and though he struggled und cursed and threatened, he w ent with Lee Into the 1 hallway. Tripp, watching through the open door, smiled. Donley was ou his hack, Lee’s knees on his chest. “PH tell you one rhtngr stranger,” Bud Lee was saying to 1dm softly, as Ids hand tore open Donley’s shirt, “you open your dirty mouth to cuss Just once more In Miss Sanford’s pres ence and I'll ruin the looks of your face for you. Now He still, will you?” I “Connect me with the Hugley ranch,” Judith directed tlie Rocky Mountain operator. "That’s right, isn’t it, Doc?" “Yes," answered Tripp. "That’s the nearest case of cholera.” "Hello," saiil Judith when the con- j nectlon hud been established. “Mr. ' Bagiev? This is Judith Sanford, Blue | Lake ranch. I’ve got a case of hog- cholera here, too- I want some lufo.e- a mation.’’ ‘ « A Raw, Sore Throat JEoms Quickly When You Apply « Little Mat ter ole And Musterole won’t blister like the old-fashioned mustard plaster. Just spread it on with your Angers. It penetrates to the sore spot with a gentle tingle, loosens the congestion and draws out the soreness and pain. Musterole is a clean, white ointment made with oil of mustard. It is fine for quick relief from sore throat, bronchitis, tonsillitis, croup, stiff neck, asthma, neuralgia, headache, congestion, pleu risy, rheumatism, lumbago, pains and aches of the back or joints, sprains, sore muscles, bruises, chilblains, frosted feet, colds on the chest. Keep it handy for instant use. ToMothere: MustsroUis also mad* in mlldar form for babiaa and small childran. Ask for Childran’s MustaroU. 35c and 65c, jars and tubes; hos pital size, $3.00. Munjron * Paw Tonis old* dioastion, tonoa imtvm and •UntuUtM wholo ay*. ‘• r »; p«ll*Htful to toko. Quickly affocUvo. For Constipation use 1 "Thmrrit Hop*” Muayon’s Paw Paw PUU MUNYON’S MW. PAW TONIC at all oauaoura SatU/ortion .worantaadjw money refund* w— MUNTON’S • frraata*. Pa. FOR OVER 200 YEARS Haarlem oil has been a world wide remedy for kidney, liver and bladder disorders, rheumatism, lumbago and uric arid conditions. haarlfm oil correct internal troubles, stimulate vital organs. Three sizes. All druggists. Insist on the original genuine Gold Medal. It looks as if Poker Face might know something about the hog cholera. Is he the traitor at the ranch? CDLDS«24I fO« TWO ' TUBES LA GRIPPE'“SI OtTROIT. WH-HtUU CO- MICHIGAN^ (TO BK CONTINUED.) Lost Talent A grpfit deal of ta?ent is.lost in th< wnrM for the waalurf a Httle-ebufage. Kvery day sends to their graves a num ber of obscure men who have j>n!y re mained in obscurity because their timidity lias prevented them from mak she demanded suddenly, her I ing* a tiryi effort; and who, If thej eyes hard on his. "You must have found that out pretty soon! Who told you?’’ Donley hesitated, his eyes running from her to tlieother faces about him. Judith, waiting impatiently for him, j resting longest upon the expression- lost no words in telling-'him her suspi 'ess. ^id-looking eyes of I'oker Face. • ions. And Doc Tripp, hearing liei out, s.vorf* softly aud fluently, brletlj "What •nffere.n , 'e does it make who to!J me?’’ he snapped could hu’e been induced to begin, would in ail probability have gon* great lengths in the career of fair.* The fact is that, to do anything in rhi» world worth doing, we must not stanu hack shrinking and thinking of tin cold and danger, hut jump in an( ■ scramble through as well iu we can.- | Rev. Sydney Saaith. Have Good Hair And Clean Scalp Cutlcura Soap and Ointment Work Wonders Try Our New Shawlna Stick. _ — Earn Xmas Money BOYS &. GIRLS Wnte lot $• St NkWu Ck.wiBU SmIl Srfl tot Ifc • •et. When »oki »r*d u» S3 00 anj kee£$2.M. No work— jwthn. StllkM* 2814 CkawWIU.. Bait V.IrwUmLf. A I