The Range Boss

t. But her horror gradually abated, and at the end of a week she was able to look at Randerson without shuddering. Durin

in the world as rage so justifiable as to make a man yearn to inflict punishment upon another man who had attacked his woman. He had looked upon the matter cold-bloodedly, and she had resented that. But now that she had been avenged, she felt that she had been wrong. It had been such a trivial thing, after all; the punishment seemed monstrous in comparison with it. Sh

only reference to the incident-a wordless one, which she felt was sufficiently eloquent-came when one day, while they were standing beside the corral fence, looking at the horses, they saw Randerson riding in. Masten nodded to

his arm i

g, Willard,

he said. "It wa

to have punished Pickett. I am glad, now, that you didn't." She shuddered, and look

ave me like him?" He

she

ht pressure, and turning hi

the pasture, talking confidentially and laughin

running smoothly. Why not take a ride over to Lazette one of these days. There is a justice of the peace over there. I

tried in vain to fan into flame still smoldered. She felt

fter the fall round-up. There is no

through the open door saw Randerson and Uncle Jepson sitting on a benc

paused long enough to wrinkle his nose at Masten. Randerson

he prompted, looki

n I heard Chavis an' Pickett talkin' low an' easy outside. They was a crack in the wall, an' I plastered one ear up ag'in it, an' took in all they was sayin'. First, they was talkin' about the bad feelin' between you an'

id Randerson

er, Pickett wanted some excuse to have you fire him, so's he could shoot you. He talked some to Masten

Randerson. His eyes were glowing; his words cam

e Pickett about it, Pickett would shoot you. If they was any chance for Chavis to help along, he'd do it. But mos

talk after-aft

epson, a venomous flash in h

pt in the twist of his lips. He sat for a long time, silent, staring out th

there was a cold, bit

'm the guy they're after!" He laughed, and Uncle Jepson shivered. "She's seen one killin', an' I reckon, if she stays here a while longer, she'll see another: Chavis'." He stopped and then went on

d then he shut his lips and looked gr

the question himself, "I reckon if you'd tell her she wouldn't believe you. No good wom

e away. Going to the door, Uncle Jepson watched him unt

ate that

s though thought had suddenly ceased, or s