Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

14 d^nk-haircJ girl. " Sl)c owns the big- gest ranch in this county. Miss Vaneey, meet Mr. Darvis." "I'm honoured," .said Darvis with a very creditable bow. "I'm ^^uro very pleased to meet you," exclaimed Sue Vaneey, "and I hope you and your friends will com© and stay on my ranch for a few days while you're looking round." "Wo shall be delighted, Miss Vaneey," replied Darvis vi-ith studied politeness, "and it's sure very kind of you to ask ns." "Speech!" yelled the crowd which liad gathered in front of the hotel. Darvis started, and his followers looked with secret delight at the worried cx- pre.ssion that came over his face. For Kcdge's line was not speech-making. His remarks in public Iwid hitherto been confined to some such terse effort of eloquence as "Put 'em up !" "I'm afraid you'll have to say some- thing, Mr. Darvis," said the mayor, and the gang-leader went forward reluctantly. "Ladies and gentlemen," ho began, "I'm very pleased to visit Bunscn, and I hope " The crowd was denied the chance of learning what Darvis hoped, for his re- marks were suddenly interrupted by an outburst of gun-firing. Round the corner of the street came an exuberant mob of mounted cowboys, galloping at full speed and firing their six-.shoot€rs in the air. " f?iay, sheriff," cried the mayor angrily, "you going to stand for this?" "I reckon I'm not," replied Posey Meed, the sheriff, as he went off to intercept the riders. At their head ho eaw a tall, handsome young fellovr, with clear blue eyes and a frank, open face. "Bnad Farley," he shoutfd, as the leader of the cowboys reined up out- side the hotel, "I've told you before— this town's growcd up, and we ain't st^mding for this shooting any more." "You don't say, sheriff,'- smiled Brad. " Well, we've had .some luck to-diay. Caught a fine lot of mustangs, and the boys arc a bit excited, that's all." "You've spoilt the reception," grumbled the sheriff. "We've got some gentlemen from the East in Bunscn, and they're going to invest some money here." "Ain't that sweet of them?" laughed Brad. "You laugh!" growled Meed. "We ■want some n)cn with money in Bunsen, I reckon." "Ye.s. If wc pay 'cm enough they'll put up buildings to hide the sky, and the country will be black with smoke ond the streets foul with petrol fumes. I wann.T. keep this country clean and fresh." "Huh!" snorted the sheriff. "You're too old-fashioned for these times. We aim to make Bunscn a real live town, and no more shooting tip in tiic streets, Farley, or I'll sure gaol you \" ' He went back to the hotel, and Stub Wallock, Brads foronian, a stout, hearty, good-natured fellow, nudged his boss significantly. "Say, Brad," he remarked, "there's Sue Vaneey, talking to some strange guy—one of these millionaires Posey was yarning about, I reckon." "You round up the horses and take 'em to Horton's corral," said Brad. "I'm going to speak to Sue." As Stub rode off. Brad Farley mounted the steps and approached Sue, who 'ooked at him with disgust, for the interruption of the reception had September 12tli, 1031. BOY'S CINEMA annoyed her very much. Still, she in- troduced him to Kcdge Darvis. "Mr. Darvis, meet Mr. Brad Farley," she .said, and the two men shook hands, eyeing each other with instinctive dis- like the while. "Say, Brad," said Mayor Horton, coming up, "I'll give you 1,400 dollars for those mustangs." " I'vp .sent 'em to your ■ corral, mayor," replied Brad, "and I'll take 1.300—all they're worth. I ain't rob- bing yo^i any then." "A.s you like,"' .said Horton, and he turned to one of his men. " Give Mr. Farley the 1,300 right now." 'J'he gniig.slers looked at each other in surprise, and rhey were still more aston- ished when the man went to an old- fa.shioned safe just inside the door, took out some notes, and gave them to Brad, who pocketed them at once. "Ho didn't even count 'cm," whis- pered Spot Skec, to whose mind such simple trustfulness was amazing. "I'd like to show you some of the old- fashioned things we have about here," said Brad politely to Kedge Darvis. "I don't think Mr. Darvis would bo interested," cut in Sue at once. " I'm givi?ig you a horse that will be just okay for you, Sue," said Brad, in some dismay at the girl's tone. " You could come along as well." "I've got quite enough horses," snapped Siic. "And I'm very busy— just now I" This time Sue's tone was so signifi- cant that Brad turned and slowly descended the steps, while Darvis watched him with a derisive smile. " I don't reckon to luiderstand women," muttered Brad as he mounted his horse, " but Sue beats me. Smiles from her yesterday, snidis to-day! She's falling for that guy Darvis, I reckon, and if he ain't a crook I never saw one in my life !" Brad Takes a Back Seat. HAMPSEY DELL. Sue's cook, was busy setting the breakfast next morning on a table in the open air just outside :!ie hou.'^e on the Vaneey Ranch. It was a bright, sunny morn- ing, and the servants were full of excitement, for the "capitalists" from the East were coming out to stay on the ranch. A feeble old man came stumbling up to the table and spoke to Hampscy. "Say, girl, \\here's Miss Vaneey?" he asked. "I've found gold—a real rich vein this time, an' I want to tell her about it." " Go away!" cried Hampsey im- patiently. "You're always finding rich veins, ond they're always no good. Go away, and don't bother me !" "iStrike " .Jackson, the old prospector, tottered away, looking disappointed, and Hampsey Dell thought no more about him. for she had noticed several ears coming up the road. To her sur- prise, they were accompanied by a crowtl of men on horseback, amongst whom she recognised Brad Farley and Stub Wallock. Brad had hoped to please Sue by get- ting his cowboys to escort her guests to the ranch that morning, but so far his hopes had been in vain, for the girl had not even looked at him. When the cars drew up, she beckoned to Stub Wal- lock, for she knew that the burly fore- man was very fond of Hampsey Dell. "I didn't expect to see you to-day. Stub," she said, as he came to the side of the car. "Well. Brad just thought he'd come," replied Stub, glancing at his boss. But Sue did not follow his glance, for she was still annoyed with Brad Farley. "You would like to come in and have Every Tuesday breakfast—and see Hampsey, wouldn't you?" she asked. " Sure I would. Miss Vaneey," cried Stub, beaming with delight. Sue got out and went up to the breakfast table, followed by the mayoi-, the siieriff, Kedgc Darvis and his men, and Stub Wallock. Stub did not get as far as the table. He saw Hampsey Dell on the veranda, and at once made in that direction. As for Brad Farley, .Sue had completely ignored his presence, and -lie sat moodily on his horse, watch- ing her, with bitter jealousy in his heart. "C'mon, boys!" ha cried after a minute or two. "We ain't wanted. We'll be going right now." "What about Stub?" objected a cow- boy. "He'll catch up," said Brad, turning his horse. "C'mon!" "Wait a minute!" shouted Tack Gill- up, Sue's foreman, running out and coming up to Brad. "What's your hurry? Ain't you coming in ?" " When a door is slammed in my face," replied Brad sourly, "I begin to think it is about time I went." " Oh, shucks '." cried Tack, whose secret hope was that Sue would before long be Mrs. Brad Farley. "Girls go by contraries. Now, if Sue Vaneey slams the door in your face, she really wants you to go and open it, I reckon." "Don't tliink so," said Brad unbeliev- ingly. "Well, you wait a minute!" exclaimed Tack Gillup. "I figure I've gotta plan, so you wait." He ran off, and Brad decided to wait a few minutes, though he had no idea what Sue's foreman meant to do. Btit Tack did not reappear, and at length Brad called to his men and rode .slowly off. looking back now and then. The cowboys had not gone far when a terrific hubbub of shouts and cries arose behind them. Tack'Gillup had carried out his plan. He had let a herd of lively young calves loose, and had carefully shepherded them towards the breakfast table in front of the ranch- house. The guests were still at their meal when the calves came scampering along. In vain the mayor, the sheriff, and the gangsters tried to drive them off as they stormed the partv. Over went the chairs as the startled guests scrambled to their feet, and, despite the best efforts of Kedge Darvis and Spot Skee. one calf, bolder than the rest, mounted tlie table and ran along it, scattering the crockery right and left. Tack Gillup appeared .suddenly and ran to the gate, shouting lor Brad. "Hi, Brad, come hack and help! Calves broken loose!' Brad and his men turned and came riding back. In a very few minxites the experienced cowboys had the animals back in their enclosure, and only Stub, running out hurriedly on foot from his talk with Hampsey Dell, had the worst of an encounter with a very lively calf, after a struggle in which both went to the ground._ "Say. Miss-Sue," said Tack Gillup, when the calves were safely corralled and the servants were repairing the ravages which the animals had made on the breakfast table—"say, ain't you going to ask tho.se boys to breakfast? They sure did better work with the calves than those millionaires you've got." fc\io was annoyed at lier forenia.n's tone, but she went out to the waiting cowboys with a smile. " You boys come along and havoi something to eat," she called. "Sure, miss!" yelled a dozen voices,