Valley of Blood by George G. Gilman

Author:George G. Gilman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: General Fiction, Genre Fiction, Westerns, Action & Adventure, Literature & Fiction
Publisher: Lobo Publications
Published: 2013-11-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

ARNIE CRADDOCK had free title to the Squareshooter ranch and everything on it. So he held the deeds and after breakfast the next morning Steele studied the papers, paying particular attention to the map showing the extent of the property. It was a long, narrow strip of country running across the valley from east to west, with natural boundaries on three sides. But to the south it was bounded by the Lucky Chance and the former Fairchild spread which was now, of course, entirely Chance land. From the land title and the inventory of buildings, contents and livestock the Virginian decided he had a bargain for the price he was paying, even making allowances for the damage caused by the stampede.

After the bitterly cold night, kept at bay from the cozy ranch house by log fires in every room, the new day dawned bright and clear. And the sun, once it was free of the big valley’s eastern rim, even radiated a little warmth. Enough to evaporate the sparkling carpet of frost covering the country by the time Steele had completed his examination of the equipment in the stable and barn.

When he returned to the house, a short list of requirements in his shirt pocket, the old man sat huddled in a winged chair before the living room fire. An expression of deep sorrow was etched into his face which looked older and gaunter. He had not shaved and his thin hair was disheveled. The delayed shock to the brutal death of his wife had been apparent at breakfast and now he seemed more withdrawn than ever into the limbo of harrowing grief.

“You going to be able to make it into town?” Steele asked from the doorway.

Kate was at a small side table, pouring a shot of rye into a cup of steaming black coffee. She sent a withering glance towards Steele. “He’s going to drink this then get back into bed.”

“Take time to drink the coffee,” the Virginian pointed out and went to a writing desk. He uncapped the bottle of ink, thrust a pen into it and set a sheet of paper on the blotter. “He can write a letter to the Land Registry while he’s doing it.”

“I insist.”

“It’s all right, Mrs. Fairchild,” the old man interrupted, getting up wearily from the winged chair. “I’m as anxious to shed the responsibilities of the Squareshooter as he is to take ’em on.” He sank into the creaking swivel chair at the desk and picked up the pen. “What you want me to write?”

Kate set down the cup on the desk, banging it and spilling some in a huff.

“Like one, too,” Steele said. “Unlaced.”

Then he began to dictate a letter, outlining Craddock’s reason for not being able to go to town and authorizing the ranch to be assigned to Steele’s ownership for a down payment of two thousand dollars cash against the total purchase price of forty thousand. The Virginian instructed the old man to address the envelope and seal the letter inside.

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