Read Online Lassiter Tough by Loren Zane Grey - Free Book Online Page B

off the windows. She saw her brother go inside.
    â€œIt’s about you marrying Rep Chandler,” Lassiter said when she continued to stare at the saloon. “Millie, are you listening?”
    She faced him, a faint smile on her lips. “Let’s take a walk,” she suggested and started for another vacant lot behind the store. It was deeply rutted from wagon wheels.
    â€œMy real name is Millicent,” she said with a little laugh. “My mother named me. I love it. But nobody ever calls me that.”
    â€œI will . . . Millicent.”
    â€œYou don’t have to.” Smiling wistfully, she looked up into his face as they walked together. Then she sobered. “My brother’s in town.”
    â€œI saw him.”
    â€œYou’re not afraid?”
    â€œCome what may.”
    Her eyes were excited for a moment, then the fire went out of them. “You mentioned Rep Chandler.”
    â€œYeah, it’s what I want to talk to you about.”
    â€œI’ve concluded that the only door left open for me is to marry him.”
    â€œYou’re your own boss. You can do what you want. You ran away once, why not again? I’ll help. . . .”
    â€œBrad would hunt me down like he did last time.”
    â€œNo . . .”
    â€œBrad says Vince was your friend. Rep told him.”
    â€œA good friend,” Lassiter said, the scene of death coldly etched in his mind.
    â€œAll the time we were together, Vince Tevis never made a move on me.”
    â€œWhat if he did? I sure wouldn’t hold it against you. All I want to do is help. . . .”
    â€œOn nights if we had a roof over our heads, Vince gave me the bed. He slept on the floor in his bedroll.”
    â€œMillicent, Millicent, I don’t
care
.”
    â€œBefore that, we slept out till one night horse thieves hit us. From then on, we went by stagecoach.” Her voice caught. “So Vince died. I’m sorry.”
    â€œYour brother killed him. . . .”
    â€œNo. It was Bolin who shot Vince. I’m pretty sure of it.”
    â€œI don’t believe that.”
    â€œBut it’s true.” She described Bolin so accurately that Lassiter knew he was the one killed in front of the adobe shack. But he still didn’t believe her story. It seemed she was trying to protect Sanlee. But why, after the way he had treated her?
    â€œI knew that if I ran this time, Brad would hunt me down if it took five years. You see, he’s made his plans and no one better interfere. So that’s why I’ve decided to marry Mr. Chandler. It’s what Brad wants. And it’ll save trouble in the end.”
    â€œHe’s threatened you in some way.”
    â€œMy mind’s made up.” Her black hair had the sheen of pure silk in the sunlight.
    â€œIt’s your life, but I think you’re foolish.” They had halted next to a storage shed beside the store. Across the vacant lot on the west side of the store was a saddle shop, next to that was the bank.
    â€œIf you stay on as Chandler’s foreman, my brother will be afraid to make his move.”
    â€œDid Chandler suggest that?”
    Instead of answering, Millie’s black eyes sparkled. “Oh, I know what Brad wants to do. He thinks I’m weak. He’s always planned to use me as a pawn.” The corners of her generous mouth were firm. “He thinks I’m worthless. A lot of people do. . . .”
    â€œThat’s fool talk, Millicent.”
    She gave a little laugh. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, call me Millie. I’m more than used to it by now.”
    Lassiter tried to argue against the marriage, but she was adamant. “Brad Sanlee is my half brother. His father and my mother were . . . friends. Even before the wife, Brad’s mother, died. I’m only telling you this because everyone in this part of the country knows it and you’ll hear it soon enough.” She sounded bitter.
    â€œWhat