Telegram-herald., 1890-02-07

fore. Here " ere ths fresh hOof pflAls 10
tie trail and Is Was eyideaI that tue
rider had dism0unted, opened the gate
led ais horse through. closed AID last
ened lt. then renoanted and hidden
away. Perry was pizinsman enough 10
read this from the hoof prints. studying
them carefully. look OF surprise came
into his face, he bent down and closely
examined the TWO or three that were
most clearly defined upon the trall. then
gave a .ong whistle as a means Of eI-
pressing his feelings and giving play 70
his astonlshmenL
johnny Eul holds himself too hign
and mighty . have anything 70 do with
Us blarsted Yankees, II seems, except
when he wants his horses shod these
shoes were set at the post blacksmith
shop. or I'm a duffer," was the heuten-
ants verbal comment Now. how was
T. done without the quartermaster's
knowing IL That's the cavalry shoe!"
ronaerIng over tnIs UNLOCKED for reve-
lation, MIR Perry once more mounted
and turned his disappointed steed again
down stream. At last, full half a mile
farther on, he saw that a wire fence ran
southwark again AGREES the prairie, as
though marking the eastern boundary
Of the homestead inclosure. and con-
jecturing that there was probably trail
along that fence and an opening through,
even if the southeastward line should be
found fenced still farther, he sent Nolan
through the Monee 10 the open bank on
the northern side. cantered along until
the trail turned abruptly southwark,
and. following il, found himself once
more at the fence just where the heavy
corner post stood deeply imbedded In
the soil Sure enough, here ran another
fence straight up the gentle slope to the
south. a trail along It's eastern side. and
a broad cattle gap. dusty and tramped
with the hoofs of thousand steers, was
left in the fence that prolonged down
stream, spanned the northern boundary.
Inside the homestead lot all was virgin
turf
Following the southwark trail, Perry
rode briskly up the long incline. IL was
east of this fence he had seen the cattle
herds and their mounted watchers. lie
was far beyond the ranch buildings, but
felt sure that once well up on the prairie
he could have an uninterrupted view of
them and doubtless meet some Of the
ranch people and satisfy himself what
there was in the stories OF their churlish
and repe,lent demeanor The sun was
climbing higher all this time, and ne.
eager in pursuit OF his reconnaissance,
gave little heed TO feeting minutes. If
fair means could accomplish ii. he and
Nolan were bound 10 have acquaintance
with DUnraven Ranch.
Ten minutes easy lope brought him
well up on the prairie There-w estward
now-was the mysterious clump of brown
buildings. Just as far away rs when he
stood, baiiled and disappointed, by the
gateway on the Dionee Here. leading
away towards the distant buildings. was
a bride path Here in the fence was a
gap just such as he had entered on the
stream, and that gap was barred and
guarded by the counterpart Of the first
gate and firmly secured by paddock
that was the others twin. Mr. Perry's
comment at this point OF his explora
tions was brief and characteristic. If not
objectionable Ye gave vent TO the same
low whistle. half surprise. half vexation,
that had comforted his soul before. out
supplemented the whistle with the
unnecessary remark: We'll I'll be
d9muodr
Eveu ,olan entered his protest against
such incredible exciusiveness. Thrustlng
his lean head far over the topmost wires
as before he signaicd long and shrill--
neigh that would have caught the ear
of anv horse withia a mile-and then,
all alert be waited for an answer. It
came coating ora the Using wind. a re-
sponsive call. a signal as eager and con
fdent as bis own. and Nolan and No
lan's rider whirled quicsly around q see
The source from whence it rose. -Four
hundred wards away just appearing over
q lItt.c s1oll ia the prairie and moving
towards them from the direction Of a
distant clamp Of g-azlug cal,le. another
horse and rider came ,-ouilg into hail
i1c distance: and Perry. his bright blue
eyes dilaiing. and Nolan. h.. dainty. sen
sitee ears pricked forward turned
promptly 70 NEE; and greet the new ar
rI,als
For fifty yards or So tho Stranger rode
confidently and al l.Pid tro' Perry
smIuxlv watched TIE ou-turue1 toes.
Che hahting. "beut over seat ami an-
cu.srci5ows that seemed So strange ami
o1t ~ place on tie broad Texan plain
He could almost see the crop in the
fr.o hand. and was smiling 20 himself
at th- nlea of "crcp 90 open vire
gases vHon he became aware = tha
factt.at the strangers m.en had chang
el. confidence wss givir- place o. hes
fancy. aaI be wss evidsatIv checking
era rsr rrot of his horse and taroTiuz
his weight back on tie cant.e. while hs
feet frst through % t1e verT heels ia
the cleaning steel ssirr1Ius were trac-i
in 'front.' p the powerful shoulders n tie
hay TEE horse wanted on come. fhe
rfsr plainly wanted 30 sto7 Another
moment and Perry ccu,3 sea ffat rhs
stranger wore ereel3s=es a-5 bad just
su-cee1ed IN triigi-r Them c1 tls nose
s-i was e srlna ~ him vta ns chin
'i-n tn ar Inev wera -nin tro r8a-
drel yards of earh ofrer hr ths fTa
a-1 60 PerrT's ssco- Sinners tae next
t6s1z fre stranger f1 vas F. tach
sharply h.s 1o~re wh trre h-e
Vhirl hra so..sfll7 saot s-3 - bt-