The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1893-04-11
A BATTLE FOR LOVE.

do were better known than were To
ny Gardner and Mat Roberts, who
rode together ON the t K ranch. They
had first met FIVE years previous on
the old Chisholm trail, coming up
from Texas i'll search of employment;
had secured the ranges of New Mexi.
co together and finally tlrifted over
onto the Rio Hontlo. where they Sc
cured places as riders on the ranch
above named
For five years they worked the I
Z cattle together. and the warm
friendship which existed between
them became n matter of comment
on every range for many miles ul
and down the tortuous valley of the
Hondo. They shared each others
blankets at the ranch and on the
trail. and with all their property,
what was Mats was Tony's and what
was Tony's was Mats.
Milt Carter. the foreman of the
< ranch. was regarded as the best
posted man ON stock and ranges in
eastern New Mexico. He was the ar
bitter in every contest; the referee in
every dispute. Newcomers sought
his advice before making invest.
ments. and old rancherS consulted
him before closing any deal of more
than minor magnitude.
A windand rainstorm of more than
usual violence struck the Hondo and
drifted the cattle all over the coun.
try. Alarmed by the binding rain
and terrific gale. they ran before the
storm, scattering wider and wider
over the country in their fight.
When the storm subsided, every
available rider was ordered into the
saddle to round up the fugitive stock.
Mat, you and Tony ride down the
river about 90 miles-down to the
mouth of Sand creek-an work back
up the valley. Ride all the rincons
and work close in the brush all along
the river. Bring up all you find OF
any brand"
In obedience to the foreman's in
structions the twoswung themselves
into the saddle and moved rapidly
southwark. About noon they reached
the mouth of small stream flowing
into the Hondo.
Reckon this must be Sand creek,
Tony. We've rid 20 good miles, an
this must be our trlrnin point Let's
git down an Craze our horses an eat
some lunch ourselves"
Isn't that smoke risin over that
point down thar, Mat1"
"B'lieve it is. Reckon somebody's
camped thar. Well ride down an see
who it's. :"
When they turned the point, but q
short distance ahead, they saw neat
ranch house near group of corrals.
Riding up to the door they hailed
the inmates, and a neatly dressed
woman answered the call.
Good day, mum"
"Howd'y do. boysf Git down an
come in. Dinners jest about ready,
and my husbandll be var soon. He
rode up the g1llch little ways after
beef steer. Jest take yer hosses ur
thar on that fiat, whar thar's good
grass.
They soon returned to the house,
and as they entered the door paused
in evident embarrassment not un
mixed with astonishment. A young
girl of about IS, pretty as wild rose
stood with her hands resting on the
kitchen table, smiling them a western
welcome
My daughter, Mary, boys. Amt
neither one o you told me your names
yit."
The information was impaired, and
the young girl advanced and shook
hands with the two cowboys.
I'm awful glad to see you, boys, ,
she said. Amt many people hap
pens along here now, an it's been a
long time since anybody from the
T X rode down, 'cept Milt. He draps
down now an then"
The boys embarrassment soor
wore off beneath the sociable conver
sation of the mother and daughter
and they began to feel quite at home
The young girl charmed them, and
when she would cast bright glance
at either he could feel its warm in
fuence permeate through the inmost
deaths of his heart.
Some persons may smile with in
credulity at reference to the bashful
ness of the cowboy. A bold knight
of the saddle and rope may be of 6
rough. reckless nature, fearless IL
disposition and cheeky" among his
fellow riders, yet glance from {
woman will cause the bushes to red
den his face and fill his soul witt
confusion. In his wild, rough life il
is seldom his eyes fall upon a female
face, and he holds the sex in almost
sacred veneration. He knows but
little of female society, and wher
thrown in contact with woman he
feels greatly embarrassed.
Wonder what keeps pop7" the
mother said See if you can't hurry
him up. Mary"
The girl took n Winchester rifle
from a rack on the wall, and step
ping to the door fired shot.
1t was answered by shout quar-
ter of mile distant, and Bill Rogers
the ranchman, soon appeared driving
a steer, which he penned in one o.
the corrals. Turning his horse out
to Craze, he entered the house anC
greeted the boys with welcoming
handshake.
Glad yer var, boys" he said, 'fu
the old woman won't cuss me afort
you. Every time l hear that CUR
crack know dinners a-spilin an shes