La Junta tribune., 1898-12-24
A ,FELON'S LOVE.
BY HENRY ". NESFIELD.
CHAPTER v.

CHAPTER v.
The sun had barely risen when the
moke from the huts showed that Red
mount had once more awakened to
he labor Of another day. The delici-
,us scent OF the wood fires as the flames
ose in the fresh morning air pro-
lained that tea was being made to be
erved out preparatory TO the two
,ours' work that had to be got through
,sspre breakfast-time.
Men stumbled out OF their huts,
owel and soap In hand. and struggled
iown to the creek to wash the cob
webs" out of their sleepy eyes.
,sMornin'. Doctor" cried one. as he
,assed the kitchen door.
Good hand at pium-duff. Doctor?"
inquired another. We'll see what
rou're made of on Sunday. mate. None
II your stickjaw. mind. Haw. haw.
And SO ON, each one having some
.ough. good-natured greeting for the
new chnm."
Thomss Baynes. the cook. was
mart, dapper-looking fellow. about
he average height, but slim. and he
vent about his work with rapidity
md style that created a good impress
'ion at once. In appearance he was
lark almost to swarthiness. but this
Nd evidently been produced by ex-
,osure to the sun. His boyish-looking
ace and youthful figure would certain
never have led any one to suppose
hat he was a married man; and. as
- H. aA 6FSt
.atchiEx sight OF him. he had gone IN
or double harness pretty early In the
lay"
The doctor, as the cook is generally
styled ON a station. proved himself
o be as punctual as he was compe-
ent, and as the clock struck seven
lie rang the great bell outside the hut
which called all hands to their meal.
Up they came. running and skylark-
ng. from the shed. hungry as wolves.
and eager to see what sort OF hand
the new chum" was likely to turn
gut
"Blessed II those scones amt tip
top" remarked a bearded stockman
with his mouth full. You keep at
shrt, youngster, and We shan't fail out.
We card as 'ow you were married
man-what's yer name? Tom!
Well. all I can say is. you've took the
plunge pretty early Why. you amt
got no whiskers yet. How old are
your
Twenty three" replied Tom Bay
nes. his face flushing at being made the
subject OF general scrutiny.
Twenty three! Well. you don't
look it."
Never mind. Tom--youil grow old
fart enough" shouted another. You
mustn't mind Black Dicks talk-he
don't mean 'arf what he says"
where's the missus?" inquired the
man who rejoiced in the name Of Dick.
'She is tired" replied Baynes She
Is never strong at the best Of times" !"
That's bad news. We was in hopes
OF 'aving few quadrille-parties and
s,ch like when we card lady was
coming up to jine us. 'Owever. you
give 'er my VERY kind respects and
tell 'er as 'ow I'll call in some time
this afternoon and drop card" con-
tinued the man, who had a high opin-
ion of his own witticisms.
Thus. with some coarse jests and
chafY. the meal passed of, and as the
mea strolled back to the shed the
gSreral opinion seemed to be that the
youngster knew what he was about.
and was a better cook than the dirty
old fellow who had preceded him.
Soon after they had departed. and
while Baynes was engaged In washing
UP tin plates and pannikins. Mr.. Hall
looked into the kitchen.
Getting on all right. Tom?" he in
auired cheeriiy. That's good job.
Roguish lot Of men up here at these
times, but they mean NO harm-you'll
soon get used to them. You think
You'll manage the work. Ell? There
are q good number of mouths to feed. -
II am not afraid of the work. sir. :"
replied Baynes. land think I shall get
on all right with the men. They all
seem good-tempered enough"
Az he spoke Mr.. Hall fancied he
detected q curiously sad tone In the
mans voice. and he thought what a
soft, gentle voice 1t was compared with
IN rough tones Of the ordinary bush
hand.
"Your wife-is she pretty we'll this
morning after her long journey" he
asked, scrutinizing him rather sharply.
.Yes, sir, thank you." replied Tom.
STOPPING down. n he answered, to pick
IN q cloth he had dropped.
Mr.. Hall will look In and see her. -
continued the master Of Redmount.
some time in the course Of the morn
ing
Thank you. SIR" answered Baynes;
"but would much rather-that is. she
would rather not-she 10 In such
very nervous state. and her eyes
trouble her 70 much. that II Mrs. Hail
would excuse her. perhaps she may