El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-04-07
CONTINUED

MS tne ACTUAL repTeSeDlatlN OI tIle dD-
sent proprietor, she yet instinctively
turned to Brown as the one chiefly con-
. cerned in her entertainment, and there
was something that Jared upon hel
curiously in the growing sense of obli-
cation to him. The most careful hostess
could not have been more punctiliously
mindful of the comfort of favored
guest than had been these rough men.
The same thoughtfulness that had sent
the lunch to her room the night before
had spoken in the hot water for her
bath which the cook had been inspired
to bring to her door when he came to
call her in the morning, and later, when
he came to show her the way to the din
ing room, where she breakfasted alone,
1T was to find the table laid with all the
luxury and daintiness which the re-
sources of the establishment permitted,
not even forgetting bunch of fresh field
howers.in glass beside her plate. But,
while fully approaching each smallest
attention, the more that they were all
somewhat piquantly spiced with unex-
pectedness, she had yet rather accepted
everything as a matter of course, to be
paid for in due form. having gathered
that it was part of the regular bust
11ent for such travellers as happened
that way. There seemed a suggestion
almost humiliating in the manager s
simple speech. She felt drawn down
nearer the level of these men that they
had received her simply as a friend;
that she had been really their guest.
But this is preposterousl' she quick
ly protested. II was a perfect stran-
GER
Mr.. Ellery's sister couldn't be con-
sidered stranger at Cameron's ranch,
and besides 1 don't see who you could
pay anyhow, seeing that ] amt au-
thorized to collect bills, while Mr.
Cameron amt here himself, don't you
see?''
"And l suppose that there is no gin
ger jar Oh the mantelpiece?' she ex-
claimed, smiling vexedly.
"A which, blurted the astonished
ranchman, whose reading had evidently
never wandered within the realms Of
fiction as far as the adventures of Mrs.
Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine.
why should you not leave it for
your brother to settle with Mr.. Gamer
on?'' suggested Brown automatically.
They have so many business dealings
together that it would be easy for them
to attend to it. " And with this arrange
ment Miss Ellery was forced to be con-
tent, although still persuaded that this
account would never reach any more
substantial settlement than was ex-
dressed In her thanks.
II feel as if L had not thanked him
half enough, since he would let me give
him nothing else she remarked to
Brown, CHANGING back as they were
driving over the hill behind the house.
Il am sure you have quite over
whelmed him. he returned, smiling
broadly. Il hope, by the way, that you
have forgiven me for bringing you to
the place.
II am afraid it is you who are not
her cheeks flushing rather
Il feel that 1 was SO
last night. 1 ought to apollo
gize.
-"Oh, don't speak of it, - with rather
perfunctory courtesy.
II was SO tired, and it was all so
STRANGE she urged in extenuation.
81 hardly know what 1 did expect, but
it was all SO lovely, after all. Every
body was so kind, and you especially,
Mr.. Brown. By the way, I have not
thanked you for sending those maya
zines. 1t was SO very thoughtful.
81 was afraid you might have read
them, but l happened to have nothing
else. -
You are fond of reading?'' she OBJ
served tentatively.
s.Of light reading-yes. l enjoy the
magazines at odd moments l have no
time, even if L had the energy left, for
heavy literature "
You are very busy" This as ques-
ton.
"Generally time is not allowed to
grow heavy on my hands. y
Il am afraid l have taken you from
some work this morning. This with
polite regret, although it struck her
with an odd sense of dismay that he
might have sent somebody else to drive
he team, a contingency which she
promptly admitted to herself she would |
not have liked.
sOh, this!'' reodening slightly. Il
NOW the way so much better than the !
others that it was best / should come. y
Then, as though he would divert the :
subject from himself: II judge that you |
re interested in photography. You will !
ind fine field for snap shots at the K ,
ranch.
You know the placer she exclaimed
EAGERLY You have been there?'' /
Eyes; have been there. 1t is rather
nice country.
"Nicer than this, L hope" she re-
marked, with a somewhat cheapening
lance at the landscape before them.
mo better range, - smiling, with the
We of a cattleman, upon the vast fields