The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-06-29
CHAPTER XVI.

R--a6A emincntly successful as Il
G4HS&y financial operation, but there
are those in Swan Creek country who
have never been able to fathom the
mystery attaching to the affair." 1t was
at the fall round up, the beef round up.
as 1t is called, which this year ended
at the Ashley ranch. There were rep
resentatives from all the ranches and
some cattle men from across the line.
The hospitality Of the Ashley ranch
was up to its OWL lofty standard, and
after supper the men were in n state of
high eNhilaration. The Hon. Fred and
his wife, Lady Charlotte, gave them
selves to the duties of their position
as hosts for the day with q heartiness
and grace beyond praise.
After supper the men gathered round
the big fire which was piled up before
the long, low shed, which stood open In
front. 1t was Il scene of such wild and
picturesque interest as can only be
witnessed In the western ranching
country.
Bill, rs king Of the bronco busters,
moved about with the slow, careless
indifference of n mar sure of his posi-
" WIN c'tS VI lis tpilllS "
1t.
He spoke seldom and slowly, was not
as ready wittcd as his partner, Hi Ken
dial, but In act he was swift and sure,
and "in trouble" he could be counted
on He was, as they said, "a white
manAwhite to the back" which was
understood to sum up the true cattle
mans virtues.
"Hello, Bill" said n friend. "Where's
HI? Hain't seen him around"
"Nell, don't Jest know. Flo IN CO.
ing to bring up my pinto"
Your pinto? vat pinto's that2
You hain't Got no pinto"
"Mebbe not" said Bill slowly, "but 1
had the idce before you spoke that /
had"
"That so? Whar ii yc git him? Good
for cattle?"
The crowd began to gather.
Bill grew mysterious, and yer more
than usually reserved.
"Good fer cattle! We'll, L amt much
on gamblin'. but I've got a lcetle in my
pants that says that there pinto kin
outwork any blankcd bronco in this
outfit, glvin' him n fair show after the
CATTLE"
The men became interested.
"Whar was he ralsed~
Dunno"
"Whar d yc git him? Across the
line?"
mo" said Bill stoutly, "rlght in this
here country. The Dock there knows
him."
This at once raised the pinto several
points. To be known, and, as Bills
tone indicated, favorably known by
the Duke was n testimonial to which
any horse might aspire.
"Whar d We git him, Bill? Don't be
s o blanked communicating said an
impatient voice.
Bill hesitatcd; then, with an apparent
burst of confidence, he assumed his
frankest mannc and voice and told
his tale.
well" he said, taking n fresh chew
and offering his plug to his ncighbor,
who passed it on after helping himself,
''ye sec, it was like this. Ye know
that little Meredith gcl?"
Chorus of Eyes. The red
headed one. I know! She's n daisy!
Regular blizzard. Lightnin' CONDUCTOR"
Bill paused, stiffcncd himself n lit
tic, dropped his frank air and drawled
out In cool, hard tones: az might re-
mark that that young lady Is, I might
persoom to say, Il friend Of mine, which
I'm prepared TO back UP in my best
style, and if any blanked BANKED son
Of Il street sweeper has any remark to
make, here's his time now!'
In the pause hat followed murmurS
were heard cXtolling the many excel
lenccs of the young lady In question,
and Bill, %appcascd, yielded TO the re.
quests for the continuance of his story,
and as he described Gwen and her pin
to arh her work on the ranch the men,
many OF whom had had glimpscs of
her, gave emphatic approval I'm their
own way. But as he told of her rescue
Of Joe and Of the sudden calamity that
had bcfallcn her ~ great stiffness fel.
upon the simple, tender hearted fell
lows, and they listened with their eyes
shining In the freight with growing