The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-07-25

like a circus man. Are you gettin'
somethin' to eat, miss?''
"Oh, yes, indeed"
Louis, throwing down his cap in imi-
tation of Raymond, cried out, I'm
hungry
Ann turned to Baker. ''Mr. Fore
man, isn't there something mysterious
about your cook? Part Of the time he
speaks like man of the world and
part of the time like rancher. /
think he's playing part, and playing
it badly"
"What makes you think 500" asked
Louis. "They say he's bully rider
"They AMT none better, miss" re
Piled Baker, who began to look little
uneasy.
Ann pursued her point. Il think
he's one Of those romantic cowboys
who have seen better days-perhaps an
English nobleman in disguise"
Baker was always ready when
chance to get even with Raymond Of
fered itself. He puckered his plump
face into a frown of deep concern. II
guess you're some right, miss, but he
amt no English lord, don't think.
We never inquire very close into
mans pedigree out here if he can ride
cayuse and flip gun. But he's
American, s.n right, and good cook"
:GIc (yool- l,ic real namoV'
Baker became cautious. Ibid he say
his name was Cook? If he did, that
goes. I'm not in the habit Of disputing
him"
'.No, he didn't tell his name, but he
intimated that I might call him Cook.
Your name is Raymond, isn't it?''
Baker was again SLOW, to answer.
did he intimate that my name was
Raymond?
Ann after looking at him in silence
remarked sravely, "Of course, you're
both havins; fun with us because we're
from the east, and don't think it
quite nice in you
Baker began to look distressed. "Oh,
see here, miss, you mustn't think
you're all wrong! Why, We're delight
ed-we-you see''-
Ann turred to Louis. "Louis, you
are living out one Of Ovens stories
this very minute. I want you to stay
here until you can meet these people
on their own ground" She faced Bak-
er again. "Tell me more about this
cook. He's a college man, and there's
some hidden mystery, as the story
books say. What brought him to this
pass? Is be a fugitive from justice?"
Baker took seat and appeared to
ponder. well, now, I don't like to
say. You see, it amt safe to tell tales
on Cook. If you'll swear not to breathe
a word''-
Hold up your hands, Louis, and
swear cried Ann. ''Of course we
won't tell
Baker settled into his chair. "You
mustn't blame him till you hear the
hull story but he killed feller back
east, somewhere in Illinois"
Ann started melodramatically. "Real-
ly?'
Baker, pleased with his success, add
ed, 1.-TWO Of 'em, in fact
Louis, wide eyed with interest what
did he do it for?''
Baker, glowing with pleasure in the
work of his own Imagination, cut loose
from his .moorings. "It was this way:
He was courting girl-the daughter Of
a rich farmer-and her family was hot
because Rob was poor, and her dad
put another fellow on to tell lies about
Rob's drinkin' and all that and Rob
met up with this feller and just natu-
rally piped him full of soft nose bullets.
That led him to seek higher attitudes,
as the newspapers say. Now, that's the
plain truth of the whole business, as
heard it.
Louis pursued the inquiry. 'Who
was the other man he killed.
'4The deputy sherf. Fad to do that
to get away"
Ann looked about. "You say he reads
these bocks?"
when he has time. He dotes on
'em.''
'Do you read them?''
'.Great Scott, no! I'd go to sleep
over suca things. The Boys Own is
about my size.'
AIMS tone was reflective. That's
queer. Mr.. Barnett said you were a
great reader"
Baker paled, then got red. He had
walked into clever little trap. He
wriggled in his chair. 'Did he say
that? Well-I-I used to, but lateiyr-
Ann locked at him keealy and said
calmly: You also are an impostor.
Your name isn't Raymond-you're not
the foreman. You are all bandits and
have stolen my cousins ranch and are
running it to suit yourselves. believe
you killed poor old Mr.. Jones and his
wife"
Louis sprang to his feet ."Ann, what
do you mean?'
Baker threw up both hands. Hold
on! Dent shoot. TIL come down. I
knew T co111Gn't l.aan tho traue eyoinon