Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-01-29
HAMLIN GARLAND

, heartily hoped he would not be gone
long.
The men showed back one by one and
with sly, curious glances at the girl,
| sitting SO cold and white and still
against the WALL went out to smoke
| and discuss her with the driver Bak-
or, mindful of his duties, remained.
Don't be uneasy. miss. One of US will
stay here anyhow"
Louis was looking over his sketchins
material. his mind busy with plans for
work. when n shout outside announced
| Rayniond's return. The lad rushed to
the door "Oh, Ann, come quick. he
called moment later. Here he
| comes! Oh, can't he ride.'
Ann reached the door just as Ray
mond dashed up and swung from his
saddle. His voice was not loud, but
4 1t was stirring. Boys, the fire is
climbing the ridge, and we've got to
| fight It, Gather up your blankets and
gunny sacks Well find Williams over
there with some water barrels. Hustle
nov. I'll be along Il little later Tom,
you take charge till come
With groans and half jocular curses
the weary men. loyal to their duty,
scattered to rope fresh ponies and
| gather up such material MS they had
for fighting flame, while Raymond
came to the door and brusquely said
to Ann. I'm leave Baker to look after
you, Miss Rupert. hope you won't
mind"
| "Oh, certainly not" said Ann us firm
J ly as she could.
1 "Id like to go along!' cried Louis
inlay ~
you're needed right here" Raymond
sternly replied We're likely to be out
all night, and your sister needs you"
couldn't Baker go in your place.?
asked Ann very quietly.
Jack isn't very energetic. No; It's
my duty"
That's why I'd rather you stayed,
Ann said. III we should be attacked
by Indians or anything, Mr.. Baker
might be asleep"
He laughed Indians! There aren't
any within 200 miles Of here"
But you said you'd take care Of US,
and Mr.. Barnett has consigned us to
your care"
He warmed beneath the allurement
of her glance but how would 1t look
for the boss to remain comfortably at
home while a fire.
you're not the boss. You're only the
cook"
! His face lighted up. "True enough. "
| After q moments hesitation he added:
every well, consider me your protector
and cook. Baker is in for it." And
he went away filled with delicious
sense of having suddenly been honored
above his desert.
Ann was accustomed to men who
| flew to do her bidding, but this instant
| victory over the big rancher pleased
her unaccountably, and she laughed
softly, acknowledging glow Of con-
fldence and relief in the promise of his
presence.
Out by the corrals the trampling
and snorting Of excited ponies could be
heard mingled with the muttered oaths
of the men as they hurriedly roped and
! saddled. The sky was darkening rap
J idly, and the pillar Of smoke already
| glowed like brazen tower. 1t rose
! straight into the air for hundreds of
feet, then spread away into long,
level cloud, showing that the wind had
not yet begun to fan the flame.
At last the mG:l were all mounted
and, with final command from the
boss, spurred away into the gloom,
complaining, weary. but faithful. Ray
mond felt little foolish as he faced
the liveryman from Wallace.
''No I'm not going-at least not until
get Barnett's people fixed for the
night. You'll have to bunk in the tool
shed, reckon"
"That's all right. I'll curl down close
to my team. 1 don't want to run any
| risks with a lot of toughs like that
Williams gang cavortin' around. They
had just liquor enough aboard to make
'em reckless. I'd advise you to look out
for old Turkey Egg there. He has 1t in
for you"
Raymond was unimpressed. They're
halfway to Wallace by this time, and
besides, Speck is big bluff anyway.
| We're rid of him forever"
"Well, all is, when you meet him next
you pull first" the little man replied
very seriously.
Raymond walked slowly toward the
house. filed with a guilty JOY. In
] stead Of night of hard riding and Ia
borious wet bag swinging he had CIV
en- himself the pleasure Of sitting IN
| conversation with beautiful and cul-
tured girl. II haven't earned this" he
admitted. II don't deserve it. It's toe
good to be true, but Barnett will ap-
prove. Anyhow, I'm going to enjoy ii
while can
Nevertheless, this sense of being a
| sneak and a cheat threw over him
gloomy and preocccupied air which
vexed Ann, who began to question him
very much as she would have done mao
she discovered unusual powers III her
coachman. "How do you happen to DC
out here, Mr. Raymond?
He replied bluntly: II don't know.
came here six years ago because
hadn't any trade and the cattle bust
ness was attractive, and I've been here
ever since"