Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-02

knew 1 couldn't keep the game going"
He rose, and his manner changed.
Now listen. I'll tell you the square
toed truth. 1t was my turn to cook,
and Raymond-that's our boss-when
| he heard you was comm, KNOWN l
couldn't cook sour bran mash. says:
Baker, you'll have to play boss while
the company's here. I've got to toss
up the bacon and prunes. Now that's
the fact, lady"
Ann, with conviction, tarned to Louis:
"Now 1 believe he's telling the truth.
What is your name?"
John Edwin Baker-Jack, the boys
call me. 1 never had any other name,
I'm sorry to say, and came here from
Kansas. / never killed anything big
germ a coyote. I'm just plain COW
puncher at twenty-sfx per month"
| Raymond, reappearing at the door.
put them all into guilty confusion. His
eyes We're too keen to be withstoOd.
and AIMS lashes fell for moment as
he offered the dipper. Like a cool
drink, lady?"
| She recovered herself instantly.
THANK you, if you will be so kind"
Raymond threw n glance at Baker
that propelled him through the door
way as palpably as Il kick, then turned
to Louis How does the grub go,
youngster?''
"Bully" replied the boy as he took
up spoonful of rice His eyes follow
ed the little figure of the rancher with
| joy.
Ann cut in with grave face, belied
| by something in her voice. - didn't
suppose a foreman would stoop to
cook"
The young fellow frowned. whats
| that
Ann went on, Il think it's nice of you,
Mr.. Raymond. TO abase yourself to the
| rim of kettle"
Excuse me. lady, but He looked
about for Baker.
Ann interposed. That's twice you've
called me lady No real cowboy ever
does that. I'm told, so you must be an
impostor''
Raymond's face flushed with anger.
'.See here. What has that fat jackass
been saying TO You about me?'
Ann, calmly smiling, made her
charges specific You're not the cook.
You're called Robert Raymond. You're
the foreman and a graduate of Har-
ward university, like all superior cow
boys. and you have gallantly volun
teercd to cook i'll order that we might
eat Now, isn't this true:'
Raymond was stunned for moment,
but as she went on his head lifted, and
into his eyes leaped spark of red
light. Wait till sight that scoundrel.
You'll have a fine chance to study Il
cowboy in action. What else did he
say"
HE told us all about your fight with
your rival. 1t was very thrilling. It's
like being Il character in IL novel one
self. I'm quite exalted by the thought"
Raymond'S eyes ceased to glow,
faint smile quivered at the corners of
his lips as he bowed gracefully. Miss
Rupert, permit me TO astonish you still
more My name, though alliterative, is
my own. l have never killed Il man
he looked toward the door-"that in
credible ass will be my first. l am not
Il graduate of Harvard, and l did not
leave my native town between two
days. Does this disappont you:"
Most deeply. Are there no mitigat-
ing circumstances
None whatever. l am hopclcssly
commonplace. I'm not even Il cowboy.
I'm foreman of hay ranch
You destroy our dreams. But these |
books are yours"
Raymonds eyes wavered. well, yes |
some of them, but | don't care to |
pose as the student rancher. The boys |
respect me now because l can ride !,
horse and pitch hay. | make il Il point |
IiSir 60
He was interrupted by series of |
faint yells, and as they all listened the |
swift trample of horses hoofs could be |
heard. Louis sprang up, all excite |
ment, his eyes glowing.
What is that-Indians:
Raymond smiled at Ann. NO, only |
u bunch of cowboys passing" He |
stepped TO the door TO study their APP |
proach. Its Il mob of Williams men.
l don't know what they're doing here"
The rush and trample of hoofS swept |
nearer, and IL group of five drab col
ored horsemen drew up at the hitching |
pole with loud Outcries, each man set
ting his pony on end with a wrench at
the reins.
Hello, Bob" shouted the leader.
"IIowdy, boys-howdy: he replied
coldIy 1t was plain he was not well
pleased by their inopportune call.
Got anything to eat?" asked one OF
them as he staggered up.
''Sure thing. Tidy up and come in"
Raymond, turning TO Ann, said gently:
Perhaps you and the boy had better
step into the other room. This gang is
coming in"
They're not dangerous?"
NO, but some of them are not fit to
Eat in the presence of lady"
Louis will want to see your guests"
Very well,' replied Raymond and
.urned TO meet his visitors, who ap-
,eared fresh from hasty toilet.
Come right in, boys. What's the best |
word from over the ridge?"
The man who entered first was big |