Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-03-23

interests me. MISS RUPERT VIII only
stay few days to get the lad set
tied"
"She can't stay too quick to suit me-"
Bakers voice took on Il little more
expression as he read Barnett's ap-
peal. Now, don't be cranky, old
man. The Ruperts are good stuff, and
on Mrs. Barnctt's ACCOUNT
"Ends UP by laying me under obliga-
ton TO his wife, knowing mighty we'll
I'd DO anything for her. Well, I'll do
1t, but | reckon the atmosphere wont
bake Il cake while she's here. I'll leave
you and Dutch to do the talking.
Thatll chill her cold"
Eakcr began to show alarm. mot
by hatful. Right here is where ]
take sneak"
Iiaymonds brow darkened and his
eye; threatened. NO you don't, my
Christian friend and neighbor. You
remain right here and do the honors.
You will pass for the boss. I've got
to cook"
Great Peter, you mustn't do that.
l can't carry it through. Pm no
spieler."
"play the mouth organ for her."
"Oh, see here, you're jOshin'."
You won't find it any josh You've
been getting gay with me lately and
need discipline. You pass for the fore
man. Understand? You amuse the
girl and pose for the. boy, while
knock pots. That is settled. Now take
the pail and rustic some water, and
don't you peep"
Perry, entering at the door with an
armful Of brush, called out, with quiet
Joy, 1.-The sonora has Gomez"
Raymond seized him by the arm.
"Listen here, Perry. The old man has
written down to say that he has made
Jack the boss. I'm going to cook
few days, and then leave. You tell
the other boys that Jack Baker is made
foreman, and they've got to obey him.
You sable"
Perry grew solemn Of face. Il sable.
If you go, CO."
"Never mind that Get out there and
help take care Of the team, and, Jack,
YOU 30 too" lie laid hand on his
back and pushed him through the door
way just as the two seated hack round
ed the corral and drew up to the door.
"Oh. isn't this fnew called n clear,
bo, ish voice, and a moment later the
cool, deliberate voice Of n girl replied:
"Oh, what a blessed relief after the
hot sun of the plain"
| Then Baker was heard to say, with
elaborate courtesy: "Shall help you
out, miss? reckon you are the friends
| Of the old mani mean Barnett" And
a moment later the young girl stood in
the doorway looking out at the plain.
Raymond gave her but one glance from
the corner Of his eyes, but her firm,
well balanced body and calm, high
bred face touched him with admiration.
| His resolution to be disagreeable weak
ened, though he kept about his work.
81 never knew how grateful the shade
of tree could be-" Ann said partly to
Louis and partly to Baker. Is it al
ways so flercely bright here?"
"Oh, no; this is an unusual spell. l
mean 1t is rather
She was now aware of Raymond
moving sullcnly about in the gloom
wherein the stove sat. He was dressed
in a light tan, loosely fitting shirt and
| brown trousers without braces. His
spurs ratified at his heels as he walked
| TO and fro, 1.-THE aud powerful. lie did
not look up-did not appear to notice
what was going on, but came and
went at his work, deft and absorbed.
Louis was instantly delighted with
the room. isn't this ripping" he ex-
claimed as he studied it's furnishings.
won't this make strong background
for an illustration? Only that stove
isn't it too bad?-that's all out OF key.
Why don't you have a fireplace, MIR.
Raymond?' he asked, turning to
Baker.
Raymond gave Baker q glance, and
the plump one waded in: TOO little
wood in this country. Cook, draw up
d chair for the lady"
Raymond's eyes flashed with silent
menace, but he did as he was told, and
as he put the chair down for Ann he
busted it with his hat.
Louis was husky voiced with joy.
"Did you see that, Ann? I'll have to
work that in somewhere"
Baker continued, in the same tone,
Cant you rustic little grub for the
company, Jack"
Raymond CURLY replied, "Pll try
hard"
Baker, who was gaining self control,
turned to Ann. 1--WE have to humOr
our cooks out here. They're scarce and
mighty uncertain in their minds-stop
and shy at nethin', like locoed steer"
Louis clappel his hands. "Oh, isn't
the talk good, Ann? And these chairs
aren't they fine"
"Cook made EN-" said Baker. "He's
handy as bootjack with TOOLS"
Ann ignored the chairs, but studied
the cook, whose curiOusly absorbed,
sullen yet deft movements interested
her. lie appeared to be about thirty
years of age, and his lean, powerful
figure dignificd the rough and dust
stained clothes he wore. His profile
was stern and manly, but his chin was