Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-02
HESPER A
BY HAMLIN GARLAND
Copyright, 1905. by Hamsia Garland N
Continued From Page Nine.)
BY HAMLIN GARLAND

NO w nat maue you tnlnk IL was
Raymond began to retreat. "Oh. /
don't know. You seemed about that
style. l mean TO say, you carry your
self like Smith college girl that came
down here once with Mrs. Barnett"
He caught up the water bucket. ''Ex-
cuse me q minute. I'll run down to the
spring and get some water" His GO
ing was equivalent to flight.
Ann smiled composedly as she slipped
her coffee, which was very good in
deed
Louis burst in at the door isis. you
ought to see the corrals out here. They
have ninety head of horses, Think of
that, And I'm to ride all want to-"
Baker. who appeared just behind
him, put in drawing word: Feared
like 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 W.. ii and
part of the time Ike r!uche:..
think he's playing Il part. and playing
IL badly
What makes you think so?" asked
Louis. They say he's Il 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 nOblcman i'll Disguise
Baker was always ready when
chance 10 get even with Raymond Of
fered itself. lie puckered his plump
face into Il frown of deep concern. Il
guess you're some right, miss, but he
amt no English lord. l don't think.
We never inquire very close into u
mans pedigree out here if he can ride
a cayuse and flip Il gun. But he's
American, all right, and Il good cook"
rs Cook his real name:'
Baker became cautious. Did he say
his name was Cook: If he did that
goes. I'm .:ot in the habit of disputing
him.
NO. he didn't tell his name, but he
intimated that L might call him Cook.
Your name is Raymond. isn't it,"
Baker was again slow to answer.
Did he intimate that my name was
Ann after looking at him i'll silence
gravely, "Of course, you're
both having fun with us because were
from the east, and 1 don't think ii
quite nice III YOU
Baker began to look distressed. "Oh,
see here, miss, you mustn't think
you're all wrong, Why, were delight
see
Ann turned to Louis Louis, you
are living out one of Owens stories
this very minute. 1 want you to stay
here until you can meet these people
On their own ground" She faced Bak-
ar again. Tell me more about this
cook. He's IL college man, and there's
some hidden mystery, as the story
books say. What brought him to this
pass? Is he "a fugitive from justice?"
Baker took a seat and appeared TO
ponder. We'll, now, 1 don't like to
say. You see, it amt safe to tell tales
IN Cook. If you'll swear not to breathe
l word
Hold up your hands, Louis. and
'wcarr' cried Ann. "Of course we
won't tell
Baker settled into his chair. You
mustn't blame him till You hear the |
lull story, but he killed Teller back |
.ast, somewhere in Illinois,
Ann started melodramatically. Real |
""
Baker, pleased with his success, add |
d. 1.-TWO of 'em, in fact
Louis. wide eyed with interest, What |
lid he do it for?"
Baker, glowing with pleasure in the
york of his own Imagination, cut loose
rom his mornings. 1t wds this way:
lie was counting girl-the daughter of
rich farmer-and her family was hot
'ecause Rob was poor, and her dad
ut another fellow on TO tell lies about
;ob's drinkin' and all that, and Rob
act up with this Teller and just natu-
ally piped him full of soft nose bullets.
hat led him to seek higher attitudes.
s the newspapers say. Now, that's the
lain truth of the whole business, as l
card it,
Louis pursued the inquiry. 'Who
'as the other man he killed."
The deputy sherf. Had to do that
} get away"
Ann looked about. You say he reads
lese books:"
when he has time. He dotes OH
m" l.
do you read them?"
Great Scott, no. I'd go to sleep 4
yer such things. The Boys Own is
bout my sizc.'' I
AIMS tone was reflective. That's {
ueer. Mr.. Barnett said you were n 1
reat reader"
Baker paled, then got red. He had l
alked into n clever little trap. He I
'riggled in his chair did he say !
lat! Well-I-I used to. but lately a
Ann looked at him keenly and said I
llmly: You also are an impostor. a
our name isn't Raymond-you're not e
he foreman. You are all bandits and Il