Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-02-09
HArGJTlI GARLAND

deed.
 Louis burst in at the door, "Sis. 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 ill q drawIng word: "'peared like he wanted to ride four to once. like Il circus man. Are you gettin' somethin' to eat, miss:"
 "Oh, yes, indeed.
 Louis, throwing down his cap in im- 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 part of the time like q rancher think he's playing part. and playing it badly"
 What makes you think so?' asked Louis. They say he's q bully rider''
 "They ain't 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 all 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. "l guess you're some right, miss, but he ain't no English lord, 1 don't think. We never inquire very close into mans pedigree out here if he can ride a cayuse and hip gun. But he's American, all right, and good cook"
 '1s Cook his real name?"
 Baker became cautious. "Did 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 intimatCl that 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 ill silence remarked gravely, of course, you're both having fun with Us because we're from the east and 1 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 turned to Louis. Louis, you are living out one of Owens stories this very minute. l want you to stay here until you can meet these people on their own ground" She faced Bak CT 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 he fugitive from justice?"
 Baker took seat and appeared to ponder. Well, now, I don't like to say. You see, it ain't safe to tell tales on Cook If you'll swear not to breathe a word"-
 Hold up your hands, Louis. and sweurv 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, 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. Tt was this way: He was courting q 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 Robs drnkin 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 kiIied?'
 "lhe Geppity sherf Had to do that to get away"
 Aitu lOOhtu aOOut. Ou Say ue CeIuS these books:'
 When he has time. He dotes on en-
 Do you read them?"
 Great Scott. no. I'd go to sleep over such things. The Boys Own is about my size
 Ann's tone was reflective. That's queer Mr, Barnett said you were a great reader
 Baker paled, then got red He had walked into a clever little trap. He Wri@gled in his chair Did he say that: WeIl-!-I used to, but lately
 Ann looked at him keenly and said eaanIy: You also are an impostor. Your name isn't Haymond-you're not the foreman You are all bandits and have stolen my cousins ranch and are running t to suil yourselves I believe you kjled poor oll Mr. Jones and hi; Wife"
 Lon. ~pan& t4 ll.s feet. Ann. what &aIag l-oan;.'
 Baker threw rp 1s9eG hau3s. 'TIohl