, 1906-02-21

Ann cut in with a grave face. belied
by something in her voice. y didn't
suppose a foreman would stoop to
cook"
The young fellow - What's
that!'
Ann went on, Il think it's nice of you,
Mr.. Raymond, to abase yourself to the
rim of a kettle"
Excuse me, lady, but He looked
about for Baker.
Ann interposed. '"rhats twice you've
called me lady No real cowboy ver
does that, I'm told, so you must be an
impostor."
Haymond'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 n graduate of Har-
ward university, like all superior cow
boys, and you have calamity volun-
teered to cook in order that we might
eat. Now, isn't this true?"
Raymond was stunned for Il moment,
but as she went on his head lifted, and
into his eyes leaped Il 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, a
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. | 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 | did not
leave my native town between two
days. Does this |disappoint your
"Most deeply. Are there no mitigat-
ing circumstances"
None whatever. l am hopelessly
commonplace. I'm not even a cowboy.
I'm foreman of Il hay ranch"
you destroy our dreams. But these
books are yoursY"
Raymond's eyes wavered. "Well, yes
some of them, but l don't care to
pose as the student rancher. The boys
respect me now because | can ride a
horse and pitch hay. | make it a point
not to air my other accomplishments
He was interrupted by Il 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.
"NVhat is that-Indians?'
Raymond smiled at Ann. mo, only
a bunch of cowboys passing" He
stepped to the door to study their APP
proach. "It's a mob of Williams men.
| 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 Il wrench at
the reins.
Hello, Bob" shouted the leader.
"IIowdy, boys-howdy?" he replied
coldly. 1t was plain he was not well
pleased by their inopportune call.
"Got anything TO eati" asked Il of
them as he staggered up.
Sure thing. Tidy up and come ill.,"
Raymond, turning to Ann, said gently:
perhaps you and the boy had better
step into the other room. This gang is
coming ill.,"
They're not d~angerousF'
No, but some of them are not fit to
eat in the presence of Il LADY,
Louis will want to see your guests"
VERY WELL" replied Raymond and
turned to meet his visitors, who APP
peared fresh from a hasty toilet.
come right in, boys. What's the best
word from over the ridgeg'
The man who entered first was Il big,
rawboned, wide mouthed, freckle faced
fellow, who gaped in amazement as he
caught sight of Ann. Hello! What's
all this?" he asked, launching the man
next him.
The insolent vulgarity of his tone
brought Il flush of anger to Raymond's
face. "Shut up!" he commanded i'll a
ioN NolNt' Ihcu dlutu III SNlis.h"tiOh,
"Some of Barnett's folks visiting the
ranch" AT the moment he hated them
all with a sudden realization of their
essential cheapness and their filthy
manners.
AS they took seats each man glanced
at Ann with f~urtive, devouring eyes,
and she thrilled under the scrutiny as
she would have done beneath the glare