, 1906-02-21

did lie intimate that my name was
RaymondI'
Ann after looking at him in silence
remarked grayely, "Of course, you're
both having fun with is because we're
from the east, and | don't think it
quite nice in YOU
Baker began to look distressed. "Oh,
see here, miss, you mustn't think
you're all wrongl Why, we're delight
ed-we-you see
Ann turned to Louis. Louis, you
are living out one Of Ovens stories
this very minute. | want you to stay
here until you can meet these people
ON their own ground" She faced Bak-
er again. Tell me more about this
cook. lies Il college man, and there's
some hidden mystery, rs the story
books say. What brought him to this
pass? Is he Il fugitive from %justice?'
Baker DOL IL seat and appeared to
ponder. well, now, | don't like to
say You see, it amt safe to tell tales
on Cook. If you'll swear not to breathe
a word"-
Hold up your hands, Louis, and
sweari' 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 II Teller back
east, somewhere in Illinois,"
Ann started mechanically. "Real-
lyr
Baker, pleased with his success, add
ed, 1.-Two of EN-, in fact"
Louis, wide eyed with interest, what
did he do it forf'
Baker, glowing with pleasure in the
work of his W imagination, cut loose
from his mornings. 1T was this way:
He was counting Il 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
Rob's drinkin' and all that, and Rob
met up with this Teller 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 l
heard it."
Louis pursued the inquiry. "Who
was the other mar he killed."
1.-THE deputy sherf. Had to do that
to get away"
Ann looked about. You say he reads
these booksY"
"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"
AIMS toni 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
wriggled in his chair. did he say
that? Nell-I-I used to, but lately
Ann looked at him keenly and said
calmly: You also are an impostor.
Your name isn't Raymond-you're not
the foreman. You are all bandits and
have stolen my Cousins ranch and are
running it to suit yourselves. l believe
you killed poor old Mr.. Jones and his
Wife,"
Louis sprang to his feet. Cam, what
do you mean!'
Baker threw up both hands. Hold
on! Don't shoot I'll come down. |
knew ] 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, turned to Louis:
''Now l believe he's telling the truth
What is your name?"
John Edwin Baker-Jack, the boys
call me. I never had any other name,
I'm sorry to say, and l came here from
Kansas. I eve killed anything big
germ a coyote. I'm just a plain COW
puncher at twenty-siX per month";"
Raymond, reappearing at the door,
put them all into guilty confusisn . His
eyes were too keen to be withstood,
and AIMS lashes fell for a 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 a 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?"