Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-02-21

cOlnlnS IS an imposition, but If had
known-please be kind enough to adj
nit that didn't know how YOU were
situated"
Raymond resumed his cowboy man.
her. Now, lady, YOU let that so. l
doa't blame you a hair. You're here,
ana I'll see-I mean, the boss will see
we'll all sce-that the boy is treated
right, and I'll guarantee that he gets a
fair share Of what's going. I'm not
apologizing, but l hope you won't take
us on the wrong slant hope you'll
come often. You brighten up the place
wonderfully"
Ann drew herself up. II don't UNDER
stand you, Mr.
Call me cook-AIr. Cook Anything
goes out here"
They We're now squared before each
other, he with n malicious smile Turk
ing ut the corner of his mouth, she
with dark and puzzled brow.
"Of course, you cowboys are all
strange to mel mean your manners
and customs-but my roommate at col
lege told me good deal about this life.
size was from Colorado.
He betrayed new interest. "What
was your college? Smith,"
Ann lifted her eyebrows in surprise.
mo. What made you think it was?
Raymond began to retreat. ooh,
don't know. You seemed about that
style. mean to say, you carry your
self like a Smith college girl that came
down here once with Mrs Barnett"
He caught up the water bucket. "Ex-
cuse me minute. I'll run down to the
spring and get some water" His 60
/ ing was equivalent to flight.
| Ann smiled composedly as she slipped
Fher 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: "'Peared
/ like lie wanted to ride four to once,
| like a circus man. Are you gettin'
| somethin' to eat, miss"
1 "Oh, yes, indeed"
Louis, throwing down his cap in imi-
| tation Of Raymond, cried out, I'm
llungryw
| Ann turned to Baker. "Alr. Fore.
man, isn't there something mysterious
about your cook? Part Of the time he
| speaks like Il man of the world and
| part of the time like rancher. 1
think he's playing part, and playing
it badly"
! What makes you think SOP asked
Louis. "They say he's bully rider"
'.They amt none better, miss" re-
| piled Baker, who began to look a little
uneasy.
Ann pursued her point. II think
/ he's one of those romantic cowboys
who have seen better days-perhaps an
English noblelnan in disguise"
Baker was always ready when a
chance to get even with Raymond Of
fered itself. He puckered his plump
face into frown Of deep concern. 81
guess you're some right, miss, but lie
amt no English lord, don't think.
! We never inquire very close into u
AAAoh l'SNa5iSS OuI llSlG IL AC Suh llUC
cayuse and flip Il gun. But he's
American, all right, and good cook"
..ls Cook his real name!"
Baker became cautious. "Did he say
his name was Cook? If he did, that
goes. Pm not i'll the habit Of disputing
him."
NO, he didn't tell his name, but he
infi11nf aI thcf min Il,
Your name is Raymond, isn't it?''
! Baker was again slow to answer.
Did. lie intimate that my name was
i Raymond"
Ann after locking at him in silence
remarked grave. of course, you're
both having fun With Us Lecduse we're
| from the east, and l 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 Sec
| Ann turned to Louis. Louis, you
| are living out one of Owens 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. He's college man, and there's
| some hidden mystery, as the story
books say. What brought him to this
pass? Is he Il fugitive from justlce?"
!! Baker took Il seat and appeared to
! ponder. well, now, don't like to
| say. You see, it amt safe to tell tales
4 on Cook. If you'll swear not to breathe
/ al word"-
! Hold up your hands. Louis, and
swear!" 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 a Teller back
! east, somewhere in Illinois,"
| Ann started mechanically. "Real-
ly:"
Baker, pleased with his success, add
! ed, 1.-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 moorngs. ut was this way:
He was counting a 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, MS
heard it."
Louis pursued the inquiry. "Who
was the other man he killed?
"The deputy sherf. Had to do that
to get away"
Ann looked about. "You say he reads
these books"
"When he has time. He dotes on
; sem."
do you read themY
"Great Scott, no! I'd go to sleep
over such things. The Boys Own is
about my size"
AIMS tone was reflective. That's