Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-02-28

fill my place."
$50 am l." said one Of the other cow
boys, dark, smileless fellow nearly
forty years OF age.
They're talking about Sky camp"
whispered Louis, 1.-THE new mining
town."
The talk among the men shifted again
to discussion of the fire. II hope
Bob won't order us out to fight it to-
night. I'm tired us dog" said one Of
the men.
1.-THE way l put it up is this" bleat-
ed the liveryman: "That fire started
from somebody campin' over on Birch
creek, and it's way beyond the ridge
It's got to cross that rocky wash be-
fore it can do any damage"
well, We'll know when Rob gets
back" replied Baker, and Ann in
ferred from this that Raymond had
ridden away to locate the fire, and
heartily hoped he would not be gone
long.
The men showed back one by one and
with sly, curious glances at the girl,
sitting SO. cold and white and still
against the wall, went out to smoke
and discuss her with the driver. Bak-
err, mindful of his duties, remained.
Don't be uneasy, miss. One of us will
stay here anyhow"
Louis was looking over his sketching
material, his mind busy with plans for
work, when shout outside announced
Raymond's return. The lad rushed to
the door. "Oh, Ann, come quickv' he
called a moment later Here he
comes! Oh, can't he ridew
Ann reached the door just us Ray
mond dashed up and swung from his
saddle. His voice was not loud, but
it was stirring. Boys, the fire is
climbing the ridge, and we've got to
fight it. Gather up your blankets and
gunny sacks. Well find Williams over
there with some water barrels. Hustle
now! I'll be along little later. Tom,
you take charge till l come"
With groans and half jocular curses
the weary men. loyal to their duty,
scattered to rope fresh ponies and
gather up such material as they had
for fighting flame, while Raymond
came 10 the door and brusquely said
to Ann: "1'll leave Baker to look after
you, Miss Rupert. l hope you won't
mind"
"oh, certainly not" said Ann as firm
ly rs she could.
"I'd like to go alongv cried Louis.
MAY I!'
you're needed right here" Raymond
sternly replied. Were likely to. be out
all night, and your sister needs you"
Couldn't Baker go in your place|
asked Ann very quietly.
'Jack isn't very energetic. No; it's
my duty"
"That's why I'd rather you stayed"
Ann said. eff we should be attacked
by Indians or anything, Mr.. Baker
might be asleep"
He laughed. Indians! There aren't
any within 200 miles of here"
bat you said you'd take care Of us,
and Mr.. Barnett has consigned us to
your care.'
He warmed beneath the allurement
of her glance. "But how would it look
for the boss to remain comfortably ut
home while fire.
you're not the boss. You're only the
cook"
His face lighted up. "True enough"
After moments hesitation he added:
Very well, consider me your protector
and cook. Baker is in for it." And
he went away filled with delicious
sense of having suddenly been honorcd
above his desert.
Ann was accustomed to men who
flew to do her bidding, but this instant
victory over the big rancler pleased
her unaccountably, and she laughed
softly, acknowledging glow Of con-
fidence and relief in the promise of his
presence.
Out by the corrals the trampling
and snorting of excited ponies could be
heard mingled with the muttered oaths
of the men us they hurriedly roped and
saddled. The sky was darkening rap
idly, and the pillar of smoke already
glowed like Il braZen tower. 1t rose
straight into the air for hundreds of
feet, then spread away into long,
level cloud, showing that the wind had
not yet begun to fan the flame.
AT last the men were all mounted
and, with final command from the
boss, spurred away into the gloom,
complaining, weary, but faithful. Ray
mond felt a little foolish as he faced
the liveryman from Wallace.
mo, Pm not going-at least not until
I get Barnetts people fixed for the
night. You'll have to bunk in the tool
shed, reckon"
THAT'S all right. I'll curl down close
to my team. l don't want to run any
risks with a lot of toughs like that
Williams gang cavortin' around. They
had just liquor enough aboard to make
'em reckless. I'd advise you to look out
for old Turkey Egg there. He has it in
for you"
Raymond was unimpressed. They're
halfway to Wallace by this time, and,
besides, Speck is big bluff anyway.
We're rid of him forever"
"Sa1, al WuGu SOu lucCl next
you pull first" the little man replied
very seriously.
Raymond walked slowly toward the
house, filled with guilty joy. In
stead Of night of hard riding and la
borious wet bag swinging he had CIV
en- himself the pleasure of sitting in
conversation with a beautiful and cul-
tured girl. II haven't earned this" he
admitted. II don't deserve 1t. It's too
good to be true, but Barnett will APP
prove. Anyhow, I'm going to enjoy it
while cam
Nevertheless, this sense of being
sneak and cheat threw over him a
gloomy and preocccupied air which
voxed Ann, who began to question him
very much as she would have done had
she discovered unusual powers in her
coachman. How do you happen to be
out here, Mr.. Raymond?"
He replied bluntly: II don't know.
came here six years ago because 1
h:cn't any trade and the cattle bust
ness was attractive, and I've been here
ever since"
bat you are wasting your time and