Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-01-27
CHAPTER III-Continued.

who have seen better days-perhaps an
English nobleman in disguise"
Baker was always ready when
chance to get even with Raymond 81
fered itself. He puckered his plump
face into n frown OF deep concern. II
guess you're some right. miss, but he
ain't no English lord, don't think.
We never inquire very close into a
mans pedigree out here il he can ride
a cayuse and flip gun But hes
American, all right, aud good cook
us 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"
mo. he didn't tell his name, but he
intimated 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
Raymondy'
Ann after looking at him in silence
remarked gravely, "Of course, you're
both having fun with us because were
from the east, and don't think IL
quite nice in YOU
Baker began to look distressed. "Oh,
see here, miss. you mustn't think
you're all wrong! Why, were delight
ed-we-you see
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-
err 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 fugitive from justice?'
Baker took seat and appeared to
ponder. "Well, now, don't like to
say. You see, it uin't safe to tell tales
on Cook. If you'll swear not to breathe
q word
"Hold up your hands, Louis, and
swear" cried Ann. 'Of course we
won't tell"
Baker settled into bis chair. you
mustn't blame him till you hear the
hull story, but he killed a Teller back
east, somewhere In Illinois,"
Ann started fundamentally. "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 moorings. ut was this way:
He was counting girl-the daughter of
q 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
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 Oh
'em"
do you read them?"
"Great Scott, no! I'd go to sleep
over such things. The Boys Own is
about my size.''
AIMS tone was reflective. "That's
queer. Mr.. Barnett said you were a
great reader"
Baker paled, then got red. He had
walked into clever little trap. He
wriggled in his chair. did he say
that? Well-1-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. believe
you killed poor old Mr.. Jones and his
wife"
Louis sprang to his feet. Gam, what
do you meant"
Baker threw up both hands. "Hold
on! Don't shoot! I'll come down. 1
knew I 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, knowin' I
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 believe he's telling the truth.
What is your nane?"
John Edwin Baker-Jack, the boys
call me. never had any other name,
I'm sorry to say, and came here from
Kansas. never killed anything Sig
germ coyote. I'm just a plain COW
puncher at twenty six per month"
Raymond, reappearing at the door,
put them all into guilty confusion. 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 glance at Baker
that propelled him through the door
way as palpably as kick, then turned
to Louis. How does the grub 90,