Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-10

| 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
er, 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 fol-
work, when shout outside announced
Raymond's return. The lad rushed to
| the door. "Oh, Ann, come quick,'' he
called a moment later. Here he
comes! Oh, can't he rider
Ann reached the door just as 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 TO the door and brusquely said
to Ann: iii leave Baker to look after
you, Miss Rupert. 1 hope you won't
mind
"Oh, certainly not" said Ann as firm
ly as she could.
I'D like to go alongr' cried Louis
May l."
You're needed right here Raymond
sternly replied. We're likely to be out
all night, and your sister needs YOU"
Couldn't Baker go in your placer"
asked Ann very quietly
Jack isn't very energetic. No; it's
my duty"
That's why I'd rather you stayed"
by Indians or anything, Mr. Baker
might be asleep"
He laughed. Indians! There aren't
any within 200 miles of here
But 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 at
home while fire.
You're not the boss. You're only the
cook"
His face lighted up. True enough"
After moments hesitation he added:
Every well, consider me your protector
and cook. Baker is in for it" And
he went away filled with delicious
sense of having suddenly been honored
above his desert
Arn %
flew TO do her bidding. but this instant
victory over the big rancher 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 as 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 IL long.
level cloud, showing that the wind had
not yet begun to fan the fame.
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 little foolish as IL faced |
the liveryhan from Wallace.
NO, I'm not going at least not until |
1 get Barnett's people fixed for the |
night. You'll have to bunk i'll the tool |
shed. | reckon"
That's all right. I'll curl down close |
to my team. / 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 OIL 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"
Well all is, when you meet him next
you pull first" the little man replied |
very seriously.
Raymond walked slowly toward the
house, filled with a 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
with beautiful and cul-
tured girl. II haven't earned this he
admitted Il don't deserve it. It's too
good to be true, but Barnett will ap-
prove. Anyhow, I'm going to enjoy it
while can
Nevertheless, this sense of being a
sneak and 4 cheat threw over him
gloomy and preocccupied air which
vexed 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: 81 don't know. I
came here six years ago because
hadn't any trade and the cattle bust
ness was attractive, and I've been here
ever since"
But you are wasting your time and
For a moment he meditated n iocuIar