Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-08-10

ing was equivalent to flight
Ann smiled composedly as she slipped
her. coffee, which was very good in
deed.
Louis burst in Mt 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 I want to-"
Baker, who appeared just behind
him, put in a drawing word: +" 'Peared
like he wanted to ride four to- once,
like circus man. Are you gettin'
somethin' to eat, missy'
"Oh,, yes, indeed
Louis. throwing down his cap in imi-
tation Of Raymond. cried out, "I'm
hungry!''
Ann turned to Baker. "Mr. Fore.
man, isn't there something mysterious
| about your COOKE Part Of the time he
/ speaks like q man of the world and
| part Of the time like rancher. |
think he's playing part, and playing
It badly"
"What makes you think so?" asked
Louis. They say he's a bully rider
They ain't none better, MISS re-
Piled Baker, who began to look little
uneasy.
Ann pursued her point. 81 think
he's one of those romantic cowboys
who have seen better days-perhaps an
English nobieman 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 he
amt no English lord, l don't think.
We never inquire very close into a
mans pedigree out here if he can ride
. cayuse and flip a gun. But he's
American. all right, and a good cook"
"Is Cook his real Manner
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 I might call him Cook
Your name is Raymond, isn't it,"
Baker was again slow to answer
ibid he intimate that my name was
| Raymond"
Ann after looking at him in silence
remarked gravely, "Of course, you're
both having fun with us because we're
from the east, and I 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
sd-we-you see''-
Ann turned to Louis. "Louis, you
are living out one of Owens stories
this very minute. I want you to stay
here until you can meet these people
on their own ground" She faced Bak-
| or 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 justice7"
Baker took u seat and appeared to
ponder. well, now, I don't like to
say. You see, it amt safe to tell tales
On Cook Ifyou'n swear not to breathe
| Aword"
"Hold up your hands. Louis, and
swsarW' cried Ann. 'o6 course we
won't tell"
Baker settled into his chair. "You
mustnt blame him till you hear the
hull story. but he killed Teller back
east. somewhere In Illinois"
Ann started melodramatically. Real
Tyr
Baker. pleased with his success, add
Cd, 1.-TWO Of ,,em, In fact"
Louis, wide eyed with interest, "What
did he do It forY'
Baker, glowing with pleasure In the
work Of his own Imagination, cut loose
from bis 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 I
heard it"
Louis pursued the inquiry. "Who
was the other man he killedY
1.-THE deputy sherf. Had to do that
to get away"
Ann looked about. "You say he reads
these books 2,
when he has time. He dotes on
'em."
"Do you read then? !"
"Great Scott mol I'd 90 to sleep
over such things. The Boys Own is
about my Size"
Ann's tone was reflective. chats
queer, Mr.. Barnett said you were a
great reader"
Baker paled, then got red. He had
walked into clever little trap. He
wraggled in his chair. did he say
that3 Well-I-I used to, but lately"-
Ann looked at him keenly and said
calmly: 'fYou also are an impostor.
Your name isn't Raymond not
the foreman. You are all bandits and
have stolen my cousins ranch and are
running 1t to suit yourselves. ]. believe
you killed poor old Mr.. Jones and his
WIFE"
Louis sprang to his feet. cam, what
do you meanY
i Baker threw up both hands. "Hold
onl Don't shoot! I'll come down. 1
knew couldn't keep the game going"
He rose, and his manner changed.
Now listen. I'll tell you the square
toed truth. It was my turn to cook,
and Raymond-that's our boss-when
he heard you was comm, KNOWN 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
mp the bacon and prunes. Now that's
i the fact ladvn