Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-03-30

at sure makes a filling combination"
him. as she stood there calmly looking
about the grimy walls, Of the stories he
had read of princesses visiting the huts
of their peasantry. She was OF good
height, but the proud lift of her head
made her seem taller than she was,
and the cut of her gown, the color OF
her gloves and hat, told of good taste
and the service of the best tailors and
milliners. "Great Scott!' he said to
himself. "She's an up to date beauty.
What will 1 do to feed her?" And, i'm
perturbable as he looked, his heart
sank within him, and if he could have
fled honorably he would have done SO
instantly.
Raymond took no pains to be noise
less or dainty in his work, but every
moment told. He slcshed out the cOf-
feepot and sliced the bacon and stirred
up the fire, all with grace and quiet
dignity which opened AIMS eyes In an
effort to understand him. His hands
were noticeably fine, and the poise OF
his head expressed strength and pride.
He was very brown, almost as brown
as the leather cuffs he wore on his
arms.
Once. when he passed out of hearing,
she turned to Baker suddenly and ask
ed: "Why does your cook wear spurs!
An affectatiOn, | suppose"
Baker flushed and stammered. "Well,
no; he has to help with the cattle once
= in awhile"
Raymond called to Perry, who was
seated OH the doorstep. perry. jump
your horse and round up dry cotton
wood snag. This brush is Of no sort
of use. | want q hot fire."
Louis beamed on Ann. Hes talking
just like Walter Owens heroes"
Ann silenced him. flush! He'll hear
you
Baker, quite ready to take fall out
of Raymond, interposed: "He's little
hard at first, but reel sOciable when
you git him started. He's shy as rab-
bit when they's any company round"
Raymond uttered cough which
made Baker start. 81 guess I'll go out
and see what that driver has done with
his horses"
Louis sprang up. "I'll go, too. if you
don't mind, sis"
As Ann looked round the low ceiled
room in which the flies buzzed her eyes
fell upon little case of books in the
corner. For lack of something better
to do, she rose to inspect them. She
was surprised to find them mainly es-
says, and wondered who Of these men
read Emerson and Burroughs. One Of
them was q book of verse. Raym0nd's
name was on the fly leaf.
| "How handsome the cook is!' was
her inward exclamation as she return
ed to her seat. She was not one OF
those who sit in silence when they wish
information, and, lifting her voice
little, she said:
81 understood Mr. Barnett to say that
you had woman to cook for your
Raymond shifted stove lid. I'VE
did"
where is sheW
"GOne-a week ago."
isn't there any woman about the
placer
He peered into the coffeepot. mo
one but YOU"
Ann sat in silence for moment. II
didn't understand. Mr.. Barnett said"-
Raymond Strengthened and looked at
her somberly. 'If Barnett paid little
more attention to his ranch and less to
polo wrote him, more than week
ago, that Jonesy was pullin' his
freight" He returned to his cooking.
Ann composedly went on, "Was Jones
the name of the foreman"
mo, he was assistant; but he was
married, and his wife was our dough
twister. He's gone to Skytown gold
camp. The whole country is full o the
fever"
Ann, with note Of sympathy in her
voice, said: II don't like to see a big,
strong man cook. Do you get extra