Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-02-28
The young fellow frowned. "what's

The young fellow frowned. "What's
Shat?
Ann went on, Il think it's nice of you,
Mr.. Raymond, to abase yourself to the
rim OF kettle"
Excuse me, lady, butt He looked
about for Baker.
Ann interposed. "rhat's twice you've
called me lady, No real cowboy ever
does that, Pm told, SO you must be an
impostor."
Raymond's face flushed with anger.
"See here! What has that fat jackass
been saying to you about me?"
Ann, calmly smiling, made her
charges specific. You're not the cook.
You're called Robert Raymond. You're
the foreman and graduate of Har-
ward university, like all superior cow
boys, and you have CALAMITY volun-
teered to. cook in order that we might
eat. Nov, isn't this truce"
Raymond was stunned for moment,
but as she went on his head lifted, and
into his eyes leaped spark of red
light. wait till sight that scoundrel.
You'll have fine chance to study a
cowboy in action. What else did he
say?"
HE told us all about your fight with
your rival. 1t was very thrilling. It's
like being n character in novel one
self. Pm quite exalted by the thought .
Raymond's eyes ceased to glow, a
faint smile quivered at the corners of
his lips as he bowed gracefully. "AIiss
Rupert, permit me to astonish you still
more. My name, though alliterative, is
my own. have never killed NAM
he looked toward the door-"that In
credible ass will be my first. l am not
n graduate of Harvard, and did not
leave my native town between two
days. Does this disappoint you?'
Most deeply. Are there no mitigat-
Ing circumstance"
None whatever. am hopelessly
commonplace. Pm not even cowboy.
Pm foreman of n hay ranch"
you destroy our dreams. But these
books are yours?"
Raymond's eyes wayered. "Well, yes
some of them, but l don't care to
pose as the student rancher. The boys
respect me now because l can ride n
horse and pitch hay. make it point
not to air my other accomplishments
He was interrupted by n series Of
faint yells, and as they all listened the
swift trample of horses hoofs could be
heard. Louis sprang up, all excite
ment, his eyes glowing.
what is that-IndiansY'
Raymond smiled at Ann. "No, only
a bunch of cowboys passing" He
stepped to the door to study their ap-
proach. TITS mob of Williams men.
! don't know what they're doing here"
The rush and trample of hoofs swept
nearer, and group of five drab col
ored horsemen drew up at the hitching
pole with loud outcries, each man set
ting his pony on end with wrench ut
the reins.
Hello, Bob!' shouted the leader.
"Howdy, boys-howdy?" he replied
coldly. 1t was plain he was not well
pleased by their inopportune call.
Got anything to eat?" asked one Of
them as he staggered up.
Sure thing. Tidy up and come in"
Raymond, turning to Ann, said gently:
Perhaps you and the boy had better
step into the other room. This gang is
coming ill.,"
"They're not dangerous?"
mo, but some of them are not fit to
eat in the presence of lady"
Louis will want to see your guests"
Every WELL" replied Raymond and
turned to meet his visitors, who ap-
peared fresh from hasty toilet.
"Come. right in, boys. What's the best
word from over the ridge?"
The man who entered first was big
rawboncd, wide mouthed, freckle faced
fellow, who gaped in amazement as he
caught sight of Ann. Hello! WHAT'S
all this?" he asked, launching the man
next him.
The insolent vulgarity of his tone
brought flush of anger to Raymond's
face. "Shut up!" he commanded in a
low voice. Then added in explanation,
"Some of Barnett's folks visiting the
ranch" AT the moment he hated them
oil with sudden realization of their
essential cheapness and their filthy
manners.
AS they took seats each man glanced
ut Ann with furtivc, devouring eyes,
and she thrilled under the scrutiny as
she would have done beneath the glare
Of wolf. She had sudden sense of
danger. Il am getting close to the Gle
mental man." she thought, and by con-
trast Raymond assumed new interest.
Though his clothing was almost as
rough as theirs, his face and voice be-
trayed good blood and refinement. She
wondered whether Wayne Peabody
could stand between such IL mob of
ruffians and woman. This man Ray
mond dominated them easily.
Louis sat rs one entranced studying
the groupings in the sunset light, which
had begun to dim little. To him
these men were heroic. Their physical
hardihood, their slouching grace, their
rumpled hair, their tag ends of kerr
chiefs and greasy belts and cuffs We're
all "bang up material" The avid glare
under which Ann shivered was hidden
from the eyes of the boy, but Raymond
took note of every nudge, every wink
that passed, and once or twice he fixed
his eyes on the man they called Spec
kle In look which stayed coarse Jest
upon his lawless lips.
They talked of the great, new mining
camp on the side of Mogalyon, whereto
they were oil bound. They're striking
1t rich in the grass roots, and we're 60
ing up to take hand in it. Why, last
week they made three strikes on Pine
mountain within fifteen feet Of the sur
face. They say the placer is turning
out $40 day. So we're riding up to
turn a rock OH our own account. The
cattle business is done for Gold chas-
ing is the game now"
Say, Raymond" called out a little
man down by the stove, you'd better
hustle out your gang and meet that
fire. It's coming right over the ridge
this way and is getting worse every
minute"
Raymond's face betrayed keen inter.
est. "I've been trying to locate that
fire all day. It's over about Round