Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-08-14
CHAPTER Nv.

a A.
~ study of the cowboys. In her
own walk of life even the
= bdsest of men approached her
clad in linen and broadelotll-sleek
beasts-with civility; but here were
males whose lean jaws clamped upon
food with the eager haste of wolves
men primitive as Picts, with less OF
law than Zulus. They were not out.
laws from society, for they had never
known society. They We're desperadoes
for diversion.
Raymond's motive IN thrusting them
out appeared more and more deed to
win applause. 1t lowered him, made
him less admirable in every way, and
when he spoke to her she withdrew
Into herself with glance which chill.
ed and depressed him.
''Of course his character is of no con.
sequence to me-" she thought, except
In SO far as he is likely to influence
Louis The situation suddenly lost its
spirit of comedy and took on a very
serious cast. The plan of leaving a
sensitive, poetic boy to the company
and influence Of men like these became
questionable, even dangerous. Bake,
was foolish and stupid person, and
these rough riders troubled her; bui
Raymond, to whom the boys eyes al
ready turned with fervent admiration
was more corupting still, for whatever
weaknesses he might have would sure
" come to be active and vital forces in
dsbasing others. The whole design, in
the light Of this encounter, assumed the
face of folly.
! The powerful young rancher, a mix
ture Of barbarism and culture, engross.
Cd her quite as q mountain lion might
have done. His action could not be
foretold, and she was amazed to find
herself carried entirely outside herself
shaken and dismayed. AS he set to
work to put the table in order, silent
and sullen as before, she watched him
from her corner with intent gaze
How deeply can trust him3" she
asked herself. don admires him, and
he certainly Is man Of intelligence"
+ Louis, who had gone to see the sun.
set, called to her exdtedly, and as she
stepped outside the door she, too
caught her breath in wonder and ad.
miraton.
She turned to the dim purple range
crumpled Into ridges and slashed with
deep valleys. '1They may be alluring
to you. laddle. but they scare me-a lit.
tie. Well, perhaps you'll be able to 60
and see what they are like by and by,
when you are stronger"
Perhaps Rob will take me. I would
not be afraid Of anything with him
- splendid type. Don't you think
Ann smiled, but answered doubtfully,
He seems fne, resolute fellow" Her.
Etsterly anxiety reappeared. aBut I
tnn't like to leave. you here, Buddie.
These men, the best Of them, seem
tough' and reckless. / think you'd bet
fsr 20 back with me really do"
"Oh, no! I'm all right here, sis. Rob
viii look after me. It's just what 1
need.
Maybe it is for the best, but have
feeling that something is going to
happen to you. don't like to go back
without you. I'll stay on a day or two
longer anyhow. I want to find out
more about conditions here. I have a
queer feeling at my heart don't
want to leave you. Let us go In"
A kerosene lamp stood among tile
dishes, and the driver of their team
and two late coming horsemen and the
Mexican boy were all eating together.
Raymond was not to be seen, and Ann
realized, with pang of dismay, how
wholly she was depending upon him..
without him / shall be scared" she
admitted to herself. The other men
paid very little direct attention te her.
beyond q moments awkward pause
md a lowering Of their voices. They
continued to discuss the fire and their
days work. It was plain that they
We're Of different temper from the
prowd Raymond had thrown from the
aoor, and yet they were not progresses
Ing.
The Hveryman, a short dirty and.
very assertive man of small wit, was
maintaining himself against one Of tile.
riders in an argument. 81 punched
nattle all over them hills" he was say
Ing. II know it's all another fake like
that old Mount Horeb business In TO,
It's nothin' but q cattle range-a lot O.
smooth hills
'eBut they've found the gold. They
pan't be no question about 1t now. I've
got brother up there. and he writes
me-
They told the same kind 0, yarns
about Horeb, and see how 1t turned out.
They ain't an ounce o. gold In this
whole Rampant range. It amt the
right kind o. formation"
Well, I'm goin' up there anyhow"
Iaid Baker, 'sas soon as Barnett can
al my place."
$50 am l." said one Of the other cow
boys, dark, smileless fellow nearly
forty years Of age. ss
They're talking about Sky camp"
whispered Louis, THE new mining
tnwn."
The talk among the men shifted again
TO discussion Of the fire, II hope
Bob won't order us out to fight it to-
night. I'm tired as dog" said one of
the men.
The way ! put 1t up is this" bleat-1
ID the llveryman: THAT fire started
erom somebody campin' over on Birch
creek, and it's way beyond the ridge
It's got to cross that rocky wash be-
tore 1t can do any damage
Well, We'll know when Rob gets.