The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1906-03-16
ter ~ rack with me ~ NV \ ~ /. 2 aSss
.'Oh, mol FIN All right here, sis. Rob
Will look after me- It's just what

paid very little direct attention to her
beyond q moments awkward pause
ind d lowering of their voices. They
continued to discuss the fire and their
days work. It was plain that they
were Of different temper from the :.
crowd Raymond had thrown from the
door, and yet they were not prepossess-
ing. o.. ....
The liveryman, short, dirty and
very assertive man Of small wit, was
maintaining himself against one Of the
riders in an argument. II punched
cattle all over them hills" he was say
ing. Il know it's all another fake like
that old Mount Horeb business in 10. =
It's nothin' but d cattle range-a lot o.
smooth hills''- -: g"
"But they've found the gold. They
can't be no question about it now. I've
got u brother up there, and he writes
me-
"They told the same kind O. yarns
about Horeb, and see how it turned out.
They amt an ounce O. gold In this
whole Rampant range. It amt the
right kind o. formation" -
"Well, I'm goin' up there anyhow
said Baker, las soon as Barnett can
all my place."
$50 am l." said one Of the other cow
bows, q dark, smileless fellow nearly
forty years of age. -.
"They're talking about Sky camp"
whispered Louis, 1.-The new mining
town."
The talk among the men shifted again
to discussion of the fire. Il hope
Bob won't order us out to fight it to-
night. Pm tired as dog" said one Of
the men.
1.-THE way put it up is this" bleat-'
ed the liveryman: THAT fire started
from somebody campin' over on Birch
creek, and it's way beyond the ridge.
It's got to cross that rocky wash be-
fore it can do any damage"
"Well, we'll know when Rob gets
back" replied Baker, and Ann in
ferred from this that Raymond had
ridden away to locate the fire, and
heartily hoped he would not be gone
long.
The men showed back one by one and
with sly, curious glances at the girl,
sitting 80 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 " IA Il, e+ch,nt~
material, his mind ) pusy with plans for
| TX. II kcs1
Raymond's return. The lad rushed to
the door. "Oh, Ann, come Quick!' he
called moment later. :::1ncr1 he
comes! Oh, can't he ride" -,
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
glnny sacks. Wen find Williams over
there with some water barrels. Hustle
now! I'll lie along little later Tom,
you take charge till come"
With groans and half ocular curses
the weary men, loyal to their duty,
scattered to rope fresh ponies and
gather up such material as they had
for fighting fame, while Raymond
came to the door and brusquely said
to Ann: "I'll leave Baker to look after
you, Miss Rupert. hope you won't
mind"
"Oh, certainly not" said Ann as firm
" as she could.
"Id like to go alongv' cried Louis.
MAY I:''
you're needed right here" Raymond
sternly replied. Were likely to be out
I'LL night, and your sister needs YOU"
couldn't Baker go in your place"
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 a fire. r..
You're not the boss: You're only the
cook" ~
His face lighted up. "True enough"
After a moments hesitation he added: Il
Very well. consider ME your protector
and cook. Baker is in for it." And
he went away filed with delicious r:
sense of having suddenly been honored
above his desert. .~:.:l> -, - -
Ann was accustomed to men who. J.,
few to do her bidding, but this instant.
victory over the big rancher pleased
her unaccountably, and she laughed
softly, acknowledging glow Of con-
hdence and relief in the promise Of his
presence. .lzs.s~g, - 49,.
Out by the corrals the uampling
and snorting Of excited ponies could be
heard mingled with the muttered oaths