The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-07-22

II, Laugh"
coach, surrounded by cushions for pro-
lection from continual bouncing. as
the Jehu in charge urged his FESTIVE
mules down the desolate valley OF tho
Bear Water. Her cheeks were flushed,
her wide-open eyes filled with ques-
tioning. her pale fluffy hair frolicking
with the breeze, as pretty picture OF
young womanhood as any one could
wish to see. Nor was she unaware OF
this fact. During the final stage of
her journey she had found two con-
genial souls. sufficiently picturesque
70 harmonic with her ideas of wild
western romance.
These two men were lolling in the
less comfortable seat opposite, secret
ly longing for a quiet smoke outside,
yet neither willing to desert this east
ern divinity to his rival. The big fell
low. his arm run carelessly through
the leather sling, his bare head pro-
jecting half out Of the open window,
was Jack Moffat, halloween of the
Golden Rule" and enjoying a we'll
earned reputation as the most ornate
and artistic liar IN the territory. For
two hours he had been exercising his
talent to the full, and merely paused
now in search of some fresh inspira-
ton. holding in supreme and silent
contempt the rather feeble limitations
Of his less-gifted companion.
The fly in the ointment of this long
days ride, the third party, whose ur-
desirable presence and personal
knowledge of Mr.. Moffats past career
rather seriously interfered with the
latter's flights Of imagination, was Will
liam Mcneil, foreman of the Bar v"
ranch over on Sinsiniwa creek. Nc
Neil was not much of a talker, having
an impeachment in his speech, and be-
ing trife bashful in the presence Of
a lady But he caught the eye,-a
slenderly built, reckless fellow,
smoothly shaven, with a strong chin
and bright laughing eyes,-and as he
lolled carelessly back in his bearsFin
chaps" and wide-brimmed sombrero.
occasionally throwing in some cool.
insinuating comment regarding Mot
fats recitals, the latter experienced a
strong inclination to heave him over
board. The slight hardening of Nc
Neils eyes at such moments had thus
far served, however. as sufficient re-
straint, while the unobservant Miss
Spencer, unaware of the silent duel
thus being conducted in her very pres
ence, divided her undisguised admira-
ton, playing havoc with the suscepti-
BILE heart Of EACH and all unconscious
ly laying the foundations for future
trouble.
Why, how truly remarkable." she
exclaimed, her cheeks glowing. TT 8
all so different from the east; heroism
seems to be in the very air of this
country, and your adventure was so
very unusual Don't you think so, Mr..
McNeil?"
The silent foreman hitched himself
suddenly upright, his face unusually
solemn. 'Why-eh-yes, miss-you
might-eh-say that. He" with a flip
of his hand toward the other, "eh-re-
minds me-of-eh-an old friend"
Indeed? How extremely interest
ing!" eagerly seeming a new story.
Please tell me who it was, Mr.. Nc
Neil"
"Oh-eh-knew him when 1 was a
boy-eh-Munchaus
Mr. Moffat drew in his head violent
", with an exclamation nearly pro-
fame, yet before he could speak Miss
Spencer interviewed.
"Munchausen. Why, Mr.. Mcneil
you surely do not intend to question
the truth of Mr.. Moffat's narrative?"
The foreman's eyes twinkled humor
ously, but the lines of his face re
manned calmly impassive. "My-eh-
reference" he explained. gravely, was
entirely to the-eh-local color
the-eh-expert touches"
/ OH"
Yes, miss. Its-eh-bad taste out
here to-eh-doubt anybody's word
eh-pnblicly."
Moffat stirred uneasny, his hand
dung behind him. but Mcneil was gaz
/ ing into the lady's fair face. appar
emily unconscious of any other pres
! ence
But all this time you have not IA
vored me with any of your own ad
ventures. Mr.. Mcneil. l am very sure
you must have had hundreds out on
these wide plains"
The somewhat embarrassed foreman
shook his head discouragingly.
"Oh, but l just know you have, only
you are so modest about recountine
them. Now, that scar just under YOU
halr-really 1t is not at all unbecom
ing-surely that reveals story. Wa:
ii caused by an Indian arrow
(To be contfnued)