Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-21
CHAPTER XIX.


 fW MIDWAY of the even, broad eX- bM panse between shack and gap
 V=yA stood an A tent, very new, &sS4S very white and very generous room, it had cropped forth during the night. About it stretched the un- touched prairie, all purpling over with morning glories.
 The tent opened toward the river and was thanked on one side by pile of short pickets. Their tops dipped the color of the canvas, their bases nicely sharpened for the plotting out of ground Near by, thrown flat, was d wide board sign, which read In staring blue letters, Al Braden, Real Estate It was well on toward noon before the tent showed life; then there emerg ed from it bulky man of middle age who dusted at his high boots as he came, stretched, drawing his long coat snug and settled an elaborate vest. He completed his costume by donning q black hat that was of wool and foppy Then, thumbs tucked in armholes. he strolled away toward the Lancasters.
 The section boss and his daughters were lined up on the warm side of the lean-to, shading their faces from the sun. When the conner was so near 1 that they could see he was strange to | them Lancaster gave a peremptory wag of the head and the two girls disappeared around a corner. Their father stayed on watch, his jaws work | ing nervously with the ever present chew.
 The burly man advanced upon the lean-to "MOrnin', mornin',' was his i greeting He made several swinging bows at Lancaster and took him in shrewdly from eyes that were round and close set.
 The section boss grunted. ] Lovely day" observed the other, with bland smile. He changed his tack a little, as if he were going by. Lancaster hobbled along with him. "Y-a-a-s," he drawled Right good. Some cool"
 The stranger agreed by another se ries of swinging bows. You got nice place here-nice place." he continued affably. He loosened one thumb with jerk.
 Nice 'nough."
 The man halted in front of the shack and looked it over. You're southern gentleman" said he, "by your talk
 "Ah am." Lancaster spoke with un- friendly rising infection.
 "Well, we'll" A hand was extended - fat hand, where sparkled diamond. "Say, now. this is lovely, lovely. I'm a southerner myself, sir. Put it there."
 The section boss hesitated. So far Dakota had offered him no compatriot. He could scarce believe that one stood before him now. A second. then he gave a pleased grin. "HOwdy," he said. Hope v goin' t settle here about"
 They shook heartily.
 Settle due east of you sir" was the answer. My names Braden-Al Braden. I'm from Sioux Falls"
 Wont v come in?"
 "Ticked t death"'
 They entered the shack, Lancaster leading. Dallas and Marylyn glanced up in surprise from the fireplace and arose hastily
 "M' gals" said the section boss, mo- tioning their visitor to bench.
 Braden took it, with more swinging bows and q sweep of his fioppy head gear. Glad t meet you." he smiled. "Miss-a-a-a- Miss
 Lancaster s they name" prompted the section boss. all in good nature.
 Lancaster. Glad t meet you both" Dallas nodded and drew her sister away to the wagon seat in the corner.
 "Jes firm tn Falls. Ah think y said" began their father, hunting his tobacco plug along the mantel.
 Yep"
 "Um. Any-any uews firm down thet way bout this part O tn coun- try"
 Braden fell to admiring his ring "NO. sir. no Didn't hear nothin' par tlcular"
 The section boss fidCeted. "S'pose Y know they s some talk bout railroad cOmin' this way" he said carelessly. Don't % much on that talk. Ten years. twenty years-maybe. Too early yet"
 Lancaster's face heightened. He blinked in dismay.
 My ldna." went on Draden. ''is COWS. Coin [ be a lot of money fin 'em, sure as you're alive. Hear Clark maue a good thing Of his'n.- "Cowsr' said Lancaster in disgust. Cows don help a country-don' raise tin price o' Ian'-'
 Cows nr no COWS. your place here's worth d nice little sum" protested the other condescendinzly-- "hundered any way"
 Lancaster stared. "Hundered." he cried. You g1t ;h' grass staggers. Five hundere1-'
 Braden puEss,i his lips. his thumbs in his arnholss again ~Three hGnslere,l and fifty. say" he compromised. I'd be willin' f give you that
 \ moment since the sectiOn loss had been ,lOWncaSt- Now. he gJrTawel- "WoulI y'.~ he asked: would y'Y' There was a saga Eleam il his ere
 T would
 Lancaster ss,ckeI his teeth impoT- tantIy- Y Couiln-t llav it a ccnt short O seven murdered an fifty he dc cIarei.
 -YOGu Fever gff it. sir. never! Five