The Somerset reporter., 1907-11-14
Fate and
Hunpy.
.....By Charles Calverson.
Copyrighted. 1907. by E. c. PARCELS.

s's.s+ + .s'.S + Fl.
"What does the lady look likeY' de-
manded HUMPHREYS.
Cotton regarded HIM coolly.
II don't think that there will be more
than dozen or two ladies clamoring
for transportation to the Twin Hearts"
said Humphries' employer. Even your
benighted intellect might appreciate
that fact
HUMPHREYS nodded and turned away
Curtis Cotton. owner of the Twin
Hearts. was peculiar. Above all. he
wanted men about him who could car
ry out brief orders without demanding
an elaborate amplificaton of the same
HUMPHREYS had supposed that In this
case the question was justifable, but If
Cotton thought otherwise he had no
comment to make.
He went down to the corral and
htched the blacks to the blackboard
one or two Of his fellows lounging over
to see what WAS up
Coin to town. Humpy?" demanded
Ben Tyler. lighting fresh cigarette.
No" said Humphries, with asperity.
I'm goin TO drive over to China to
hire new cook. What makes you
think ! was goin' to town."
Tyler grinned amiably.
You'd think he was the old man If
hi toll
eyes shut" he commented musingly to
Buck Byers. by the way. wish
you'd stop on the way back and bring
out some markings"
He tossed silver dollar to Hum
phries as that worthy climbed into the
seat and started the team. HUMPHREYS
pocketed the coin. with a grunt. and
devoted himself to his thoughts
That something was doing up at the
big house was clearly apparent. The
minister from Silver Forks had driven
over that morning. and now he was
sent to Brayeys for a young woman.
with orders to return her to the ranch
with all speed. He grnned as he OBJ
served the brand on the TANKS of the
blacks. the twin hearts from which the
ranch took Its name.
fought to put a cupid's arrow
through EN-" he told the blacks. Then
you'd look like valentines. Wonder
who 1t Is goin' to get htched?"
He ran through the list of probables,
but could not decide until the Overland
paused at the little flag station to de-
post young woman and trunk. AS
the girl raised her veil HUMPHREYS
sprang forward.
miss Bess." he cried. note of real
welcome in his voice. give got the
blackboard here"
He held her hand an instant In greet
ing and then strapped the trunk be-
hind the seat before helping her in.
The year before he had been working
on the Circle z when Bess Farley had
come to spend the summer with her
brother. his employer. Even then
there had been talk of marriage be.
tween her and Cotton but the gossip
had died down. and 1t was supposed
that there had been a quarrel Now
she was here. the preacher was here.
and there could be no doubt but that
she would become queen of the Twin
Hearts as well as the heart of every
rider on the range.
HUMPHREYS engaged her In converse
ton. supplying bits of local news and
listening with an amlable grin to her
tales of back east" Almost before
they knew II they had come to the gate
of the ranch Enclosure, and HUMPHREYS
was about to jump down aud open it
when she laid a OBTAINING hand upon
his arm
"Why stop here?" she asked "Circle
2 is only FIVE miles ahead."
"Circle Z?'' he echoed. 81 thought
you were coming here"
Ibid my brother say so?" she asked
81 haven't seen Mr.. Farley in six
months" he said. I'm working here
now, and Mr.. Cotton told me to go and
get lady. asked what she looked
like, and he cut me Off short, like he al
ways does. supposed 1t must be all
right You was the only lady to get
off"
az didn't know that you had left my
brothers ranch" she explained In re-
turn, land | thought. Of course. II was
all right wrote him three days ago
that | was coming"
81 guess the letters there at the
house." commented HUMPHREYS. "You
see, he went up to Denver about
week ago. so nobody knows that you're
coming Better turn In here The
Circle 2 house is all closed up while
your brothers. away"
HUMPHREYS climbed out of the buck
board and opened the gate, driving the
team through and closing 1t again be-
fore he climbed back to the seat
you will be better off here" be
continued comfortably, land there's
the minister from Silver Spring to be
your chaperon.'
What is the minister doing hereT
she demanded. HUMPHREYS bushed.
Ala fh{nI hn aauna nuor m do