Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-10-11

ly, 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
-eh-entirely to the-eh-local color,
the-eh-expert touches"
Obi"
yes, miss. It's-eh-bad taste out
here to-eh-doubt anybody's word
eh-publicly."
Moffat stirred uneasily, his hand
flung 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 "a
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 just know you have, only
you are so modest about recounting
them. Now, that scar just under your
hair-really it is not at all unbecom-
ing-surely that reveals story. Was
it caused by an Indian arrow"
Mcneil crossed his legs, and wiped
his damp forehead with the back of
his hand. "Hoof of a damn pack.
mule" he explained, forgetting him.
self. "The-eh-cuss lifted me ten
feet"
Moffat laughed hoarsely, but as the
foreman Strengthened up quickly, the
amazed girl Joined happily in, and his
own face instantly exhibited the con.
tagion.
Amt much-eh-ever happens out
on a RANCH" he said, doubtfully, "ex-
cept dodgin' steers, and-eh-bustin'
broncoes."
Moffat had his head craned out Of
the window once more, in an apparent
determination to ignore all further
frivolous remarks. Suddenly he point.
ed directly ahead.
There's Glencaid now, Miss Spen.
GER" he said, cheerfully. That's the
spire Of the new Presbyterian church
sticking up above the ridge"
"Oh, indeed! How glad l am to be
here safe at last!"
"How-eh-did you happen to-eh
recognize the church," asked Mr..
Mcneil with evident admiration.
"You-eh-can't see it from the sa-
loon"
Moffat disdained reply, and the
lurching stage rolled rapidly down the
valley, the mules now dashed into a
wild gallop to the noisy accompani.
ment of the drivers whip.
The hoofs clattered across the mar.
row bridge, and, with a sudden swing,
all came to sharp stand, amid a
cloud of dust before a naked yellow
house.
Here's where you get out, miss"
announced the Jehu, leaning down
from his seat to peer within. This
yere is the Herndon shebang."
The gentlemen inside assisted Miss
Spencer to descend in safety to the
weed-bordered walk, where she stood
shaking her rufled plumage into
shape, and giving directions regarding
her luggage, Then the two gentle
men emerged, Moffat bearing a grip
case, handbook, and basket, while
Mcneil supported a shawl-strap and a
small trunk Thus decorated they
meekly followed her lead up the mar.
row path toward the front door. The
latter opened suddenly, and Mrs.
Herndon bounced forth with vocifer.
Gus welcome.
Why, Phoebe Spencer, and have
you really come! l didn't expect you'd
get along before next week. Oh, this
seems too nice to see you again; al.
most as good as going home to Yer
mont You must be completely tired
out"
Dear Aunt Lydia; of course I'm
siad to be here. But I'm not in the
least tired. I've had such a delightful
trip" She glanced around smilingly
upon her perspiring cavaliers. "Oh,
put those things down, gentlemen
anywhere there on the grass; they
can be carried in later. 1t was so
kind OF you both"
Hey, there" sang out the driver.
growing impatient, IF you two gents
are amin to go down town with this
OUTFIT, you'd better be pilin' in lively,
Ter | can't stay here all day."
Moffat glanced furtively aside at
Mcneil, only to discover that indi-
vldual quietly seated on the trunk.
de promptly dropped his own grip.
Drive on with your butchers cart"
ne called out spitefully. Il reckon it's
no special honor to ride to town"
The pleasantly smiling young wom-
an glanced from one to the other, her
eyes fairly dancing. as the numbering