The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-08-13
CHAPTER discontinued.

: perfectly certain there was no dan
ger, IL she knew Sinclair and lived in
the mountains. but that she would
sometime find out he was not a con.
Sductor. When he asked his question
she appeared Slightly surprised and
answered easily: INF. Sinclair will
know 1t Is from Dicksie D%unning."
McCloud knew her then. Every
one knew Dicksie Dunning in the
high country. This was Dicksie Dun.
ming of the great Crawling Stone
ranch. most widely known of all the
mountain ranches. While his stupidity
an not guessing her identity before
overwhelmed him, he resolved, to ex-
thaust the last effort to win her inter-
ost.
Il don't know just when I shall see
INF. Sinclair" he answered, gravely,
but he shall certainly have your
message"
A doubt seemed to steal over Dick.
sic at the change in McCloudss man
ner. "Oh, pardon mel thought you
were working for the company"
. You are quite right am; but Mr..
Sinclair is. not"
Her eyebrows rose a little. IT
thtnksyou are mistaken, aren't you?"
1T Is possible I am; but If he is
working for the company, it is pretty
certain that l am not" he continued,
heaping mystiication on her. How
ever, that will not prevent my deliv.
ering the message. BY the way, may
i ask which shoulder"
"Shoulder!"
Which shoulder is sprung
oh, Of course! The right shoulder,
and 1t is sprung pretty badly, too,
Cousin. Lance says. How very stupid
of me to ride over here for a freight
wreck"
McCloud felt humiliated at having
nothing better worth while to offer.
1T was a very bad one," he ventured.
But not Of the kind I can be of any
help at, I fear"
Mccloutd smiled. "we are certainly
short tofshelp.P
Dicksie brought her horses head
around. She felt again Of the girth
as she replied: Not such as I can
!: supply fsimis9afraftdEs'' And With the
4 words she stepped away; as if :prepar-
ing to- mount.
4 .s;;l MxsG !ssH i~inntseryenseed.l. IT hope you
sssxont 60 away without resting your
horse. The sun is 8 % hot. Mayn't l
aspfer you some sort of 1efreshment?'
IN Dicksie Dgnning thought not
n. THE sunTsis very warm" persisted
McCloud.
Dicksie smoothed her gauntlet in
sthe assured manner natural to~her.
Ut am pretty well used to it."
But McCloud held on. Several cars
ssof fruit were destroyed in the wreck.
! 2 offer you any quantity OF. grapes
crates Of them are spelling over
there-and pears"
Thank you. I am just from lunch.
teon." q \ sss. N
\ And / have cooled water in the car.
= hope you wont refuse that, 80 far
sput insthe desert. 81
Dickste laughed sa5t little. "Do you
call this far? i don't; and / don't
Gall this desert BY any means. Thank
you eyer so much sSfon the water, but
I'm not In the least thirsty"
ut was kind Of you e to think
a~fsextending help / wish you would
let me send some fruit over to your
ranch. It Is only spelling here"
n D4tcksiSi SStroket the neck or her
Aorae.s sIee u about 1sssmiles to the
Fanshssheu1eIP 4
4 II doniF call that far.s
Obi It isl'tss' she irefurned, hastily.
protesting notstosnotice the look that
went u iths the Eords,.s'texgept for per.
ishabIe things!!" Then, as II acknowl.
edging her disadvantase, she added.
swinging her bride rein around Il
am under obligations for the offer. lust
the same"
'At least, won't yiou let your horse
drink?" McCloud threw the force OF
an appeal into his words, and Dicksie
stopped her preparations and ap-
peared to waver. Is
Jim Is pretty thirsty, I suppose.
dave you plenty Of water?"
"a tender full. Had I8better lead
him down while you Wait up on the
hill in the. shade!'
Cant I ride him down."
1T would be pretty rough riding.
''oh. Jim goes anywhere she said,
with her attractive indifference to sit.
nations. II you don't mind helping
me mouka."
III With pleasure"
She stood waiting for his hand add
McCloud stood. not knowing Just what
S9tS do. She glanced at him expsctant.
III. The sunsgrew Intensely rot.
.You will have to show me how
mn sSStammered at last.
81 Mont you know?"
$8H mentally cursed the technical
tcaHon that left him helpless Ct