The Dolores star., 1909-09-17

turned loose the mu:es. Then NAV
tilted the whiskyjug. Its emptiness
seemed to infuriate him. and his angry
eye fell on the disarranged contents
OF the wagon.
Hey. therei" he called to John.
Here's a bed. Can We rig IT."
'Betcher life we can." said Mr.. Hef-
fren.
Ed May looked about him with
more particular attention and burst In
to a melodious cry.
"Whoop!" he observed, tearing the
sacking from a patent rockingham.
"how's this? Pretty hot cakes. eh ~
He ripped the cover from a massive
wash-stand. and then attacked chest
Of drawers. and John contemplated
him with an appreciative grin.
Brush out your hair, Hehren,"
yelled May. brandishing an ornate
looking glass. "and walk into this yere
rosewood abode. Get yer ornery self
used ter luxury. The hotel u now
open and I've took the bridal CHAM
bert"
The next morning when Mr.. Brice
Chichester clambered into the buck
board In front Of the Spearfish hotel
1t was easy to detect his eager and
joyful anticipation. His mind brimmed
already with ideas for the improve
ment OF life on the cattle range, for
his inventive genius had been stirred
powerfully by the astonishing stories
which had been told him by the many
suileless-looking strangers whom he
had interviewed en- route. He had or
dered the blackboard to be ready at
dawn. and now he exhorted French
Mike to make all haste.
The managing director was a tall.
thin man, with elementary side whis-
kers; he wore a pongee helmet, and
before the blackboard had gone q mile
he offered to present similar head
dress to the driver. French Mike OBJ
served that the boys thereabouts were
to handy with a gun for him to take
any such risks. This depressed Mr.
Chichester, and he did not revive un-
til they encountered the bluff which
skirted the-bottom-lands u Medicine
Creek. The conveyance pitched like
a cat-boat In tide-rip: and French
Mike lashed the jumping horses and
talked with them vigorously. When
level ground was reached, Mr.. Chi
chester rubbed his eyes and stared
about him. Then he rubbed his eyes
again. Well might he do SO.
Resplendent in the solitude Of the
plain stood an enormous rosewood
bedstead, and on the wire mattress
lay two young men. wrapped In blan.
kets and in slumber. A stately dress-
ing-table had been pressed into duty
for culinary purposes and sustained
some slices Of cold bacon and bat
tered coffee pot. A brocaded easy.
chair had been overturned In order to
protect pair Of saddles from the
downfall Of dew, and . tall chest OF
drawers served a. a pedestal for .
lurid oil-painting and for q mirror
which solemnly reflected the surround
ing prairie. The heavy magnincence
Of the furniture appeared to excellent
advantage in the rays Of the morning
sun.
French Mike surveyed the spectacle
In hush OF profound awe, but Brice
Chichester was more curious. John
Heffren poked his head out Of the
blankets when the blackboard ratified
alongside.
"Good-morning." began Mr.. Chiches-
ter politely. "You seem comfortable
here"
Sure" said Henren. "This yere Is
the Powder River outfit of the Double
x ranch. Drive on" and he prepared
to resume his nap.
Stop a bit.' cried the managing
director. This is the most luxurious
camping equipment! do not remem-
ber that I have ever seen anything
approaching 1t in completeness. My
good man, will you tell me-"
"Oh. don't bother" growled John,
sleepily. IF yer want a bed, 60 to tn
ONCE an. register"
But, my word!" exclaimed Chiches-
ter. These appliances for an ordin-
ary bivouac are revelation.
We'll. we're shy q couple Of pictures
and bath-tub," admitted Heffren.
Ed. May stretched himself. and sat
suddenly upright. blinking at the Wis.
itors
"Howdy, Mike" said he. when did
you blow Ing"
I'm a-haulin' this gentleman out to
the ranch." French Mike replied.
Say" he added maliciously. as he
gathered up his reins-"say, he's the
eastern boss OF the Double-x. 80
long!"
Mr.. Chichester was SO busily en-
"a 1ed in taking n mental fnxanforw r,f