Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-01

Nothing was known about Ralph
Hayden. a young man who bought
small ranch in New Mexico, except
that he was an Englishman. He was
tall and well formed. with light hair
aud complexion and blue eyes This.
with winning smile that uncovered
white. regular teeth, made him In APP
pearance very attractive. He had
brought $4,000 with him from England.
with which he purchased and stocked
his ranch.
He had no soone. got settled than
= the neighboring ranchers called on
him and invited him to their homes.
but he accepted none of their invita-
tons. This excited good deal of talk
among the women at the different
ranch houses. all of whom were Gu
rious to know why the handsome Brit
Usher would have nothing to do with
them. The general verdict was that
he considered himself too good for
them. Nevertheless Hayden was hail
fellow well met with all the men and
soon became popular alike with ranch
ers and cowboys.
One day Hayden set out to 60 to a
neighboring ranch. He was walking
across q field when bull espied him
and bore down on him from the rear.
Hayden. unconscious of his danger.
continued on leisurely. Suddenly he
saw a horsewoman leap fence and
rush upon him, swinging lasso as she
rode. Not understanding the move
ment, he stood still, regarding her with
wondering eyes Coming near him,
she threw her lasso. but not at him.
Turning, he saw that she had thrown
the loop around the horns Of bull.
Drawing his revolver. he quickly kill
ed the beast.
The next thing he did was to raise
his hat in courtly manner to the wo-
man who had saved his life and offer
his thanks. She was girl about
twenty years old. A coil of hair was
railing under her sombrero, having
been loosened by the jump she had
made over the fence. Her costume
was jacket cut Mexican fashion and
divided skirts Of the same material.
den. Il would probably now be either
dead or dying. The bull would have
taken me in the back and broken it.
shall esteem 1t favor If you will
name the way in which I may best
show my gratitude"
You are Mr. Hayden. | believer?
II am
do you know what woman loves
best?"
II do not"
ITO get ahead of other women"
"Well?"
Come and see me-"
You have a charming frankness.
shall certainly call upon you. You
must be that Miss Macdonald of whom
have heard so much"
Il am Kate acDonald. / bid you
good morning"
kate Macdonald was a feminine free
lance. She could ride. shoot. hurl
Iasso as well as any man In the neigh
borhood and had way of looking out
or pair of honest eyes that invited
confidence. She was tender hearted I'm
the extreme. She called n spade
spade and had a sovereign CONTEMPT
for people who said one thing and
meant another.
Ralph Hayden called upon her at her
fathers ranch the same evening.
When he arose to go she said TO him:
Tomorrow afternoon | shall expect
You to ride with me. We will go past
the principal ranches ipreabout i'm or
der that the women may see us to-
gether. After that | shall resign all
claims upon your attention"
"And / shall not be allowed to visit
you again.?
"As often as you like. but not from
any obligation TO do So
month later one evening Ralph
Hayden. after pacing the floor for nm
hour. swayed by conflicting emotions.
went to Kate MacDonaIds home. told
her that he loved her SO deeply that
he could ruin himself for her and beg.
ged her TO marry him.
What do you mean by running your
self for me-" she asked
II am pledged to marry girl in
England"
Kate started. This was indeed
blow. Her sense Of honor revolted 10
his deserving another for her.
Does she love you very much?" she
asked.
II don't know. suppose she loves
me. though the marriage Is to be under
certain contingencies.
what are they? No. don't tell me.
Go away. | need time to think this
over"
He obcyed the order. For several
days there was no communication he.
tween them. Then lie wrote her re
calling all Inc had said. closing with
the words: II WAS dpmentcd. There
is but one path for me 10 follow. AMI
only q fool and knave would follow
any other"
No answer came tO this. Ono even.