Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-02-25

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have knowed Il IL you'd smoked that.
Redwood Mebbe we can help you out.
because If that girl don't git TO the
dance. why. don't know what Us
chaps VIII do. I've seen her"
is Il that BAD" asked Peters sym.
pathetcally
shes pcachcrino.' quoth Mr. Hen
ierson warmly.
Chris got upon his Geet and tossed
away the end Of his cigarette. what
trail did you follow when you came
back from the roundup he yawncd
carelessly.
Redwood shook his head hopelessly.
"Tye been trying TO figure that out
ever since. must have got lost, for
| was three days getting back here.
and | had nothing TO eat
"You can cut that out" intericcted
Peters, grinnlng. II found you at Be
derman's. and that's over 10 the south
east--somewhere near where Chris has
been after his stray critter."
Mr. Wcbbs air of langour increased
Then reckon this young lady can't go
10 the dance unless she gets this dress
what the Chink Is washing. eh?" He
yawned again.
Redwood nodded II reckon it's the
only party dress she's got; she seemed
mighty particular about IT," he said
regretfully.
"And she can't get the dress without
the checki" persisted Chris sleepily.
mo checkee. no shirteer' returned
Redwood
You going 10 the dance?'
Mr. Redwood smiled laboriously and
ran his hand along one leg with n pain
full gesture. Il reckon my legs most
TOO stlff this time. so guess ! won't
be around tomorrow night" he said
They laughed heartlessly rs they
parted for the night.
In his own corner OF the roughly par
titioned bunk house Christopher Webb
) pulled the laundry check from his
pocket and studied the strange hero
glyphlcs with thoughtful eyes. I'm do
It," he said suddenly. II reckon she'll
be mighty grateful TO the one who
brings back her party dress. expect
it's pretty thlng-all frills and fur
bellows and lacy stuff, like what Annie
used to wear" His dark eyes became
almost black with sudden intensity
OF emotion, and his brows knitted pain.
fully Il wasn't cut out for book
keeper or for city life. II she'd only
have seen that my coming into the
open was my call TO what could do
best, but she gave me the go by. and
here | am. I'm a darncd sight better
off In some ways than | was there In
Denver I've got health aud I've got
Il thousand sailed away against the
ranch I'll buy some day. but | haven't
got herr"
His head dropped a little. and then,
as IL aware Of his weakness. he threw
back his shoulders and laughed softly
NO need TO keep that other girl away
from the party" he said in low tone
us he proceeded 10 make an elaborate
toilet with such facilities as the RANCH
afforded.
1 II was past midnight when he let
himself out of the door and made his
way into the corral. II was the work
of n moment TO catch up mount. This
! time II was rawboned sorrel with
Il long raking stride that carried his
rider over the trail with remarkable
swiftness. At 10 o'clock the next
morning Christopher Webb dismount'
cd stlIly from the sorrel and entered
the door of n Chinese laundry in the
Gourlshinc town OF Cactus Branch
In his hand he carried laundry
check. and when he came forth he
bore large and squashy looking
bundle. which he placed carefully be
fore him when he remounted.
A brief stop for breakfast and then
he was back on another trail. this
time the one leading toward the Lone
Horn. He knew Jim Traymore slight
Is, had met him three years before
when Chris had first come out into
the open. as he called his departure
from the city, but he had not seen
Jim recently. He had heard that he
was married now and taken the Lone
Horn.
At : o'clock he clattered up 10 the
veranda of the Lone Horn ranch
house and shouted in a stentoran
voice:
laundry
There was delighted shrek from
within and light footsteps on the
wooden floor of the hall. Then n
slender form gowned In pale blue cot
ten darted across the veranda and
held ~ eager arms for the bundle
q lovely golden haired girl with visit
FIJI blue eyes and a sadly dropping
routh who did not see Christopher
WchbS amazed face She saw moth
ing save the bundle and a tall. kindly
disposed cowboy who had ridden out
nr his way 10 oblige her.
How can thank YOU she was
beginning whA Christopher spoke
from the shadow of his broad hat.
annie" he said In a low tone.
Annie Lee looked NJ him for mo
ment. ana then. dropping her head
against his knee. she cried softly for