The Press., 1911-06-14

agin her once more" And Crane flap ped the lines about his horse's neck and ] moved forward, the other struggling i behind in friendly converse over divers matters of interest.
 They did not hear the soft thud of l small hoofs behind them, and 1t was not until clear, bell-like voice sound ed close at hand that they all turned and stared at girl riding a buckskin pony.
 She was unmistakably a pretty girl She sat her horse with careless grace. 1 Her hair was red, and her skin was pink and white, with a powdering of tiny freckles across her lovely nose. Tipped back on her mass of radiant hair was a wide soft black hat. Her riding skirt was black, and her shirt waist was crisp and white. From the peak of her hat to the tip of her little brown riding boot she was picture to admire.
 The Lone Bull boys gasped and whip ped off their hats. Harry Barry ma-
 
 newcomer and got it.
 She surveyed the startled group with soft gray eyes that wandered from one to another with friendly interest until at last they alighted on the mildly pro testing form of the red heifer.
 "What are you doing with my heif- er?' she asked gently. She looked at NTsoro ponvs0o oh P11I1u
 "Your heiferY" repeated Crane stu pidly.
 "Of course it's mine. saw you run ming it off my range. I am surprised! am surprisedy'
 "This here is lost critter," protest ed Crane wildly. "It belongs to who- ever brands it. saw it running away, and went after it.''
 ''It's my heifer," said the girl calmly. ssYou see, Pm Mrs. Clancy, and this heifer was grazing on my range when you drove her off,"
 Crane blushed violently and looked at his mates. They were all sitting open mouthed, wide eyed, absorbed in the pretty picture made by the charm y That handsome youth had dismounted and was stroking the nose of the buck skin pony with an air of delightful in- limacy.
 "I beg your pardon, ma'am," stam- mered Crane at last. Tt was some thing in the nature of joke. This here red heifer has been branded by every outfit in the county''-
 ''Oh, no,' smiled the widow sweetly. "I am sure you're mistaken because this red heifer only arrived two days ago. My cousin in Wyoming sent her to me as a birthday gift. If you will examine her you will see that she bears only two brands-the Double B of my cousins ranch and my own, Three Stars.''
 Silently Crane slid to the ground and inspected the belligerent creature. When he looked up a sheepish grin widened his face.
 You're right, Mrs. Clancy, and I humbly beg your pardon. Might ask what became of the red heifer that grazed with your bunch last weekT'
 The widow dimpled. "Oh, some of the men from the Circle c outfit ran her off my range last Saturday night" :" she said demurely.
 "Then our works cut out for us," said Crane grimly. "Them Circle c chaps has got two brands on her, and we can't let lem have another one. Shall drive the critter to the corral, ma'am, or turn her loose here?''
 Perhaps MT. Barry will drive her to the corral" hesitated the widow Clancy with feeting smile at that youth, "after he has introduced me to my neighbors.''
 After general introduction, which took place amid much laughter and merriment, the Lone Bull boys declar- ed that the old trail that led to the Three Star ranch must not be allowed to remain grass grown.
 "'Pears like I'd noticed 1t was being trod some," drawled Gabriel, with side glance at Harry Barry.
 Harry Barry smiled deflantly, and the widow hlushed as she shook hands with all of them. "I hope you'll all help to keep that trail clear" she call ed back as she rode away with Harry.
 "You bet we will," they sent back in lusty chorus.
 As the two graceful figures went away, the red heifer pranc1ng ahead of them, Gabriel fetched long sigh.
 Him next, suppose" he said. First Jim, then Tim here, and now it's Harry Barry"
 ''Three Star ranch" unused Jim Lewis with all the sentiment becoming a newly welded man. '"The widow Clancy is certainly one star!'
 "And it looks like Harry and the heifer are the other two stars" laugh ed Tim.