Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-05-03

Peter Kenny had picked out for the
newcomer.
The Lone Bull people had known
very little about the Widow Clancy ex-
cept that occasionally they had de-
scribed a lone female figure galloping
along the distant ridges on a buckskin
pony. Mrs. C1intock had told them
that the widow was like all widows
fair, fat, forty and fascinating. "Also
red hafr," the boss wife had added
with twinkle in her eye.
Not for MINER Harry Barry had
calculated. and the others had echoed
his sentiment. AS by one accord they
ell avoided the Three Star property
and the well defined trail which had
once marked the neighborliness be
tween the ranches was now hidden
with several months growth of rank
grass.
Now the spirit of mischief had sud
denly possessed the solemn Crane, and
he had deliberately led the pursuit aft
er the red hetfer that had been peace
fully grazing on the Widows range for
several weeks.
The spirited horses took fences
whenever there were any, and It was
not long before the red heifer grew to
larger proportions in their sight un-
n at last Cranes lariat went singing
through the air and rippBed into circles
that Strengthened into one that was
taut around the red heifer's neck.
Crane had accomplished his task so
skillfully that there was but the mer-
est shock when the Iariat frightened.
The red heifer plunged at the other
end Of the rope and beloved angrily.
The men laughed and drew together
around the beast.
81 reckon you're going to turn her
loose In the widder's corral" suggested
Jim Lewis.
The captor smiled sardonicaliy. "The
red heifer goes to the branding iron to-
night" he said emphatically. 81 amt
had my hands on her for three months.
If the Wilder Clancy has the con-
science to claim this critter with FIVE
brands to its credit, why, she's the
widder's meat"
"Ain't been ironed for some SPELL
remarked Gabriel, critically surveying
the heifer.
unmistakable brand" said Crane sig
nifcantly.
'Then you're not going to send it
back to Mrs. Clancy?" inquired Harry
Barry.
mot until the Lone Bull mark is
agin her once more" And Crane Zap
ped the lines about bis horses neck and
moved forward, the other struggling
behind In friendly converse over divers
matters Of interest
They did not hear the soft thud of
small hoofs behind them, and it was
not until a clear bell Like voice sound
ed close at hand that they all turned
and stared at q girl riding a buckskin
pony.
She was Enthusiastically a pretty girl.
She sat her horse with careless grace
Her hair was red, and her skin was
pink and white, with q powdering OF
tiny freckles across her lovely nose.
Tipped back on her mass Of radiant
hair was q 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 a picture TO
admire.
The Lone Bull boys gzsped and. whip
ped OF their hats. Harry Barry ma
neuvered for position close to the
and got IT.
She surveyed the startled group with
soft gray eyes that wandered from one
10 another with friendly interest until
at last they alghted on the mildly pro-
testing form of the red heifer.
What are you doing with my heif-
er?' she asked gently. She looked at
Crane reproachfully.
your heifer?" repeated Crane stu
pidly.
LOT course it's mine. ! saw you run
ming Il on my range. am surprised.
am sHrprisedr'
This here Is lost critter." protest