The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-12-28

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not wish him we'll.
Suspicious that the latter .enyied
him these rides with Mary Radford
Ferguson took keen delight in con-
tlnuing them. His first meeting with
the range boss in Dry Bottom had
convinced him OF their mutual dis.
! like. And Ferguson had no regrets.
So he continued his rides, thoroughly
enjoying the situation.
One day, while riding the river trail
returning from short gallop the girl
suddenly drew rein on little knoll
overlooking the river. Ferguson,s
! pony came to a halt few feet dis
tant. The girls face was serious.
MY brother and were talking
about you last night" she said in a
low hesitating voice, her eyes on the
| pony's name.
Il didn't think I was that impor.
/ tant." he retained.
But you are" The girls face red
dened., You're bothering us whole
| lot
I'D like to think that was bother.
In you," he said, significantly.
1T isn't that" she said rapidly.
She raised her eyes suddenly and
gazed straight at him. Ben didn't
want me to say anything about 1T
He said he'd talk to you himself. But
I've got to say it. II Stafford has
hired you, why don't you work."
1t was out now. and she sat red of
face in the saddle, showing her en-
barrassment.
T, Ferguson smiled He had expected
this long before. He had determined
/ to make no move in the game until
| matters so shaped themselves that he
| could see his way clearly. And now
that the question had come he sat
| quietly In his saddle his face grave,
| his eyes steady and alert.
i STAFFORD hired me to look for
rustlers," he said slowly. He watched
her furtively, to see how she received
this. He thought her surprise quite
natural.
II thought So she returned, again
looking squarely at him. Where do
t you expect to find them?" There was
4 defiance in the question.
That's the puzzle" he said. $50
far | amt seen any rustlers"
How far have you looked?" she
questioned with steady, amused
glance.
He laughed. II reckon know what
you mean," he returned. 1--WE been
hangin' around here quite bit. But
don't reckon to prove you're a
rustler.'
She smiled and sat suddenly erect,
touching the pony's TANKS with the
spurs. "We'd better be going,
think" She urged the pony about
/ He followed her down the trail,
taking his leave at the edge of the
wood near the cabin
During the next few days he did
not go near Bear Flat, passing his
time riding the Ute TRAIL penetrating
to the farthermost limits of the Two
Diamong range, returning to the
ranch house at odd hours of the
morning, talking to no one, and wear
ing an air of preoccupation.
Towards the end of the week he
sought an interview with Stafford.
The latter had begun to worry about
him. When Ferguson came into the
Office the managers manner was a
trifie anxious.
You seen anything Of Radford?''
he asked.
/ Il amt got nothin' on Radford,'
was the reply.
/ His tone angered the manager. ~
amt askin you to get anything on
| him" he returned. II hired you to
do certain thing an I'm waitin' for
you to do It."
Ferguson smiled coldly Il amt
shootin' no one unless l got pretty
good case" he replied. Of my ways
don't suit you--- IN
Take your own time" advised
i Stafford in a subdued voice. 81 ain't
hurryin you none
4 Ferguson smiled "There amt nc
other hester around here that you
know of-beside Radford?" he ques
toned.
NO Radford's the only one"
Ferguson fingered moment Then
he walked to the door II reckon
that's all" he said. "I'll be goin'.'
He went out and mounted his pony
/ Two hours later he rode down
/ through shallow crossing of the Ute
about twenty miles from tae Two Dia
mond ranch house. In little BASH
near the river he saw a hundred
beeves grazing. A little adobe hui
Struggled the bank of the river.
Ferguson rode down to the door oil
the hut, peering in through the open
door. The interior was deserted. He
rode down the river some little dis
4 lance, keeping watchful eye around
him. He saw no one Then he rode
boldly into the basin, examining the
cattle from his saddle.
/ After spending some time among
the cattle he rode out of the basin.
i He was smiling grimly Among the
cattle were several that bore the Two
Diamond brand.
/ An hour later, while riding through
a grove of fir-balsams, he saw Leyiatt
and another puncher riding over the
plains towards the basin he had just
left Ferguson urged his pony deeper
into the grove. and from his conceal
ment watched the two men, For half
an hour they continued straight over
the plains, and then altered their
course and rode down towards the
river.
Then Ferguson urged his pony into
the open and struck the trail toward
! Roar Flat IIic p.o, I;ttlo