Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-08-03

A ROMANCE OF THE OLD TINE
COW COUNTRY.
BY CHARLES ALDEN SETTER.
Copyright, 1910, the Pearson Publish
ing Company.


81 reckon you're wantin' a jol
awful bad" sneered the young man.
Ferguson smiled. "Takin' your tall
you an Stafford amt very gooC
friends" he said
The young man did not answer. He
dismounted and led his animal to &
small corral. and then returned to the
porch, carrying his saddle Ferguson
had risen to his feet and was prepar
ing TO descend from the porch, intend
ing to resume his journey to the Two
Diamond. But as he chung to the
slender post near the step the young
woman came out. A sharp exclama
ton from her halted him.
You're not going now!" she said
you have got to remain perfectly
quiet until morning."
The young man dropped his saddle
10 the porch floor. grinning mildly at
Ferguson. You don't need to be in a
hurry" he said. What l said about
Stafford don't mean you" He looked
up at his sister. still grinning. 81
reckon he amt got nothin to do
with it?"
81 hope not" returned the young
woman, blushing.
Were goin' to eat pretty soon"
said the young man. 81 reckon that
rattler didn't take your appetizer"
Supper is ready now" announced
the young woman.
Ferguson followed the young man
inside, after washing from the tin
basin that stood on bench just out
side the door The three took places
at the rough table, and Ferguson was
helped TO a frugal, though wholesome
supper. The dusk began to fall while
they were yet at the table, and by the
time they had finished the young
woman had lighted the kerosene lamp.
Ferguson then followed the young
man out to the porch for a smoke.
They had scarcely become seated
when there was clatter of hoofs and
a pony and rider came out of the
shadow Of the cottonwood, halting
Just beside the porch.
The newcomer was a man OF forty.
The light of the Kerosene lamp
cleaned fairly in his face as he sat
in the saddle. showing pair of cold.
steady eyes, and thin, straight lips
that were wreathed in a smile.
Thought I'd ride over an keep you
company for little while, before | go
down the crick to where the outfits
workin'." he said And now his eyes
swept Ferguson's lank figure with
searching glance. But / didn't know
you was havin' company" he added.
The second glance that he threw
toward Ferguson was not friendly.
Ferguson's lips curled slightly under
il. Each man had been measured by
IN,
the other anything TO admire.
Ferguson's thoughts went rapidly
back to Dry Bottom. He saw a man
in the center of the street, putting five
bullets through a can that he had
thrown into the air. He saw again
the mans face as he had completed
his xhibition-insolent, filled with
a sneering triumph. He heard this
mans voice as he himself had offered
TO eclipse his feat:
You runnin' sheep, stranger"
The voice and face of the man who
stood before ham now was the voice
and face of the man who had pre-
ceded him in the shooting match in
Dry Bottom.
His thoughts were interrupted by
hearing the voice of his host, explain
ing his presence.
This here man was bit by a RATHER
this afternoon" he was saying. He's
layin' up here for tonight. Says he's
reckonin' on gettin' job over at the
Two Diamond"
The man on the horse sneered.
He'll" he said: "bit by a rattler!"
He laughed insolently. pulling his
pony's head around. II reckon III
be goin'." he said You'll nurse him
SOS he won't die?" He had struck the
pony's tanks with the spurs and was
gone into the shadows before either
man on the porch could move.
There was a short silence. while the
two men could still hear the beat OF
his pony's hoofs. Then Ferguson
turned and spoke to the young man.
You know him."
The young man smiled eoldly
Yep" be said: hes range boss fol
the Two Diamond"
The next day Ferguson rode over
to the Two Diamond ranch house.
The ankle was nearly back to normal,
ana ne WIS dDle W uId" thS OOOt Oht
though it panied frightfully. The
girl had bandaged the ankle before
he left, and had followed him to the
door when he was ready to depart.
Her brother had gone away an hour
before.
I'm thankin' you, ma'am," said Fer
guson, as he stood for q. moment at
the door. 81 reckon I'd had a bad
time IL It hadn't been for you"
1T was nothing" returned the girl.
Ferguson hesitated. "I'll be ridin'
over here again some day, IL you don't
mind" he said.
Her face Redeemed trif1e. I'm
sure brother would like to have you"
she replied.
Ferguson smiled guilelessly. 81
don't remember that | said | was COM
in over to see your brother" he said.
But 1t would have to be him. she
returned, looking straight at him.
you couldn't come to see me unless
/ asked you"
Ferguson looked gravely at her. 81
reckon you asked that Two Diamond
range boss?"
n