The Lambertville record., 1911-02-24

Chris got upon his feet and tossed
away the end OF his cigarette. what
trail did you follow when you came
back from the roundup?" he yawned
carelessly.
Redwood shook his head hopelessly.
I've been trying TO figure that out
ever since, | must have got lost, for
l was three days getting back here,
and | had nothing to eat
"You can cut that out" interjected
Peters, grinnlng. II found you at Be
derman's, and that's over to the south
east-somewhere near where Chris has
been after his stray critter."
Mr.. Webb's air of langour increased.
'"Then | reckon this young lady can't go
TO the dance unless she gets this dress
what the Chink Is washing, ehT 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 check7" persisted Chris sleepily.
"No checkee, no shlrteer' returned
Redwood.
''You going to the dancer"
Mr.. Redwood smiled laboriously and
ran his hand along one leg with pain
full gesture. Il reckon my legs most
too stiff this time, so | guess won't
be around tomorrow night" he said
They laughed heartlessly as they
parted for the night.
In his own corner of the roughly par
tltioned bunk house Christopher Webb
pulled tho laundry check from his
pocket and studied the strange hero
glyphics with thoughtful eyes. "I'll do
1t" he said suddenly. II reckon she'll
be mighty grateful to the one who
brings back her party dress. expect
it's a pretty thing-all frllls 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 ami I'm darned sight better
Off in some ways than l was there In
Denver. I've got health and I've got
a thousand salted away against the
ranch I'll buy some day, but haven't
got her!"
His head dropped n little, and then,
as If 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 n low tone
Is he proceeded to make an elaborate
toilet with such facilities MS the ranch
Afforded
1t was past midnight when he let
himself out of the door and made his
way into the corral. 1t was the work
af a moment to catch up mount. This
me lt was rawboned sorrei with
a long raking stride that carried his
der over the trail with remarkable
swlftness At 10 o'clock the next
morning Christopher Webb dlsmount.
ed stliiy from the sorrel and entered
he door of Chinese laundry In tho
.!ourishing town of @actus Branch
in his hand he carried laundry
heck. and when he came forth he
lore large and squashy looking
| Lundle, which he placed carefully be
| fore him when he remounted.
A brief stop for breakfast and ther
he was back on another trail. this
time the one leading toward the Lone
Horn He knew Jim Traymore slight
~, had met him three years before
when Chris had first come out into
ne open, as he called his departure
rom the city, but he had not seen
Jim recently. He had heard that he
was married now and taken the Lone
Horn.
At 3 o'clock he clattered up TO the
veranda OF the Lone Horn ranch
house and shouted In stentorlan
voice:
"Laundryw
There was n delighted shrek from
within and light footsteps on the
wooden floor of the hail. Then u
slender form gowned In pale blue cot
ton darted across the veranda and
held up eager arms for the bundle
lovely golden haired girl with wlst-
ful blue eyes and sadly dropping
mouth, who did not see Christopher
Webb's amazed face. She saw moth
ing save the bundle and tall, kindly
disposed cowboy who had ridden out
of his way to obllge her.
How can thank you she was
beginning when Christopher spoke
from the shadow of his broad hat
"Annie" he said In low tone.
Annie Lee looked Mt him for mo-
ment. and then, dropping her head
against his knee, she cried softly for
awhile. Elsie married Jim Traymore
year ago." she explained, "and l
came out here to visit them. | didn't
know where you were, Chris, but l
felt somehow II l was out in this
country | might be near you anyway.
I-have wanted you so~
When Christopher broke the news
to his comrades at the Three Forks
he added laughing, II reckon that
there occasion will demand billed
shirt, ell, boysf'
$50 do, so do" urged Henderson
eagerly Seems like wedding
oughter break that there billed shirt
hoodoo."
"You got any laundry checks up
your sleeveT demanded Peters OF
Henderson. "You speak kind of wish
ful, like you'd love to wear billed
shirt"
II expect all of you TO wear EN-
when-when it's necessary-that is,
when I'm married." said the happy
Christopher authoritatively.