The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-11

| this outfit since"
"That's right" admitted Redwood
! gloomily.
"What happened"
II left the sauashy bundle all right,
and the Chink said It would be bits,
! and be gave mt a piece Of paper GOV.
cred with turkey tracks. and now !
It know where the blamed paper Il
- he frightened suddenly and
slapped bis knee. "Now, reckon meb'
be I made cigarette out Of 1t. was
short Of paper about that time"
Henderson laughed loudly. You'd
have knowed 1t II you'd smoked that.
Redwood. Mebbc we can help you out.
because II that girl don't git to the
dance, why, don't know what US
chaps will do. I've seen her."
"Is 1t that bad:" asked Peters SYM
pathetically.
"Shes peachcrino" quoth Mr.. Hen
derson warmly.
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.
1--WE been trying to figure that out
ever since. must have got lost. for
I was three days getting back here,
and had nothing to eat
"You can cut that out" interjected
Peters. grinning Il found you at Be-
derman's, and that's over to the south
east-somew near where Chris has
been after his stray critter."
Mr.. Webb's air Of langOur increased.
'Then reckon this young lady can't 30
to the dance unless she gets this dress
what the Chink Is washing. ch:" He
yawned again.
Redwood nodded. Il reckon it's the
only party dress she's got; she seemed
mighty particular about it," he said
regrctfully.
"And she can't ret the dress without
the chcck?" persisted Chris sIeepily.
mo checked, no shirtee" returned
Redwood.
"You going to the dancc?"
Mr.. Redwood smiled labOriOusly and
ran his hand along one leg with pain
ful gesture. Il reckon my legs most
too stir this time, SO guess I won't
be around tomorrow night" he said.
They laughed hcartlessly as they
parted for the night.
In his own corner Of the roughly par.
titioncd bunk house christopher Webb
pulled the laundry check from bis
rocket and studied the strange hero
glyphics with thoughtful eyes. I'll do
It," he said suddenly. Il reckon she'll
be mighty grateful to the one who
brings back her party dress. expect
it's a pretty thing-all friils 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. II wasn't cut out for a book
kecper or for city life. II she'd only
have seen that my coming Into the
open was my call 10 what | could do
best, but she gave me the so by. and
here am! I'm a darncd sight better
of in some ways than I was there In
Denver. I've got health and I've got
a thousand sailed away against the
ranch Ill buy some day, hut haven't
got her"
His head dropped a little. and then.
as IL aware Of his weakness. he threw
back his shoulders and laughed softly
mo need to keep that other girl away
from the party" he said in a low tone
as he proceeded 10 make an elaborate
toilet with such facilities as the ranch
afforded.
II was past midnight when he let
himself out Of the door and made his
way into the corral 1t was the work
Of a moment to catch up a mount. This
time It was a rawbOned sorrel with
a long raking stride that carried his
rider over the trail with remarkable
swiftness. At 10 o'clock the next
morning Christopher Webb dismount
ed stfiy from the sorrel and entered
the door Of Chinese laundry in the
J nourishing town Of Cactus Branch
In his hand he carried laundry
check, and when he came forth he
bore large and squashy looking
bundle. which he placed carefully he
fore him when he rcmounted
. A brief stop for breakfast and ther
, he was back on another trail, thi:
, 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 int
the open. as he called his departure
, from the city. but he had not seer
Jim recently. He had heard that b
, was married now and taken the Lon
!. Horn.
At 5 O'Clock he clattered up to tn,
vcranda Of the Lone Horn rancl
house and shouted in q stentorial
!. voice:
"Taundryw