Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

outside theSbunk house enjoying their
pipes and cigarettes in the sunset
glow. There were long legged Jink
Probe, Mason Pepper. Tony Goff. Jack
Raymond, Bob Hazen, 1.-The mysterious
Englishman," and, little in the fore
ground, Boss Carwood himself
who comes here?" Queried Jack
Raymond laxily.
The others followed the direction OF
his curious eyes and saw a horse and
rider flying up the straight trail that
was plainly visible for half mile
zone OF the Manning boys" remark
ed Carwood carelessly.
Rides reckless-like Petite" observed
Jink Prele "'Tain't him. though"
"Why not?"
"'Tain't Manning horse"
mo more it amt" muttered Jack
| Raymond, arousing himself to watch
the rapidly approaching horseman.
| The horse was q beautiful creature,
a deep cream color with name and tail
/ q dark bay. Its rider was mounted on
! a high Mexican saddle and wore cordu-
roy trousers belted around a soft white
silk shirt, crimson scarf knotted at
the throat, a broad brimmed gray felt
hat pulled well down over the head
and half concealing the eyes, gray
gauntlets and high heeled spurred
| boots Of tanned leather.
Kinder ladyiike looking" remarked
Tony Cor under his breath.
Looks as if he meant business Just
the same" returned Mason Pepper.
"Howdy?" said the stranger.
"Howdy?" they all calculated In
chorus, all except Hazen, the English
man, and he muttered, How dye
do?" all the time gazing at the stran-
ger with a puzzled frown on his hand
some face.
Get off and stay awhile" invited
| Carwood cordially. Have some sup
perY BE arose and bawled an order
to the cook.
Don't care II do" returned the
stranger, dismounting easily and turn
ing his horse over to Mexican Pete.
"Are you Mr.. Carwood?" he continued.
folding his arms and looking up at the
burly cattleman.
That's my name"
81 have a letter for you, and-er-
perhaps 1 may have a few moments
conversation with you," continued the
stranger. by the way, my names
Gray-Jim Gray"
Glad to know you, Gray. Come up
to the house while l read the letter
Cooks getting some supper for you"
Look like a toy terrier and a mas
tiff" remarked Raymond as the two
figures vanished in the dusk.
"'Rears as If he might sew a little
now and then. P'r'aps he'd turn tC
and be member for the outfit"
: Like as not he's little fire eater
and could ride you clean Off a horse.
laughed Mason Pepper heartlessly.
Tony COT joined in the laugh at his
/ own expense. Once there had come
to the Twin Star ranch q greenhorn tC
saddle and lariat, so he said, and sc
] his delicate appearance confirmed
D The Twin Star outfit had proceeded tC
E put the newcomer through hazing
: that would prove the mettle of any
man.
The greenhorn had proved his met
1
Goff, the chief hazer. Since then Mr.
Goff was secretly suspicious OF al
: 'ladylike" looking strangers.
: So they talked idly now, watchin,
the moon rise above the fairness Of tn,
plain below. They had not noticed
that Mexican Pete had slipped ava!
} from the edge of the group and haC
, made cautious detour Of the rancl
house. Pete loved to be the first I,
impart bits Of news to the catttlemen
and he often stopped to questionable
5 methods to gain information. On thi
occasion he did not hesitate to lister
10 the conversation OF Boss Carwoot
and the stranger, Jim Gray.
) All at once he appeared in the mids
r Of the group of cowpunchers, chucklini
suFgestive!y.
Me, | have news" he whispered
That Jim Gray mamie detectiv
looking for some man-Lionel Frary-
| think maybe
The EngliShman Ieaped to his fee
with muttered ejaculation of wrath.
"Oh, / say, chaps, l can't stand thi
fellows tattHng gossip. For sixpenc
-, ia give him a sound drubbing. VIVA
l do you think, eh?"
Mexican Pete, who was an a.rau
coward, squeaIed shrilly and disappear
? ed in the direction Of the stables.
Bob Hazen growled inarticulatel
and walked away down the trail. Th
others watched him until he was swal
lowed up by the distance. The rattle
taciturn young Euglishman was givel
j., TO solitary tramps. and his companion
: respected his apparent desire to b
alone from various motives.
Wonder what makes all these Eng
ishmen so kinder moody and down
l cast" unused Mason Pepper. breaking
> the silence.
Il reckon it's because they come owe
here and see what great country thi
Is and realize they can't come up TO
!, back home" ventured Tony Golf.
why can't they come up 10 1t bacl
there" demanded Mason arguments
lively.
There amt room enough 10 have
first class roundup-not without STAN
pedlng some OF the critters Off the II
land into the ocean, retorted Ton
. COT