Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-16

sudden dread.
Three months before man had
come to the Lazy L wearing two guns.
He had taken his place among the men
of the outfit, apparently engaged as
an ordinary puncher. But two months
later a hester named Harvey Toban
had been shot to death, and before an
investigation could be started the man
had mysteriously disappeared. After
his disappearance a vague rumor had
| reached her to the effect that the man
| had been q gun fighter, and that the
Lazy l. Company had sent him to the
ranch purposely to kill the nester Her
| father had been reticent regarding the
incident-had even grufiy told her to
mind her own business when she had
attempted to question him. Apparent
| ly the incident had been forgotten. But
she still remembered and she cringed
away from the stranger a little while
with furtive glances she made a rapid
searching inspection of him.
He was nearly thirty, she decided,
noting the level brows and the serene,
steady eyes that glinted with slight
humor as she made her rapid analysis.
And good-looking. Her cheeks red
dened a little as this fact was record
ed.
no ntQtnrh60
over her searching glances. He smiled.
you live anywheres around here?" he
repeated.
my father is manager Of the Lazy
L." she returned.
How far do you reckon the Lazy L
is from here?" he questioned.
"Six or seven miles," she returned,
her gaze going again to the injured
pony.
He went over to where his own pony
was grazing, catching the bride rein
and leading the animal close to her
before replying. That's be a right
long walk-for a lady," he said then.
You hop onto my horse an get along.
I'll be comm later"
She objected, but he persisted, smil:
ing. You hadn't ought to refuse
neighbor," he said finally. you say
your father is runnin' the Lazy L.
I've heard that the Lazy L is right
close to the Triangular -Bar-where I'm
goin' to hang out hereafter"
She gave an exclamation of sur
prise and relief. Then he was not
gun fighter after all. She could not
conceal the satisfaction that shone In
her eyes.
Are you going to work over at the
Triangular Barr" she asked.
He laughed. surveying her with
pleased eyes. II expect I'll work over
there" he returned. You see, I'm the
new owner Of the Triangular Bar. I've
got a little ranch down in Texas, but
since my brother died I've got to take
care of the Triangular Bar too. 1 ex-
pect takin' care Of the two might be
called work"
The constraint that had marked her
manner toward him suddenly melted
into genuine pleasure. She extended a
hand, smiling frankly. Then you are
Dave Toban!" she said. II met your
brother many times before-before he
was shot. l am glad to be the first to
welcome you here" For a moment her
hand lay in his, and then she drew 1t
away and allowed it to fall to her side,
suddenly aware Of a hard CLINT that
had come into his eyes.
Il reckon you didn't hear who it was
shot him." he questioned, with pro-
nounced drawl.
Nobody knows" she returned. "A
man came here and joined the outfit.
He worked here two months. Then he
disappeared and word came to us that
Harvey Toban had been shot. We
haven't heard Of the man since"
He smiled dryly. WELL" he said
evenly, still drawing. Il reckon Har-
vey ought to have took care of him
self"
With these words he seemed to have
dismissed the subject from his mind.
He smiled, pulling his pony closer to
her. You'll take my horse now," he
said, "knowin' that we're goin' to be
neighbors."
He placed one hand on his knee, the
palm upward, as an invitation to her
She quickly placed one foot in 1t and
was swung lightly to the saddle. From
the pony's back she smiled gratefully
down at him, her gaze lingering just
an instant longer than was necessary.
Then she urged the pony forward, leav-
ing him standing beside Ginger, who
raised his head and whinnied despair
ingly as she departed.
Five minutes later, when she was
well on her way over the plains to-
ward the ranch-house, she heard dull
report-and then another. She shud-
dered and covered her face with her
hands. Another five minutes passed
and then, reaching the crest of rise,
she looked back. The new Triangular
Bar owner was coming toward her
with long, swinging strides, bearing her
saddle on his shoulder
II
| Dusk had fallen when the man who
had called himself Dave Toban reached
the ranch house, and after depositing
Miss Hubbard's saddle on the porch,
turned and walked to the door Of the
managers office, halting when he stood
on the threshold.
Miss Hubbard had arrived something
over an hour before, had turned the
strangers pony into the horse corral,
told her father Of her adventure, and
informed him of the coming Of the
stranger Then, going into the ranch
house. she had fitted back and forth
from the kitchen to the window In
front of the house, from which she
| watched the approach of the stranger.