Arizona republican., 1912-04-30
The DazzledEyeS
 of Patricia
By CHARLES ALDEN SELTZER

) (CentinHeG ./,ont yesf<rdny)
 Three months before a man had come to the Lazy l. wearing two guns. He had taken his place among the men of the outfit, apparently en- gagged as an ordinary puncher. But two months later hester named Har- vey Toban had been shot to death, and before an investigation could be started the man had mysteriously dis appeared. After his disappearance a vague rumOr had reached her to the effect that the man had been a gun fighter and that the Lazy L company had sent him to the ranch purposely to kill the hester. Her father had been reticent regarding the incident had even gruffly told her to mind her own business when she had attempted to question him. Apparently the in cident had been forgotten. But she still remembered, and she cringed away from the stranger a little while with furtive glances she made a "a pid searching inspection of him.
 He was nearly thirty, she decided, noting the level brows and the serene, steady eyes that glinted with a slight humor as she made her rapid andy sis. And good-looking. Her cheeks reddened a little as this fact was re- corded.
 Apparently he was not disturbed 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 pcny
 He went over 10 where his own pony was grazing. catching the bridle rein and leading the animal close to her before replying. 'Thatd be a right long walk-for a lady" he said then. You hop onto my horse an get along. I'll be comin' later"
 She objected. but he persisted. smil- ing. You hadn't ought to refuse a 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 a gun-fghtcr after all. She could not conceal the satisfaction that shone in her eyes.
 Are you going 10 work over at the Triangular Barr" she asked
 He laughed. surveying her with pleased eyes. "I expect I'll work ever there" he returned You see. I'm II z 4N- I've got little ranch down in Texas. but since my brother died I've got to take care of the Triangular Bar too. expect takin' care of the two might be called work"
 The cOnstraint that had marked ner manner toward him suddenly melted into genuine pleasure She extended a hand. smiling frankly. Then you are Dave Toban," she said. T met your brother many times be- fore-before he was shot. I am glad to be the first to welcome you here" For a moment her hand lay in his. and then she drew it away and al lowed if to fall to her side. suddenly aware of a hard glint that had come into his eyes.
 'I reckon you didn't hear who it
 
 pronounced drawl.
 Nobody knows she returned. "A man came here and joined the out fit. He worked here two months. Then he disappeared and word came 10 us that Harvey Toban had been shot. We haven't heard of the man since"
 He smiled dryly. Well" he said evenly still drawling. ''I reckon liar 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 it and was swung lightly into the saddle. From the pony's back she smiled gratefully down at him. her gaze lin gering just an instant longer than was necessary. Then she urged the pony forward. leaving him standing beside Ginger who raised his head and whin- nied despairingly as she departed.
 F1Ve minutes idleT, WHeH SHe NdS we'll on her way over the plains toward the ranch-house, she heard a dull re portland 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 Triangu- lar Bar owner was coming toward her with long. swinging strides, bearing her saddle on his shoulder.
 Dusk had fallen when the man who