The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-06-02

paling with sudden dread
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 grufily 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 little while
with furtive glances she made a rar
pid 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 analy-
sis. And good-looking. Her cheeks
REDEEMED 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
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'd be
right long walk-for 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 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
gun-fghter 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. IT expect I'll work over
there" he returned. "You see, I'm
the new owner of the Triangular Bar.
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
melted into genuine pleasure. She
Then you are Dave Toban!" she said.
Il met your brother many times be-
fore-before he was shot. I am glad
to be the first to welcome you here"
For moment her hand lay in his,
and then she drew it away and al.
lowed 1t to fall to her side, suddenly
into his eyes.
IT reckon you didn't hear who II
was shot him?" he questioned, with
pronounced drawl.
Nobody knows" she returned. "a
man came here and joined the out
At. 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, 81 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, KNOWN 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-
MED despairingly as she departed.
Five minutes later, when she~was
well on her way over the plains TOWARD
the ranch-house, she heard dun re-
portland then another. She shud-
dered and covered her face with her
hands. Another five minutes passed,
and then, reaching the crest Of a rise.
she looked back. The new Triangu.
lar Bar owner was coming toward her
with long, swinging strides, bearing
har aaddIa An hfa chandler