Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-05-13
T HE
Bad Man
Did He Deserve
the Namep
BY cLARISSA MACkIE

| de EOut puol puhShSh P'e>S 80 -
cloud of dust from the sun baked prai'
rie. Nan Fancher. standing In the
shade of the wide yeranda, met his
fierce, dark glance with frightened.
tImid eyes. and instantly the savage
fire died out of his eyes and was re
placed by wonderful softness.
THE bad mani" shrilled little Peter
Fancher from his post near the gate.
Hush. Peter" admonished bis aunt
severely. You mustn't say such
naughty things
But he Is bad" whimpered Peter as
the horse and rider disappeared in the
dust. HE lives all alone In a little
hut over near the big mountain. and ne
bites little boys. Manuel has told me-
Nan related the incident to her broth.
er and his wife mt the MONDAY dinner
"Who Is the man? He has an interest
Ing face" she added.
"It's Gay Ransom: that's all we know
about him. He's a sheep herder for
Bleck beyond the mountain. The boys
give him bad reputation. and his ap
pearance certainly bears them out"
Mrs. Fnncher sent the Chinese cook
into the kitchen on some errand ana
spoke In low tone. Loo Sing has
told me that he lost fifteen chickens
last night. Dick. and he Is positive that
Ransom is responsible for their disap
pearance."
"Anne. dear" expostulated Nan. that
man didn't look like a chicken thief.
somehow"
Hes a terror OF the plains. such ns
| used to read about In the nickel nov
els hidden away in the garret years
ago." Dick arose from the table and
passed large bronzed hand over his
sisters sunny hair. Its mighty nice
to see you out here. Nan. | wish you'd
shake that old school in the east and
settle down here in Texas"
I'D love to. Dick. now that there
are Just the two of us left" said Nan
little sadly Perhaps ! may buy
the next ranch to yours and become
your neiChbor."
THE next ranch is In the next coun-
IT," grinned Dick teasingly. You
wouldn't he II very near neighbor In
that c:,se There's plenty OF room for
you here for long time to come" and
Anne added such an urgent plea that
Nan was sorey tempted to extend her
summer vacation into permanent
stay.
~ believe I'll ride over to the herd
er's hut and see II find any chicken
bones." remarked Dick rs he left the
room Good time to investigate while
the chaps away. Want to come
NanY'
"Yps." said the girl soberIy. for the
errand was not exactly to her liking
She would have preferred that her hrsi
ride across the brown prnirie had
more agreeable object than the ferret
Ing out OF chicken thief. but she
said nothing as she tossed on wide
gray felt hat and drew OH soft leather
gauntlets over her white hands.
AS they rode along enveloped in the
dust raised by their own progress Dick
Fancher gave his sister brief sketches
Of the neighboring ranches and their
owners.
And. last OF all. there's Bleck's place
over the mountain. Bleck Is an east
erner with notions who came out here
a year ago. bought the ranch. placed
foreman I'm charge and then went
home to raise sheep from the office
Of New York skyscraper."
"And this Gay Ransom Is one OF his
hprders?" asked Nan.
Yes: dropped on the country one
day from nobody knows where, with
a ready made reputation which was
cbinned far and wide by Blecks fore
man. Peterson He says Ransom is a
fire eater shoots first and argues
afterward."
How dreadfulw murmured Nan.
"And to think he would steal chickens
toOr'
"See any feathersY' asked Dick as
they approached the door of the hut.
Mary" sang Nan In the vernacular.
Dick rode close to the hut. suddenly
swooped from his saddle and picked up
the limp and yellow foot Of chicken.
mot so far wrong there. my girl"
he said to bis sister. dangling the foot
before hcr averted face.
The door Of the hut opened suddenly
and the bad man stood before them
He plucked or his hat and held It In
his hand. revealing white forehead
between the thatch Of his unkempt
dark hair and the tan Of his face
"Howdy!" he said amiably. ''WilI
you come inn"
mo. thanks" drawled Dick. with all
the Insulting emphasis he could sum.
mon. "rm Just collecting chicken feet:
that's all I've found two familiar ones
right here Maybe the rest OF 'em are
still holding up the chickens. eh7"
"If It's a Joke I've missed It," said
the other quietly. why are you look
Ing for chickens around here? This
isn't chicken ranch"
"See here. Ransom. joking aside"
said Dick. with an entire change OF
manner. "I've found pair Of my feet
my chickens feet. I mean here In
your yard How the dickens did they
come there" He dangled the feet IN
pleasant close to Gay Ransom's face
"rm not surprised they came from
your place." said Ransom slowly. "be-
cause. you see. bought them from
around somewhere. ! wa> ,rint!ng On
having him for my dinner. hut don't
receive stolen goods. Of "ourse. want
to TAX. him homer
"If you've paid for him he's yours.
Of co,Irse." said Dick In disbelieving
tone. for which Nan could have shaken
him. in take the matter up with
Loo Sing"
stop awhile. you and the lady. and
I'll give you a broiled chicken dinner.
I'm aiming to cook him right away"
Mot today. thank you.' said Dick.
with scant courtesy. and the bad man
flushed under his tan at the implied
insult. Nan looked down at him and
met bis embarrassed glance. She smil.
ed reassuringly into bis startled eyes,
and there came q surprised look Into
her own. As she rode away she looked
back more than once at the lone figure
standing In the sheep herder's hut, and