The evening world., 1914-04-24


hat he waS OF for the Longhorn
bosqus to Join Ben Evans and ride
tAs range with him in that vicinity.
'0ood!" Bob exclaimed in mock de-
light. I'm moro than repaid for any
siight-sr-well-incon may
suasr under the hospitable roof Of
my friend Riley. Perhaps you don't
know that Riley and aim to wash
Tomorrow II We can md out who
borrowed his wash-board."
Nan laughed immediately. She
suspected that In private Bob made
WY faceS over the salt pork and sour.
dough bread which was Riley's daily
fare. but in public Bob spoke Of
Rtlsy's domestic accomplishments with
IN enthusiasm 70 nearly genuine that
Il deceived all save Nan.
But she liked him for II. The good
nature with which he adapted himself
! Ia the people and surroundings 30
utterly foreign to his own was a con-
slant surprise to her. She was still
Laughing as Bob rode away. but there
was approval In her dancing eyes.
- He sighed and his face set In lines
Of grimness as he lifted his horse to a
gsiiop. He was her comrade. q good
'chuni. that was all.
:, The suggestion that he should ride
tho range that afternoon with Ben
Evans WAS his own. Ben merely had
.aeuuies. cd with as much cordially as
he 20 I'D summon.
i" tnaccustomed as he was to conceal
ing his moods and his feelings, the
best he could give Bob was grudging
,,y,i,ty. He realized with sullen and
awkward resentment that this agree
able stranger, always 30 courteous and
at his ease. was cast In dinerent mold
from himself.
He used word. which ben had
never heard; he was familiar with
eubiects that were vague az dreams
in the cowboys mind, and they. Nan
and this stranger. had much In COM
mon while he was an outsider.
He was irritable from a smoldering
jealousy when he saw them together.
but never for a moment self dspar.
asfns. Unlike Bob, he never thought
al hiS shortcomings with humility. be-
cause he did not see that he had any.
Bob's wider knowledge made Ben
pe1ulant, but never envious or re-
Sretful that he lacked It. He re-
Sarded It a. supernuous and unim-
portant save for the single reason
that thereby he claimed . larger snare
Of Mans conversation.
And Bob bore Bens surly manner
Nth patience for Nan's sake. ana
because he wished to learn exactly
that manner Of man he was to whom
Nan might have given what was 70
him the most precious thing In inc
won't you light and rest yoah
hatY" inquired Mrs. Blakely anably.
a Bob rode up to the stockade where
!, he and Rem had arranged to meet.
k"Ciytie. run open the gate for 'ne
Regina. run open the gate for the
'vG0nnelman."
"Luna"--
!, Ben rose from tho los at the wood
& me where he had been sitting with
Gdith and united his horse.
"I'ii keep an eye skinned TOT your
I. cattle, Edie. but I reckon It's not
: much use. They're . long way from
this range by now"
, sCome again soon, won't you'
Benz" Hsr voice was plaintivs with
Its note OF entreaty.
when ! can"
"She doesn't look very happy" Bob
commented as they rode away.
They're iosin' lots OF stock" Ben
added: "Edie's a good girl"
When they were out OF hearing MRS
Blakely, with a display OF energy so
/. rave 40 TO startle. took Miss Ciytls
Biakely by each shoulder and SHOOK
her with vigor which threatened 10
.dislocate her neck.
"why lidn't you do as ! tole you
and open that gate?"
"Wha' for7"
'"Wha' for? Wha' for! Amt the
stars and the kyards, and the bumps
on yoah haid. and yoah pam all
said you was goin' to have chanst
to ketch a rich husband? And now
you lot him slip hrough yoah fingers
and you goin' on sixteen and ready
10 come OUT"
"I.cmme be-" howled the debutante'
"He never looked at me-"
"Never took his eyes otY'n you"
f. Which assertion was quite true. az.
through gap In the stockade BOD
Z had watched. with fascinated eyes
the endeavors Of the hope OF the
Blakely family to cxpectorate
through the space between her front
teeth.
LET her alone. mother" said
Edith impatiently. haven't ! told
you he's In love with Nan"
sNrs. Blakcly reached for her gum
under the lamp shelf and chewed In
an abandonment OF despair.
~ the whole worr In love with
m. >'an?" she asked sarcasticaliy.
II c, 1T see nothin' to her my
self"
3 Edith made no answer. and she
demanded:
r "Have you used that charm Did
You sprinkle him YETI"
ave had no good chance"
"You'li get him." Hope never died
In Mrs. Blakelys sanHuine bosom,
and abe now shook n prophetic niger.
: "HeIl be back here inside of two
) navs when that charm gets workin'."
az hope you're right. mother
Ddith replied wistfully.
k7vsrai miles from the Longhorn
booaue Ben drew rein and looked
LONG and intently at horseman In
Npursuit Of COW ana . calf.
'.Thst amt Blaksly." he said fin