The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-04-21

from his waistcoat pocket. ARE
plannin' to go out to the ranch and
spend a couple Of weeks. and We
thought 1t I'D he good chance for
you to 40 along and see somethin' OF
the country. No better scenery this
side OF Colorado than right there at
the l.. X. ranchhouse on the Es-
meraldas. How'd you lika it?'
Miss Spiser stared at her brother.
while Fritz Poth. fiicking flies from
the window Of the hotel office where
Nan received her callers. gave him
a mocking, sidelong glance which
might have dampened the enthusi-
asm with which Nan accepted the
invitation had she seen II.
How very, very nice OF you. Miss
Spiser," she CRIED at once, all eager
ness. as she turned to that still dunn
founded lady who. within her mem-
ory, had not been asked to join her
bro her ON any jauntNfor pleasure.
lived like II v-very much IL you
will come she stammered. having
been given her cue in a warning
glance from his eyes.
IL know OF no. reason why | can
not" declared Nan. her eyes spark
ling. i've rather exhausted the
rides about here and have read all
the books and magazines MIR. Poth
can borrow for me, so the prospect
has looked a little dull. The one
promise mother exacted from me was
that I would not go prowling about
the county unchaperoned. and this
quite solves the problem. doesn't it,"
Hank" Spisers heavy lids dropped
in cynical amusement. They always
had some romantic tale OF strict and
wealthy parents, convent educations.
and that sort OF thing. He had heard
kA h.,n hafnreN
ifsthis was a part OF her game he had
to play up to II. so he agreed heartily.
1T would seem to-" he smiled. And
continued maKnanimously: There's
n corral fulrof horses TO ride. plenty
of fresh beef. milk and eggs. and
when I'm not there some OF the cow
punchers will see that you are kept
in hrewood and anything else you
may need" \
"You are too kind" Nan was like
child in her glowing, unaffected
animation. This IL the real West =
-rn hospitality OF which I've heard.
I'm 80 glad its not a myth as ara
80 many delightful things when one
comes To learn the truth about
them
Fritz Poth gave Spiser satirical
look. Spiser moved uneasily In his
chair. but waved his hand dcpre-
catingiy and declared;
"Oh, that's nothin' nothin' at all.
Don't mestion 1t again
When shall we go?" Nan asked
tho question of Miss Spiser, but her
brother answered Nr her
You can pull your freight to-mor-
row II it's agreeable to you"
Perfectly, II II suits your sister
Miss Spiser assented doubtfully.
''I'll aapd "a IVA pDn for NOur trunk \
and drive YOU two out myself, Eth,
Sis?"
Miss Spiser did not seem particu-
larry responsive to his brother jocu-
iarty, though she nodded.
Tomorrow mornin'. then-at tenn
I'm be ready-you may count on
that" Nan laughed joyously and the
warm, glowing radiance of her face
seemed to dazzle Spiser anew.
Isn't that lovely of Mr. Spiser and
his sister, Nan demanded. her voice
bubbllng with delight.
Mr.. Poth was cycling the formers
vanishing back with an expression
not too friendly.
"l.uNely," he responded dryly
Nan looked at him in surprise
Don't the grub salt you her"
ma'am?" he inquired with quee'
awkwardness OF manner, And ad
ded enticingly: i've been thinkin
!, of scndin' back East and glttin' me I
! Kit OF mackerel."
! That was It., then the prospect o
losing a boaI1er was the cause OF thu
r genial landlords lack Of enthusiasm
over the proposed visit She hastene'
. to assure him
= II haven't a single complaint. Yol
\ are all too Kind. It's only that
want TO see real ranch-a big on
= like the l., X and this seems I'M
. such an opportunity"
Z Mr.. Poth said nothing further. bu
the sour expression OF his face di,
not alter. and Nan felt sorry to hav
;. discovered In her amiable landlor'
). this sordid trait.
A Mexican teams.er. Rru'nb!!ng a
0 being obliged TO rush of at onl,
, twelve or fourteen hours notice. ar
rived Mt eleven for Mans trunk. ]
r few minutes later Spiser himself rat
: tied up In his cart.
"SOrry I'm latA." ha aSnlaluAd Il