The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-09
DRESS AND DEEDS
BY ELSA GRlMSHAW.

The Waylands were at breakfast
when Reddy Peters brought in the
mail. The big bronzed cowpuncher
handed the bag to Mr.. Wayland'
flashed an appreciative glance at
pretty Rose, who was visiting the
ranch, and then tramped away.
Letter for you, Rose" said Uncle
Dick, tossing a missive to his niece.
Looks as II it might be from that
New York dude you're going to mar
ry."
Don't tease the child, Dick" pro-
tested Aunt Susan, with a glance at
Roses blushing face. I'm sure MI
Dixon is charming, and l am anxious
to meet him. I'm tired of the very
sight of sombreros and spurred boots.
I'd like to see a man dressed in civil
lized clothing once more!"
"Hear-hear!" gibed Uncle Dick,
jingling his own spurred heels. Keep
your young man away from the Red
Bar outfit, my dear, or your Aunt
Susan will monopolize him"
Rose looked up. "She shall have a
chance, very soon," she said slowly.
Burton writes that he will be here
Thursday"
That's tomorrow" cried Aunt
Susan arising in a flutter. II will
have Ching Ling clean the spare
room at once and, Dick, do have Bob
wash the blackboard and mend the
russell harness. It's disgrace!" She
hustled out of the room and Rose,
slowly folding her letter, was con-
scious of the half-humorous scrutiny
of her uncle.
you don't seem overjoyed at the
prospect of meeting your sweetheart,
said Uncle Dick.
why, Uncle Dick, am; only
only-somehow, after being out here
in the open, where the men are so
big in every respect, big-minded and
warm-hearted, it does seem as though
Burton appeared a pygmy by compari-
son."
tut! Tut chided the rancher
seriously You mustn't let romantic
ideas of the West run away with your
common sense. These cowpunchers
are all right. my dear. They average
up like other men-they are no
worse. For my part, I'm stated with
the lonesomeness of the plains. I'm
looking forward to meeting a cult
waited man who can talk something
save cattle and the weather." He
patted her shoulder as he passed out.
Rose walked out to the veranda.
Reddy Peters. gallant form astride
a huge sorrel horse, was dashing out
through the gates. Her eyes followed
him until he disappeared over a rise
of ground.
What would all these laughing, care
free cowpunchers say to the immacu-
late Mr.. Dixon of New York?
She wished desperately that some
thing would prevent Burton from
coming She dreaded the ordeal of
his visit He shrank by comparison
with these sons of the plains. II she
had come here first, she told herself,
she should not now be engaged to
Dixon.
"One more day Of freedom" she
told herself as she mounted her buck
skin pony and. quite regardless of
uncovered head and ungloved hands,
rode out of the yard and away over
the free hills.
Wont Burton be shocked when he
sees my tanned skim" she laughed
once when she paused breathlessly to
rest in the scant shade of a wind
distorted cottonwood tree. 81 am of
the very 'tomboy' type he abhors!"
The next day Reddy Peters was
delegated to drive over to the station
for Mr.. Dixon. Somehow the news
had got about that the expected guest
was the fance of their employers
niece, and his coming was awaited
with interest by the dozen men in the
Red Bar outfit.
II expect he's some lily-fngered
Willie boy" sneered Chappie Dill,
scornfully.
I'VE might teach him that East
can't never be West, no matter how
hard you try" suggested Liscum,
who read Kipling, although he had
never been to school in his adven-
turous life
Il expect the boss wouldn't thank
anybody for making fool Of his
guest" snapped Abel Gray. the vet
eran Of the ranch.
81 reckon Burtie boy can make a
fool out of himself all right without
any help" sulked Chappie. I'm going
to lend him Black Satan to ride"
you better 60 moseying for an
other job right soon," muttered Abel
Chappie laughed scornfully and
loped toward the corral
Abel turned to the mere serious
Liscum. Better keep your hands of
him, Lis" he warned
Liscum yawned and made no reply
At the last moment Rose decided to
accompany Reddy Peters and, mount.
ing Buckskin, she rode beside the
wagon as it rumbled over the dusty
trail to Pinto station
Out of the corners of her violet ewes
she caught glimpses of Reddy's huge
form slouched over on the seat of the
blackboard and she decided that he
made better appearance in the sad
die
The train from the East came thun-
dering into Pinto station and thun.