Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-07
HEARTS, fttheSUNSET

Nne eubo' pul the man stepped forward
and stayed her, then placed a tlncup IN
her hand. She mumbled something in
answer to his greeting and the hoarse.
raven-like croak in her voice startled her
then she drank, with trembling eaRernesa
drenching the front of her dress. Tho
water was warm, but II was clean and
delicious
Easy now Take your time said tha
man. as he reflled the cup. TT won't give
out"
She kneit and wet her face and neck,
the sensation was so grateful that she was
tempted TO fling herself bodily into the pool
The man was still talking, but she took no
heed OF what he said. Then at last she
sank back, her feet curled under her, her
body sagging. her head dropping. She felt
the strangers hands beneath her arms, felt
herself lifted to more comfortable posi-
ton Without asking permission, the
stranger unlaced first one, then the other
OF her dusty boots, seeming not to notice
her weak attempt at resistance. Once he
had placed her bare feet in the water, she
lief.
The man left her seated in a COLLAPSED.
semiconscious state, and went back to his
nre. For some time she was too tired to
DO more than refill the drinking cup occa-
sionally, or to wet her face and arms. but
as her pores drank greedlly her exhaustion
lessened and her vitality returned
IL was dark when for the first time she
turned her head toward the camp fire and
stared curiously at the figure there The
appetizing odor of broiltng bacon had
drawn her attention and as IL no move went
unnotced the man said. without lifting his
eyes;
Let 'em soakl Superb be ready
had any?"
Evidently he expected no reply, for after
chuckle he began to whistle softly In N
peculiarly clear and liquid tone almost
like some bird call. He had spoken with
an unmistakable Texas drawl; the woman
put him down at once for a cowboy. she
settled her back against a boulder and
rested.
The pool had become black and mysteri-
ous' the sky was studded with stars when
ne called her. and she laboriously drew on
her stockings and boots. Well back from
the fire he had arranged a seat for her
using saddle blanket for a covering and
upon this she lowered herself stifdy. AS
she did so she took fuller notice of ths
man, and found his appearance reassur.
| ing.
Il suppose you wonder how happen
| to be here" she said.
Now don't talk til you're rested, miss
This coffee is strong enough to walk on
its hands, and 1Nreckon about two CUPS
| OF it'll rastle you into shape" AS she
raised the tin mug to her lips he waved n
hand and smiled. Drink heartyw He
set plate of bread and bacon in her
lap, then opened glass Jar Of jam. Here's
the dulces. I've got sort of sweet tooth
| In my head. reckon you'll have to make
out with this, cause I rode In too late to
rustic any fresh meat, and the delivery
wagon won't be round before morning." So
saying. he withdrew TO the fire.
The woman ate and drank slowly She
was too tired to be hungry and meanwhile
the young man squatted upon his heels
! and watched her through the smoke from
musk cigarette. 1t was perhaps fortunate
for her peace OF mind that she could not
| correctly interpret his expression for had
she been able to do 30 she would have
realized something of the turmoil into which
her presence had thrown him He was
accustomed to meeting men in unexpected
| places-even in the deserts isolation-but
to have night camp in the chaparral in
Vaded by young and unescorted woman
| to have a foot-sore goddess stumble out
of the dark and collapse into his arms.
was unique experience and. one calculated
to disturb person of his solitary habits
Have you had your supper2" she finally
inquired.
who, me7 oh. I'll eat with the help. Z"
He smiled. and when his flashing teeth
showed white against his leathery tan the
| woman decided he was not at all bad
| looking. He was very tall and quite lean
| with the long legs of a horseman--this lat
| ter feature accentuated by his high-heeIed
| boots and by the short canvas cowboy
| belt His features she could not we'll make
| out. for the fire was little moro than a
bed of Goals. and he fed It, Indian-like with
| a twig or two at a time.
II beg your pardon. I'm selfish" She
| extended her cup and plate as an invitation
for him to share their contents. please
| eat with me-"
But he refused. 'T amt hungry he
affirmed. Honest I"
Accustomed as she was to the difidence
of ranch hands. she refrained from urging
him. and proceeded with her repast. When
she had finished she lay back and watched
him as he ate sparingly.
My horse fell crossing the Arroyo
| Grande," she announced. abruptly. He
broke a leg. and had to shoot him."
rs there any water in the Grandef'
asked the man.
mo. They told me there was plenty.
knew of this charco. so I made for IT."
who told you there was water in the
arroyo7"
Those Mexicans at the little goat ranch. :"
BALI. SO you walked in from Arroyo
Grande. Lord It's good ten miles
straightaway. and I reckon you came
'Yes. And It was very hot was never
here but once, and--the country looks diff
ferent when you're afoot."
TT certainly does" the man nodded. Then
he continued. musingly: mo water there.
/
The fact appeared TO please him, for he
nodded again as he went on with his meal.
mot much rain down here, ! reckon"
Very little Where are you fromr
'Me7 HebbronYille. My name Is Law"
Evidently, thought the woman. this fellow
belonged 20 the East outfit. or some OF the
other big cattle ranches In the Hebbronville
district. Probably he was a range boss
or a foreman. After a time she said. Il
suppose the nearest ranch IL that BALI
placer
''Yes'm."
"Td like to borrow your horse"
MIR. Law stared into his plate We'll.
miss I'm afraid"
She added hastily. '11l send you fresh
one BY Ballis boy IN the morning"
He looked up at her from under the brin
OF HIS hat 'Dyou reckon you could ind
that goat ranch by starlight. miss3"
The woman was silent.
Amt you just about caught up on
travelling. for one day" he asked. Il
| reckon you need a good rest about as
much as anybody I ever saw. You can
have my blanket. you know"
Tho prospect was unwelcome. yet she TO
luctantly agreed. Perhaps Then In the
morning"
Law shook his head. II can't loan you
| ...t.. Tlxra IN Al flEhf IaF0