Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-25
CHAPTER XIV
THE RODEO

THE RoDEo
| TT WAS with feeling OF some reluctance
| i that Dave drove up to Las Palmas short
| iy after the lunch hour for he had no
desire to meet Young Ed" However, to
| his relief Austin did not appear, and
| inasmuch as Alaire did not refer to her
husband in any way, Dave decided that he
must be absent, perhaps on one OF his
notorious sprees.
The mistress OF the big ranch was in her
harness. having at once assumed her
neglected duties She came to welcome
/ her caller in n short khaki riding suit
her feet were encased in ran boots; she
wore a mannish felt hat and gauntlet
| gloves, showing that she had spent the
morning in the saddle Dave thought she
| looked exceedingly capable and business
| like, and not less beautiful In these
clothes he feasted his eyes covertly upon
her
| IL expected you for luncheon" she
smiled and Dave could have kicked him
| self I'm Just going out now. II you're
not in too great n hurry to go home you
may go with me-"
THAT would be fine" he agreed.
Come, then. l have a horse, for you"
| As she led the way back toward the farm
buildings she explained: I'm selling on
bunch Of cattle. Benito Is rounding them
up and cutting out the best ones"
| You keep them, reckon"
| Always That's how improve the
grade You will see splendid herd Of
| animals, Mr.. Law-the best In South Texas.
| 1 suppose you're interested in such things
"Id rather watch a good herd of stock
| than the best show in New York." he told
her
When they came to the corrals, an in
| tricate series of pens and chutes at the
| rear of the outbuildlngs, Law beheld two
thoroughbred horses standing at the hitch
ing rail-
'T'm proud OF my horses too" said
| Alaire.
| alight Dave examined the fine points OF
| both animals. He ran n caressing hand
over them and they recognized in him a
| friend
''These beauties were raised on Kentucky
blue grass. Brother and sister. aren't
| they?"
"Yes. Montrose and Montrosa are their
| names. The horse is mine, the mare is
| yours" Seeing that Dave did not com
| prehend the full import Of her words, she
added: "Yours to keep, I mean. You must
make another Bessie Belle out of her."
Mine? oh-ma'amr' Law turned his
| eyes from Alaire 20 the mare, then back
again You're too kind. l can't take her."
"You must"
Dave made as II 10 say something, but
was too deeply embarrassed Unable TO
tear himself away from the mares side,
he continued to stroke her shining coat
/ while she turned an intelligent face to him,
showing a solitary white star In the center
| of her forehead.
see! She is nearly the same color as
| Bessie Belle"
'Yesml II want her, ma'am I'm Just
sick from wanting her but-won't you let
| me buy her?"
"oh, wouldn't sell her" Then. as
Dave continued to yearn over the animal,
like a small boy tempted beyond his
| strength, Alaire laughed. 'I owe you some
thing, Mr.. Law and horse more or less
| means very little TO me-"
He yielded; he could not possibly con-
tinue his resistance and In his happy face
/ Alaire took her reward
| The mare meanwhile was doubtfully
| nosing her new master. deciding whether
| or not she liked him but when he offered
her n cube of sugar her uncertainties dis
| appeared and they became friends then and
there. He talked TO her too In way
/ that would have won any female heart,
and II was plain 10 any one who knew
| horses that she began to consider him
| wholly delightful Now, Montrosa was a
| sad coquette, but this man seemed TO say,
Rosa, you rogue, II you try your airs
| with me / will outnirt you" Who could
| resist such a person? Why the touch OF
his hands was positively thrilling. He was
gentle but masterful, and-he had a deli
| cious smell Rosa felt that she understood
him perfectly, and was enraptured TO dis
| cover that he understood her. There was
some satisfaction In knowing such a man.
"You do speak their language" Alaire
| said after she had watched them for a
few minutes. "You have bewitched the
creature" Dave nodded silently. and his
face was young. Then half to herself the
woman murmured ''Yes, you have heart"
II beg pardon2"
Nothing. I'm glad you like her"
"Do you mind II call her something
else than Rosa, just 20 myself?'
''why. she's yoursl Don't you like the
manner"
"oh, yesI But-seep" Dave laid a finger
upon Montrosa's forehead. "She wears a
lone star. and I'd like TO call her that-The
Lone Star"
Aiaire smiled in tacIt consent then when
the two friends had completely established
their intimacy she mounted her own horse
and led the way 20 the roundup.
Dawes unbounded delight filled the mis-
tress OF Las Palmas with the keenest pleas
ure He laughed. he hummed snatches OF
songs, he kept up a chatter addressed as
much to the mare TO his companion, and
| under Il Montrosa romped like a tomboy.
II was gratifying to meet with such ap-
preclation as this Alaire felt warm and
friendly 20 the whole world, and decided
that out OF her abundance she must dc
more for other people.
OF course Dave had 70 tell OF Don Ricardo'f
thoughtful gift, and concluded by saying
II think this must be my birthday. al
| fhough N dOennif nt In with the Caiendar"