The Irish standard., 1916-02-26

sllver-mounted rawhide quirt:: His
face was grave, his eyes blue and kind
~. As Gerry looked at him he spoke,
I'm Lieber from up the river"
Gerry started at the familiar Eng
fish and frowned. At the frown the
strangers eyes shifted. II didn't come
down here to bother you," he went on
hastily. One of my men told me
about the green grass and couldn't
keep away. I've got cattle and horses
up my way and they're dying-starv-
ing. l came down to make deal.
I've picked out hundred and twenty
head with blood in 'em-horses and
cattle. If you'll take 'em and feed
'em through to the rains III give you
ten out of the hundred. Some are too
far gone to save, I'm afraid"
Gerry looked at his tiny plantations
which showed up meanly in the great
expanse of waste pasture. I'm sor-
ry," he said, "but I'm afraid can't.
You see, can't afford to fence"
Lieber looked around and nodded:
"That's all right" he said, 1--WE got a
lot of old wire that's no use to me and
lot of loafers to tear it down and
put 1t up. I'll fence as much pasture
as you say and throw in the fencing
on the deal.'
"That's mighty fair" said Gerry:
"1'll take you" He dropped his hoe
wont you come down to the house
and have a bite to eat?" He turned
and Lieber started to follow. by
the way" said Gerry over his Shout
der, you're not German, are you?"
Lieber stopped his horse. His eyes
wavered. NO." he said shortly, I'm
not. I'm an American. After all, l
don't think l ought to waste any time.
Hours tell with starving stock. I'll
just get back in a hurry, If you don't
mind. My men and the wire will be
here just that much sooner"
Gerry frowned again but this time
at himself. He felt that he had
stepped on another mans corns while
defending his own. "All right, MIR.
Lieber," lie said. "The sooner the
better. I'll do all l can to help"
The next morning the men came ac-
companied by Oxcarts loaded with
fencing, posts and all. Liebcr was
with them. He sat his horse through
the hot hours and drove his men stead
lily. Gerry threw himself into the work
as foreman. The fence grew with
amazing rapidity. From the bridge
they carried 1t in a straight line past
the house to the river 1t cut Off a
vast triangle whose two other sides
were held by the ditch and tie river.
by night the work was almost done.
Gerry was tired and happy, but he
sighed. How many weeks Of toll
would not he and Bonifacio have had
to put in to accomplish that fence!
Lieber stayed the night with them
and Gerry studied and initiated the
older mans impersonality. Liebsr
kept his, eyes on his plate or in the
vague distance while the women at
tended them and as soon as the bust
ness Of eating was over he retired to
the room that had been allotted to
him.
he was up early in the morning ana
away to meet the coming herd. First
came the horses, neighing and quick
ening their weak trot Mt the smell OF
grass. Far away and like a distorted
echo sounded the lowing of the slower
cattle. The little herd Of Fazcnda
Flores caught the moaning cry and
lifted lazy heads. One or two lowed
back.
The horses were rounded UP at the
bridge to await the cattle. They
stretched thin necks toward the call.
ing grass and moved restlessly about
with quick turns of eager heads and
low impatient whinnies. Licbcr sat his
Stabilized stallion stolidly, but his eyes