The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-03-08

been working on II this summer
believe"
"uh huh we're over there
this morning Them YG cattle ~
above his place are his. I reckon
Yes" said billy Louise. Hes
been putting his wages Into cattle
for year or NO. lie worked Tor
Judkins last winter. WHY
"Oh, nothing. l guess Only
he's the only stranger In the coun'
try. and his prosperity Amt he'
counted for"
"Oh. but II isl" laughed billy
Louise. 4 only wish had hair
as clear a ticket. When he Isn't
working out. he's woifing; and ev.
cry dollar he gets hold OF he puts
in that ranch. We've known him
a long time"
We'll. OF course. II you know
he's all straight. that settles H.
You run stock in here. too. 90 you
Miss Macdonald
The big Ds," answered Billy
Louise and smiled family. I've
been range-herding them back here
In these foothills this summer DO
you want TO look thru the buneh1
"Oh. no. not at ALL ! was won
dering n you had lost any"
Nobody would rustic cattle
from lady. hope7 at any rate.
! haven't missed any yet. The
folks down In the Cove have. tho.
Yea, heard they had. That
breed rode over 20 see II he could
get limo on them. It's hard luck,
that Charlie Fox seems Tine,
hard-working boy. don't yon
think -
''Yes.." said Blliy Louise shyiy.
''he seems real nice" She looked
away and bit her lip holf'councpus-
~ as she spoke.
The two men swallowed tho bait
like a hungry fish. They glanced
at each other and winked know
ingiy. Billy Louise saw them
from the tail OF her downcast eye.
and permitted herself a little sigh
OF relief. They would be tho more
ready now TO accept at It's face
value her statement concerning
Ward unless they credited her
with the feat of being In love with
the two men at the same time.
Well. I'm sorry Charles Fox has
been tapped OFT too. Hes
mighty fine chap" declared Floyd
with trhr spsrent heartineaH.
Eyes, I must be going" said the
young woman self.conAeiously. and
loped off up the ridge.
Bark up that tree for a while.
you iwo," she said. with a twist
OF her lips. when abe was well
away from them. "Yon-yon darn
ed IDIOTS. To 70 prowling around
Wards place. Just as f--WardIl
take a shot at them n he catches
them nostng thru his stock"
Tier satisfaction lasted while she
rode TO the next ridge. Then the
little devils OF doubt came a
nwarming ard a-~hispering.
She turned. upon the crest OF the
ridge. and looked away toward the
pinctostsd height beyond which
Wards claim lay snugxied out OF
sight in its little valley. I've a.
good mind 10 ride over there right
now. anu WAko AsiH h04s A&Ss t11
said TO herself. IF he ceres--iiks
be- says be cares--he'll tell me- shc
murmured. = don't believe it's
wolves. And Of course I, isn't
what those fellows seemed 10 think.
But--where did he kct the money
for all thaiT''
She headed Blue down the slope
as straight aa abe could go.
There was no trail that way,
and the ridges were steep and the
canyons circnitous. But Blue was
a good horse. he carried his lady
safely. and he carried her willingly.
He splashcd both front feet into
the creek Just before the cabin and
stopped to drink while Billy Louise
stared NJ the silent place.
BY the tracks along the creek
she knew that Ward had come
home. and she urged Blue across
the ford and up the bank TO the
cabin. She aid off and went In
boldly TO hide her inward embar-
rassmens--and she found nothing
but emptiness there.
She waited for an hour or two.
sitting In the doorway. trying TO
read magazine. Then shc re-
saddied Blue and rode away. more
depressed than ever.