The state herald., 1917-08-31

sou. AS sHe leu tie Wuy DUCK tOWuru
the farm buildings, she explained
I'm selling Off bunch Of cattle, Be.
nito Is rounding them up and cutting
out the best ones"
"You keep them, I reckon.
always. That's how I improve the
grade. You will see splendid herd
Of animals, Mr.. Law-the best in
south Texas. suppose you're inter.
ested In such things"
I'D rather watch good herd of
stock than the best show In New
York." he told her.
When they came to the corrals, an
intricate series Of pens and chutes at
the rear of the outbuildlngs, Law be-
held two thoroughbred horses standing
at the hitching rail.
"Tm proud of my horses, too" said
Alaire.
You have reason to be-" With his
eyes alight, Dave examined the fine
points of both animals. He ran ca
ressing hand over them, and they rec
ognlzed In him friend.
"These beauties were raised on
Kentucky bluegrass. Brother and sis
ter, aren't theyr
"Yes. Montrose and Montrosa are
their names. The horse is mine, the
mare is yours" Seeing that Dave did
not comprehend the full import of her
words, she added: yours to keep, I
mean. You must make another Bessie
Belle out of her."
milne? Oh-ma'amw Law turned
his eyes from Alaire to the mare, then
back again. you're too kind. / can't
take her"
you must"
Dave made as II to say something,
but was too deeply embarrassed. I'm.
able to tear himself away from the
mares side, he continued to stroke her
shining coat while she turned an intel
ligent face to him. showing n solitary
white star in the center of her fore
head.
"See! She is nearly the same color
as Bessie Belle"
"Yes'm! IL want her. ma'am; I'm
just sick from wanting her, but-won't
you let me buy herr"
"Oh. wouldn't sell her." Then, ms
Dave continued to yearn over the anil
NAL. like small boy tempted beyond
his strength. Alalre laughed. II owe
you something. Mr.. Law, and n horse
more or less means very little to me-"
He yielded; he could not possibly
continue his resistance, and In his
happy face Alnire took her reward.
The mare meanwhile was doubtfully
nosing her new master, deciding
whether or not she liked him; but
when he offered her cube OF sugar,
her uncertainties disappeared. and
they became friends then and there.
He talked to her, too. In n way that
would have won any female heart, and
II was plain to anyone who knew
horses that she began to consider him
wholly delightful.
"You do speak their language"
Alnlre said, after she had watched
them for few minutes. "You have
bewitched the creature" Dave nod.
ded silently. and his face was young.
Then, half to herself. the woman mur.
INJURED, "Yes. you have heart"
II beg pardoni''
"Nothing. I'm glad you like her"
DO you mind II call her something
else thnn Rosa, Just to myself7'
"Why, she's yours! Don't you like
the nnmef"
"oh. yes! But-see!" Dave Ind n
finger upon Montrosa's forehead. "She
wears lone star, and I'd like to call
her that-Thc Lone Star"
Alairc smiled In tncit assent; then
when the two friends had completely
established their intimacy. she mount.
cd her own horse and led the way to
the roundup.
Dawes unboundcd delight filed the
mistress OF Lns Palmas with the keen.
est pleasure. He laughed. he hummed
snntchcs OF songs, he kept up n chat.
ter addressed as much to the mare ms
to his companion, and under It Mont.
rosa romped like tomboy. II was
gratifying TO meet with such npprecin.
tion ms this: Alnirc felt warm and
friendly 10 the whole world. md de-
clded that out OF her abundance she
must do more for other people.
or course Dave Ind TO tell Of Don
Iacnrdo's thoughtful Gift. and conclud.
ed by snylng. II think this must be
my blrthdhS. although II doesn't NJ In
with the calendar"
Don Ricardo hns his enemies. but
hc In n good.hcnrtcd old mnn."
"fcs." Dave ngrccd Then, more
grnvcly, "rm sorry Let him go across
the river" There wns pause. 'If
anybody harms him. reckon III hive
feud ON my hands, for I'm grateful
person"
~ believe II. cnn scc TINT you are
loyal