The Benson signal., 1917-08-11
"She amt really fit to ride a STEP"

commence. "BuC Sno s Deen going up
two or three times now to get some
medicine from Doc Torpy-that's the
way of it. There's a nice girl, sir
in a bunch O. ruffians, know-thOugh
old Duke, she lives with, he amt a
half-bad man except for too many
cards. l used to work for him-but
l call her nice girl. Do you happen
to know her?"
De Spain had long been on guard.
''I've spoken with ner In a business
way once or twice. I can't really say
know her. Anything sick, Jim?"
asked De Spain, walking on down the
barn and looking at the horses. It was
only the second time since he had
given him the Job that De Spain had
called the barn boss "Jim," and Nc
Alpin answered with the rising assur-
ance Of one who realizes he is Gin"
right. "Not so much as sore hoof in
either alley, Mr.. De Spain. I try to
take care of them, SIR"
"What are we paying you, Jimr'
"Twenty-seven week, sir; pretty
heavy work at that"
"We'l try to make it thirty-two after
this week."
McAlpin touched his cap. ''Thank
you kindly, sir, I'm sure. 1t comes
high to live out here, Mr.. de Spain"
"What did you say" asked De Spain
indifferently, "had been the matter with
Nan MorganY Her name seemed a
whole mouthful to speak, so fearful
was he of betraying interest.
"Why, really didn't say, sir. And
I don't know. But from what she says,
and the way she coughs, I'm thinking
it was touch of this p-new-monia
| that's going around so much lately,
sir"
His listener had already made all
arrangements to meet the occasion now
presenting itself. Circumstances
| seemed at last to favor him, and he
looked at his watch. The down stage
bringing Nan back would be due in
| less than an hour.
"Jim," he said thoughtfully, "you
are doing the right thing in showing
some goodwill toward the Morgans."
"Now, I'm glad you think that, sir"
"You know I unintentionally rubbed
their backs the wrong way in dragging
| SasSoOn out"
They're jealous Of their power,
know-very jealous
"This seems the chance to show that
I have no real animosity myself toward
the outfit"
Since De Spain was not looking at
him, McAlpin cooked two keen and
curious eyes on the sphinxlike birth
mark Of the very amiable speakers
face. However, the astute boss, if he
wondered, made no comment. "When
the. stage comes in," continued De
Spain quietly, "have the two grays-
Lady and Ben-hitched to my own
light wagon. I'll drive her over to the
gap myself"
''The very thing" exclaimed Meal
pin, staring and struggling with his
| breath.
"In some way I've happened, both
times talked with her, to get in
ong-understand?" McAlpin, with
clearing wits, nodded more than once.
I"NO fault Of mine; it just happened
so. And she may not at first take
kindly to the idea of going with me-"
II see."
be tired-it's long, dusty ride for
we'll woman, let alone one that has
been ILL.,"
$50 it is, so it is"
De Spain looked now shamelessly at
his ready-witted aid. "See that her
pony is lame when she gets here
can't be ridden. But you'll take good
care of him and send him home in
few days-get it?"
McAlpin half closed his eyes. "He1l
be so lame it would stagger a cowboy
to back him ten feet-and never be
hurt mite, neither. Trust mel"
"If she insists on riding something,
or even walking home," continued De
Spain obviously, for he felt instinc-
lively that he should have the task Of
his life to induce Nan to accept any
kind of peace-offering, 'Ill ride or
walk with her anyway. Can you sleep
me here tonight, on the hay?"
"Sleep you on a hair mattress, sir.
You've got room right here upstairs;
didn't you know that?"
With arrangements so begun, De
Spain walked out of doors and looked
retlectively up the Sleepy Cat road.
One further refinement in his appeal
for Mans favor suggested itself. She
would be hungry, possibly faint in the
heat and dust, when she arrived. He
returned to McAlpin: "Where can l
get a good cup Of coffee when the
stage comes in?"
''Go right down to the inn, sir. It's
new chap running it-a half-witted
man from Texas. My wife Is cooking
there off and on. She'll fix you up a
sandwich and cup Of good coffee"
It was four o'clock, and the sun beat