Mexico Missouri message., 1917-03-15
"she amt really fit to ride a STEP"

commence. 'buL she , Deeu BOluB up
two or three times now to get some
medicine from Doc Torpy-that's the
way Of II. There's nice girl, sir
in 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
1 call her n nice girl. Do you happen
to know herr"
De Spain had long been on guard.
1--WE spoken with her In a business
way once or twice. 1 can't really say
know her. Anything sick, Jim?"
asked De Spain, walking on down the
barn and looking at the horses. 1t was
only the second time since he had
given him the job that De Spain had
called the barn boss "Jim," and Nc
Alpln answered with the rising assur-
ance of one who realizes he is "in"
right. "NOt so much as q sore hoof in
either alley, Mr.. De Spain. try to
take care of them, SIR"
"What are we paying you, JimT
"Twenty-seven n week, sir; pretty
heavy work at that"
we IL ny " LhuhS IL Ihllly-lNO ullSI
this week."
McAlpln 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 Morgan?" Her name seemed n
whole mouthful to speak, so fearful
was he of betraylng interest.
"Why, really didn't say, sir. And
1 don't know. But from what she says,
and the way she coughs, I'm thinking
it was a 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 1 Internationally 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.
an some way I've happened, both
times I talked with her, to get in
wrong-understand?" McAlpin, with
clearing wits, nodded more than once.
mo fault of mine; it just happened
so. And she may not at first take
kindly to the idea of going with me-"
81 see."
But she ought to do 1t. She will
be tired-it's long, dusty ride for q
well woman, let alone one that has
been ILL.,"
$50 it is, so 1t isl"
: De Spain looked now shamelessly al
his ready-wltted aid. "See that heI
pony is lame when she gets here
can't be ridden. But you'll take good
care of him and send him home in
a few days-get it?"
McAlpin half closed his eyes. "Hel
be so lame it would stagger a cowboy
to back him ten feet-and never BIZ
hurt mite, neither. Trust mel"
IF she insists on riding something
or even walking home" continued Dc
Spain obviously, for he felt instlnc
lively that he should have the task Of
his life to induce Nan to accept any
kind Of a peace-offering, "Pll ride OF
4 walk with her anyway. Can you sleeI
me here tonight, on the hayT"
"Sleep you on q hair mattress, sir
i you've got room right here upstairs
4 didn't you know that?"~
With arrangements so begun, d,
Spain walked out of doors and LOOKED
refiectively up the Sleepy Cat road
| One further refinement IN his appea
for Mans favor suggested itself. Sh
| would be hungry, possibly faint in tn
heat and dust, when she arrived. III
returned to McAlpin: "Where can
get a good cup of coffee when tn
stage comes INF"
| go right down to the inn, sir. It.
} new chap running it-a half-witte
man from Texas. My wife is cookln
there Off and on. She'll fix you up
e. sandwich and cup of good coffee"
lie 1t was four o'clock, and the sun bea
TX fercely on the desert. De Spain wake
down to the inn unmindful of the hea