Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-03-02


the fire he had arranged seat for her,
using a saddle blanket for cover.
ing, and upon this she lowered herself
stiffiy
Il suppose you wonder how HAP.
pen to be here" she said.
Nov don't talk til you're rested,
miss. This coffee is strong enough to
walk on its hands, and l reckon about
two cups Of it II rastle you into shape"
AS she raised the tin mug to her lips
he waved hand and smiled. Drink
hearty y He set a plate of bread and
bacon in her lap, then opened a glass
jar of jam.
The woman ate and drank slowly.
She was too tired to be hungry, and
meanwhile the young man squatted
upon his heels and watched her
through the smoke from a husk ciga-
rette.
Have you had your supper?" she
finally inquired.
"Who. me? Oh, I'll eat with the
help" He smiled, and when his fash
ing teeth showed white against his
leathery tan the woman decided he
was not at ali bad-looking. He was
very tall and quite lean, with the long
legs Of q horseman-this latter feature
nccentuated by his high-heeled boots
and by the short canvas cowboy coat
that reached only to his cartridge belt.
His features She could not we'll make
tho fro y-ac littIn mara than
q bed Of Goals, and he fed it, Indian
like, with tWig or two at a time.
Il beg your pardon. I'm selfish"
She extended her cup and plate as IN
invitation for him to share their con-
tents. please eat with me"
But he refused. Il amt hungry" he
affirmed. Honest"
Accustomed rs she was to the diff
fidence of ranch hands, she refrained
from urging him, and proceeded with
her repast When she had finished she
lay back and watched him as he ate
sparingly
My horse fell crossing the Arroyo
Grande," she announced, abruptly. He
broke q leg, and l had to shoot him."
as there any water in the Grande?"
asked the man.
mo. They told me there was plenty.
knew of this charco, 50 made for
IT,
"Who told you there was water in
the arroyo?"
Those Mexicans at the little goat
ranch"
"Balli. So you walked in from Ar
royo Grande. It's good ten miles
straightaway, and / reckon you came
crooked. Eh?"
eyes. And it was very hot. l was
never here but once and-the country
looks different when you're afo0t."
at certainly does" the man nodded
Then he continued musingly: "No wa
ter there, eli? | figured there might
be little" The fact appeared to
please him, for he nodded again as
he went on with his meal. mot much
rain down here, I reckon"
Every little. Where are you from?"
"Me? Hebbronvlle. My name is
Law"
Evidently, thought the woman, this
fellow belonged to the East outfit, or
some of the other big cattle ranches
In the Hebbronville district Probably
he was a range bO"s or a foreman.
After time she said, II suppose the
nearest ranch is that Bali placer?
''YeS'm."
I'D like to borrow your horse"
Mr. Law stared into his plate. "Well,
miss, I'm afraid
She added, hastily. "Tll send you
fresh one by Ballis boy in the morn
ing"
Law shook his head. 81 can't loan
you my horse, miss. I got to meet
man here"
"When will he comeW
He'd ought to be here at early dark
tomorrow evening" Needless Of her
dismay, he continued, "Yes'm, about
shutdown"
But can't stay here. I'll ride ia
Ballis and have your horse back bs
afternoon"
"My man might come earlier than ]
expect" Mr.. Law persisted.
REALLY, | can't see what difference
! 1t would make. 1t wouldn't interfere
with your appointment to let me-
Law smiled slowly, and setting his
plate aside, selected a fresh cigarette ;
then, as he reached for a coal, he ex.
planned:
II haven't got what you'd call ex.
actly an appointment. This teller Tn
expectin' is a Mexican, and day before
yesterday he killed man over in Jim
Wells county. They got me by phone
at HebbrOnville and told me he'd left.
He's headin' for the border, and he's
due here about shutdown, now that Ar
royo Grande's dry. I was amin to
let you ride his horse
"Then-you're an of1icer?"
"Yes'm. Ranger. So you see l can't
help you to get home till my man
| comes DO Won live around hara ~