The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-05-31

you're not in too great a hurry to go
home, you may go with me-"
"That would be fine" he agreed.
"Come, then. I have a horse for
YOU" AS she led the way back toward
the farm buildings, she explained:
I'm selling off a bunch of cattle. Be-
nito is rounding them up and cutting
out the best ones"
"You keep them, I reckon"
"Always. That's how 1 improve the
grade. You will see a splendid herd
of animals, Mr.. Law-the best in
south Texas. I suppose you're inter-
ested in such things"
"Td rather watch a 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 ou%tbuildings, Law be-
held two thoroughbred horses standing
at the hitching rail.
"Tm proud of my horses, too" said
Alalre.
"You have reason to be-" With his
eyes alight, Dave examined the fine
points of both animals. He ran a ca
ressing hand over them, and they rec
ognized in him a friend.
"These beauties were raised on
Kentucky bluegrass. Brother and SIS
ter, aren't they?"
eyes. 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 u Of her."
"Mine? Oh-ma'am! !" Law turned
his eyes from Alaire to the mare, then
back again. "You're too kind. I can't
take her"
"You must"
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 a 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 her"
"Oh, I wouldn't sell her." Then, as
Dave continued to ycarn over the ami
NAL, like a small boy tempted beyond
his strength, Alaire laughed. II owe
you something, Mr.. Law, and q horse
more or less means very little to me-"
He yielded; he could not possibly
continue his resistance, and in his
happy face Alaire took her reward.
The mare meanwhile was doubtfully
nosing her new master, deciding
whether or not she liked him; but
when he offered her a cube Of sugar,
her uncertainties disappeared, and
they became friends then and there.
He talked to her, too, in a way that
would have won any female heart, and
it was plain to anyone who knew
horses that she began to consider him
wholly delightful.
"You do speak their language"
, Alaire said, after she had watched
them for a few minutes. "You nave
!, bewitched the creature" Dave nod
ded silently, and his face was young.
Then, half to herself, the woman MUIR
INJURED, eyes, you have a heart"
II beg pardon?"
"Nothing. I'm glad you like her"
"Do you mind if I call her something
else than Rosa, just to myself?"
"Why, she's yours! Don't you like
the name?"
"Oh, yes! But-seew Dave laid a
finger upon Montrosa's forehead. "She
wears a lone star, and I'd like to coll
her that-The Lone Star"
Alaire smiled in tacit assent; then
when the two friends had completely
established their intimacy, she mount
ed her own horse and led the way to
the roundup.
mistress Of Las Palmas with the keen
est pleasure. He laughed, he hummed
snatches Of songs, he kept up a chat
ter addressed as much to the mare as
to his companion, and under it Mont
rosa romped like a tomboy. 1t was
gratifying to meet with such apprecia-
ton as this; Alaire felt warm and
friendly to the whole world, and de-
cided that out of her abundance she
must do more for other people.
OF course Dave had to tell Of Don
Ricardo's thoughtful gift, and conclud-
ed by saying, II think this must be
my birthday. although it doesn't fit In
with the calendar"
"Don Ricardo has his enemies, but
he is a good-hearted old man."
eyes," Dave agreed. Then, more
gravely, I'm sorry I let him go across
the river" There was a pause. IF
anybody harms him, I reckon I'll have
a feud on my hands, for I'm a grateful
person."
GY h4l:o-~ - --- LL-k -