The Lamar register., 1917-07-25

this young mans modesty' ana SOME
thing flattering in his respecliul aulAl'
ration. He seemed, also to hno" ms
place, a fact which was even more III
his favor. Undoubtedly he had force
and ability; probably his love oil ou-
venture and a happy lack of settled
purpose had led him to neglect his
more commonplace opportunities anu
sent him into the Ranger service. rms
man had been denied what she termed
education; therefore she decided TO
put one in his way.
do you like to ready she asked
him.
"Sayi It's my favorlte form Of ex-
ercise." Laws blue-grny eyes were eH-
pressionless, his face was bland
"Why?"
81 have a great many books at Las
Palmas. You might enjoy some OF
them"
"Now that's nice of you, maam.
Mebbe I'll look into this cattle-stealin'
in your nelghborhood. and If do III
sure come bOrrowin'."
"Oh. I'll send you a boNful when l
get back" said Alaire, and Dave
thanked her humbly.
Later, when he went TO move his
mare into a shady spot the Ranger
chuckled and slapped his thigh with
his hat. Bessie Belle, we're going TO
Improve our minds" he said aloud.
"We're going to be literary and read
Pilgrims Progress and Alice in
Wonderland I bet wen enjoy 'em,
eh? But-doggone She's a nice lady,
and your coat is just the same color
as her hair"
Where the shade was densest and
the breeze played most freely, there
Dave fixed u comfortable couch for his
guest, and during the heat of the fore
noon she dozed. But one cannot sleep
well with troplc sun In the heavens,
and since there was really nothing for
her to do until the heat abated, Aluire,
when she awoke, obliged the Ranger
to amuse her.
AS the morning progressed Law
proved himself an interesting cumpuu-
ion, and in spite of the discomforts of
the situation the hours slipped rap
idly. Luncheon was a disagreeable
Allfals ftlAfAA NAlllt lAAF a. Ahe' hHAhh
and the heat devils danced ON the
hills; but the unpleasuntness was Of
brief duration, and Law always man
aged to Danish boredom. Nor did he
seem to waste a thought upon the ma
ture Of that grim business which
brought him to this place. Quite the
contrary, in the afternoon he put his
mare through her tricks for Aluirc's
edifcation, and gossipcd idly Of what
ever Interested his guest.
Then as the sun edged to the west
and Mrs. Austin became restless, he
saddled Bessie Belle and led her down
the gulch into safer covert. Return
ing. he carefully obliterated all traces
of the camp. He watered the nshes Of
the fire, gathered up the telltule scraps
Of paper and fragments of food, and
then when the place suited him fell TO
examining his rifle.
Alaire watched him with interest.
where shall l 60" she asked. "and
what shall l do?"
You just picl, out n good cover be-
yond the water hole and stay there,
ma'am. It may be a long wait, for
something may have happened If so,
wen have TO lie close And don't wur-
ry yourself none, ma'am; he won't
make no trouble"
With the sunset the water hole lay
sleeping.
Alaire's retreat was far from COM
Portable; there was an ants nest some
where near her and she thought of
moving; but suddenly her breath
caught and her heart jumped uncon-
trollably. She crouched lower, for di-
rectly opposite her position. and out
lined against the sky where the sharp
ridge cut it,, was the figure of
mounted man. She was conscious that
n keen and hostile pair Of eyes was
searching the coverts surrounding the
charco.