The Snowflake herald., 1917-06-15


using saddle blanket for a cover
ing, and upon this she lowered herself
stifffy.
II suppose you wonder how hap
pen to be here" she said.
"Now don't talk It'll you're rested,
miss. This coffee is strong enough to
walk on it's hands, and reckon about
two cups of it II rastle you into shape"
AS she raised the tin mug to her lips
he waved a hand and smiled. Drink
hearty!" He set a plate of bread and
bacon in her lap, then opened 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 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 flash
ing teeth showed white against his
leathery tan the woman decided he
was not at all bad-lOoking. He was
very tall and quite lean, with the long
legs of hOrseman-this latter feature
accentuated by his high-heeled boots
and by the short canvas cowboy coat
that reached only to his cartridge belt.
His features she could not well make
out, for the fire was little more than
bed of Goals, and he fed it, Indian
like, with twig or two at a time.
81 beg your pardon. I'm selfish"
She extended her cup and plate as an
invitation for him to share their con-
tents. "Please eat with me-"
But he refused 81 amt hungry" he
affirmed. "Honestr'
Accustomed as 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 announf ed, abruptly. 'He
broke leg, and had to shoot him.
rs there any water in the Grande2"
asked the man.
mo. They told me there was plenty.
knew of this charco, so l made for
it."
''Who told you there was water in
the arroyo"
''Those Mexicans at the little goat
ranch"
GDoI1; CO xo,, 1r,oII~od ;D fror, A.
rOyo Grande. It's a good ten miles
straightaway, and 1 reckon you came
crooked. Eh?"
"Yes And it was very hot. was
never here but once, and-the country
looks different when you're afOot.''
"It certainly does," the man nodded.
Then he continued, musingly: "No wa
ter there eh? l figured there might
be a little" The fact appeared to
please him, for he nodded again as
he went on with his meal. "Not much
rain down here, reckon"
Every little. Where are you from?"
"Me? Hebbronville. 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 boss or a foreman.
After a time she said, 81 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. a
fresh one by Balli's boy in the morn.
ing."
Law shook his head. 81 can't loan
you my horse, miss. got to meet a
man here"
"When will he Gomez"
"He'd ought to be here at early dark
tomorrow evening" Needless of her
dismay. he continued, "Yesm. about
sundown."
But can't stay here. I'll ride to
Balli's and have your horse back b3
afternoon"
'My man might come earlier than !;
expect" Mr.. Law persisted.
"Really, l can't see what difference
it would make. 1t wouldn't interfer
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 feller I'm
expectin' is Mexican, and day before
yesterday he killed a 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 sundown, now that Ar
royO Grande's dry. l was aimin' to
let you ride his horse"
"Then-you're an officer?"
"Yes'm. Ranger. So you see can't
help you to get home till my man
comes. Do you live around here %
The speaker looked up inquiringly, and
after an instant's hesitation the wom-
an said quietly: