Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-10-17

mas shortly after the lunch hour. for
he had EO desire to meet young Ed"
However. to his relief, Austin did not
appear, and inasmuch as Alaire did
not refer to her husband in any way,
Dave decided that he must be absent.
The mistress of the big ranch was
In her harness. having at once assumed
her neglected duties. She came to
welcome her caller in a short khaki
riding suit; her feet were incased in
tan boots; she wore mannish felt
hat and gantlet gloves, showing that
she had spent the morning in the
saddle. Dave thought she looked ex-
ceedingly capable and businesslike.
and not less beautiful in these clothes ;
he Toasted his eyes covertly upon her.
II expected you for luncheon" she
smiled; and Dave could have kicked
himself. I'm just going out now. If
you're not in too great a hurry to 60
home, you may go with me-"
"That would be fine," he agreed.
! SOllIt, L nave u uOISe IOE
you" AS she led the way back toward
the farm buildings. she explained !:
'Tm selling off bunch of cattle. Be-
nito is rounding them up and cutting
out the best ones"
"You keep them, reckon"
always. That's how improve the
grade. You will see splendid herd
of animals, Mr.. Law-the best in
south Texas. I suppose you're inter-
ested in such things"
"I'd 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 repr Of the ontbQ.laings, Law be-
held two thoroughbred horses standing
at the hitching rail.
| "I'm proud of my horses, too," said
Alaire.
"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 q friend.
"These beauties were raised on
Kentucky bluegrass. Brother and sis
ter. aren't they?"
"Yes. 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,
mean. You must make another Bessie
Belle out Of her,
"Mine? Oh-ma'am! Law turned
his eyes from Alaire to the mare, then
back again. you're too kind. can't
take her."
"YOu must"
Dave made as II to say something,
but was too deeply embarrassed. Un-
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 q solitary
white star In the center of her fore
head.
"See! She is nearly the same color
fas Bessie Belle"
"Yesm! II want her, ma 'am: I'm
just sick from wanting her, but-won't
you let me buy herr"
"Oh, / wouldn't sell her." Then no
Dave continued to yearn over the ami.
NAL. like small boy tempted beyond
his strength. Alaire laughed. II owe
you something. Mr.. Law, and a 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
1t 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 few minutes. "You have
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 pardonr'
Nothing. I'm glad you like her"
'Do you mind If call her something
else than Rosa, just to myselfY
"Why. she's yours Don't you like
the nameP
"Oh, yesl But-seei" Dave laid q